Written by an authority on the subject of black collectibles, this book on the history of the Golliwog is profusely illustrated throughout.

Created in 1895, the Golliwog, a fascinating and somewhat controversial character, has delighted and amused many children and adults. No one would have thought that this rag doll would be so popular. As a result of its popularity, over the last 100 years a myriad of publishers, manufacturers and advertisers have produced countless items bearing the golliwog's likeness attesting to its immense success. Author Clinton Derricks is an authority on golliwog dolls and an avid collector. His collecting has given him a double-edged fascination with both the history of an important nineteenth and twentieth century toys, and also the different messages that this toy and its representations carry. Many view golliwogs as an important segment of black social history in the western world; others find that these images are similar to certain social environments which have caused a negative image of blacks to be perpetrated, whether in books such as "Little Black Sambo", or in advertising and entertainment.