Fagin checking his treasure

Postcard shows a scene from the novel, "Oliver Twist", written by Charles Dickens in 1837-8.
The image depicts Fagin, a pickpocket and miser of Jewish descent, examining his concealed valuables under the veil of night, believing everyone else is asleep. Nearby, Oliver, the young boy forcibly brought into Fagin's gang of juvenile delinquents, observes from his bed. Fagin's portrayal is marred by anti-Semitic undertones and the reinforcement of negative Jewish stereotypes.
He is often referred to simply as "The Jew," and his character is characterized by traits of greed, cruelty, and the abduction of young children, whom he trains to become thieves. He is also referred to as the "Old One", meaning the Devil.
Charles Dickens, the author, justified this characterization by suggesting that if he were to create a character involved in fencing stolen goods, that character would have to be of Jewish origin because, in his view, such criminals were predominantly Jewish.

Artist: Arthur Moreland. The link is to "Postcard History" newsletter.
Publisher: Samuels Ltd, London, England
Printer:
Date: Early Divided Back Era

Rarity: ☝ Not common

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