Postcard of White Tiger Cub

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Published by Friends of the National Zoo. Photograph by Donna Grosvenor.

Theodore "Ted" Reed (1922-2013) was a former director of the National Zoological Park. Elizabeth Reed was his wife.

Color postcard of a white tiger cub at the National Zoological Park. The cub is on the ground, with pink flowers on the left. The message side has a note about the cub: "Moni, male white tiger, born at the National Zoological Park on March 8, 1970 to Mohini and Ramana. The white color is a mutation and not albinism. White tigers are very rare in collections and none has been seen in the wild since 1951." The message side contains Christmas and New Year's greetings:

"Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year from The Reeds. This is An Unorthodox Christmas Card but we love it. He is Certainly too big to romp in Our yard Now! Planning to spend the holidays at My Mother's in Kansas--a family reunion. Mary Alyce was here for Thanksgiving. Very happy at Carnegie. More boy friends than she has time for!! Mark went to Idaho to see Ted's Mother so we've not seen him since August. Dr. Delacour was at the zoo Monday. Charming as ever. Seems in excellent health for his years. Ted's bongos Are beautiful. One pair bred the day they arrived so we have hope for the New Year!! Love , Elizabeth & Ted"

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection 01-157, Box 1, Folder: Baby Animals and Certificate of Appreciation

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu