A very rare, textually complete example of an early “Ethiopian” Minstrel songster, claimed by the publisher to be the most complete to date.
Songs include one by Sam Rich for Mr. Morris' Olio Company, viz., Negro Melodies, Boatman's Dance, De Genteel Fine Ol' Nigger, Oh! Mr. Coon, Jimmy get your Hoe Cake done, Old Dan Tucker, Mrs. Tucker, Wild Goose Nation, A Niggars Reasons, Such a Dancing of the Niggars, Jim Crow's Rambles, Zip Coon, De Broken Shin, I don't know about that, Negro Parody, Jim along Josey, and De Wild Raccoon Track.
Includes all three called for woodcuts.
Published while Naffis & Cornish were printing at 278 Pearl Street, i.e. between 1844 and 1848.
[Negro Minstrelsy]. Nigger Melodies [Negro in contents and Nigga on the song itself, but the original wrap as titled]; Being the Only Entire and Complete Work of Ethiopian Songs extant. New York. Nafis & Cornish. c.1844-1848.
Fair only. Textually complete, though handled. Rear wrap present, front absent. Not at auction since 1919.
