SAM DeVINCENT COLLECTION OF ILLUSTRATED AMERICAN SHEET MUSIC, ca. 1790 - 1987
#300

Container List

Series 3: AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC, ca. 1828-1980

by: Karen Linn, 1989

Minstrel Shows, to the Civil War, ca. 1828-1864:

Box 63

Folder
A, A - E
B, F - I
C, J - K
D, L - N

Box 64

Folder
E, O - P
F, R - S
G, T - Z

Some of these blackface items date from before the formalization of the minstrel show in the 1840s, however most of the material dates from the 1840s-1850s. Many of the sheets have illustrated lithographic covers. Covers generally refer to specific minstrel performers. All of the items are songs. (ca. 145 items)

Instrumental Minstrel Show Music, to the Civil War ca. 1840-1860:

H, A - E

Box 65

Folder
I, F - Z

All of the items are for solo piano and most are arrangements of songs as theme and variations, quicksteps, etc. A few of the sheets have illustrated lithographic covers. See also 3.1 J. (32 items)

J, Miss Lucy Long, Old Dan Tucker, etc., ca. 1840-1850:

These items are folios of at least two songs. The songs Miss Lucy Long and Old Dan Tucker are especially present. Some arrangements are for solo piano and some are presented as cotillions for dancing (instructions included). (19 items)

K, Wait for the Wagon, 1851-1852: (5 items)

L, Zip Coon, ca. 1834:

The sheets have illustrated lithographic covers. (4 items)

M, Emmett, Daniel Decatur, 1843-1903:

Dan Emmett was a minstrel performer and songwriter; he is the composer for all of these items. Most of the sheets are editions of Dixie's Land or Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel. (9 items)

N, Early Minstrel Troupes, 1844-1849:

A variety of troupes are pictured on the lithographic covers. (13 items)

Buckley's Serenaders, 1849-1874:

Box 66

Folder
O, A - L
P, M - Z


These song covers give performance credit to the early minstrel group Buckley's Serenaders. Many pieces are composed by Frederick Buckley. One sheet is an arrangement for Spanish guitar and voice. (34 items)

Christy Minstrels, ca. 1847-1875:

Q, A - J
R, K - R

Box 67

Folder
S, S - Z


"Melodies as sung by Christy's Minstrels." Most of the items date from the 1840s-1850s. Several sheets are British imprints. Some of the covers feature an illustration of the company. (53 items)

Minstrel Shows, post-Civil War, 1867-1945:

T, A - I
U, J - Z

Most of the material dates from the 1870s to the 1910s. Some items are from shows, but many are about minstrel shows, often a 20th century nostalgic longing for the "good old minstrel show." A few "coon songs" are included. (54 items)

V, Minstrel Show Entertainers, post-Civil War, 1898-1923:

The entertainer's photograph is on the cover. See also 3.1 T-U. (21 items)

Blackface Entertainers, 20th century, ca. 1910-1950:

Box 68

Folder
W, A - I
X, J - Z

Most of these entertainers worked in vaudeville or on the radio. The majority of items date from the 1920s to the 1930s. Also included is one 1945 folio of the radio team Mustard and Gravy. (58 items)

Y, Amos n' Andy, 1925-1978:

Freeman F. Gosden and Charles J. Correll ("Amos 'n Andy") were the most popular radio blackface comedy team. (19 items)

Bernard, Al, ca. 1920-1940:

Z, A - L
AA, M - Z

Box 69

BB, Folios

Bernard was a minstrel entertainer and songwriter. The file includes some professional copy and photocopies. The folios include material and directions for a complete minstrel show and one folio of modern "spirituals" composed by Bernard. See also the 1941 folio in 3.1 EEb. (85 items)

CC, Darcy, Joe, 1918-1931:

Darcy was a blackface singer and occasional lyricist. Some of the items are not blackface material. (22 items)

DD, Dockstader, Lew, 1887-1913:

Most of the sheets have a photograph on the cover of this famous minstrel show performer. Two folios of 1905-1906 are from minstrel show performances. (30 items)

EE, Evans, George ("Honey Boy"), 1909-1913:

(4 items)

Box70

Folder

FF, Clarke's Minstrel Folios, 1932-1941:

These four folios were compiled by Clarke Van Ness. They contain songs, jokes, playlets and stage directions. (4 items)

GG, M. Witmark Minstrel Folios, 1898-1917:

All items were published by M. Witmark and Sons. The amateur minstrel guides give full directions for putting on a minstrel show. Folios from professional shows are song collections. (7 items)

Oliver Ditson, Minstrel Folios, 1882:

HH, Small edition

II, Large edition

Minstrel Songs, Old and New, published by Oliver Ditson. (2 items)

Box 71

Folder

JJ, Paskman, Daily, Minstrel Folios, 1936:

Several printings of the folio from Daily Paskman and his Radio Minstrels. The folios have songs and scripts for complete shows. (3 items)

KK, T.S. Dennison, Minstrel Folios, ca. 1921-1935:

The folios contain opening choruses and finales and song catalogues. (8 items)

LL, Walter H. Baker Co., Minstrel Folios, 1924:

Included are a complete minstrel first part and an overture and finale. (2 items)

Miscellaneous Minstrel Folios, ca. 1905-1953:

MM
NN

These folios have a variety of songs, playlets, jokes, etc. for the complete show. Also included are one folio for voice and banjo and one for voice and guitar. (12 items)

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