Sheet music for Thomas D. Rice's minstrel song "Jim Crow!" with two color illustrations

4pp, measuring 10.25" x 14". London: T. E. Purday, n.d. [ca. 1820-1830s]. Second edition, arranged with an accompaniment for the pianoforte. The music is advertised as the famed song by Rice, performed at the Royal Surrey Theater. The cover of the sheet music depicts Rice wearing the costume of his character "Jim Crow", with his right arm raised and skipping a small dance step. The sheet music is accompanied by two cut out full color racist caricatures of Jim Crow and a woman by Edward Williams Clay. The female was created for Clay's series of cartoons entitled "Life in Philadelphia." Both the sheet music and illustrations have light toning and wear, with some foxing to the music. Very good overall.

Thomas Dartmouth Rice (1808-1860) is considered to be the "father of American minstrelsy" and popularized the traditional slave song, "Jump Jim Crow." He began his career as a traveling actor and created his signature act of Jim Crow in 1832. Rice reached peak popularity between 1832 and 1844, often selling out theater houses and appearing overseas in London. By the late 1830s, the character became a pejorative synonym for African Americans, and the name was used for the "Jim Crow Laws" by southern legislatures at the end of the 19th century.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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