Dixey's Songster

Philadelphia: A. Winch, 1860. Wraps. Good. 12mo. 88pp. Illustration on the front cover of E. W. Dixey in his role in "Pilgrim Fathers". Illustrated with three full page woodcuts of Dixey in various roles, including a repeat of the cover illustration, String bound wraps. Song lyrics without music throughout, most of them either racist or in perceived African-American dialect, or both. Well worn and somewhat stained, some corners turned down, the binding string loose; only a good copy of a scarce and fragile item.

Scarce--OCLC lists only 7 copies, 8 if you count a copy misattributed to Daniel Emmett. Other copies are listed as having 90 pages; this one is complete at 88, but may be lacking the rear cover.

E. Freeman Dixey (1833-1904) was a minstrel player, popular in Philadelphia from 1855-1878, where he performed at Sanford's Opera House, then as Carncross & Dixey's Minstrels, and sometimes as Moran & Dixey's Minstrels. He is regarded as one of minstrelsy's greatest bone players.