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Negro Melodies

Music
ca. 1845 (printed and published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Music sheet cover for 'Negro Melodies', performed by the Ethiopian Serenaders, published by D'Almaine, ca. 1845.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleNegro Melodies (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
Music sheet cover for 'Negro Melodies', performed by the Ethiopian Serenaders, published by D'Almaine, ca. 1845.
Physical description
Cover of the sheet music for 'Negro Melodies'. Around the edge are a series of 12 pictorial representations of the songs that feature in the collection of music. In the centre is the title of the collection, and a list of the songs. Publication details at bottom of page.
Dimensions
  • Height: 33.5cm
  • Width: 24.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
'NEGRO MELODIES / SUNG BY / THE / ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS / THE AMERICAN BANJO PLAYERS / CONTENTS / 1. LUCY NEAL / 2. PHILADELPHY GALS / 3. BUFFALO GALS / 4. MY OLD AUNT SALLY / 5. OH GET ALONG HOME / 6. SOME BODY IN DE HOUSE WID DINAH / 7. UNCLE BOWKER / 8. OH! MR COON / 9. DE DANDY BROADWAY SWELL / 10. OLD DAN TUCKER / 11. BOATMAN'S DANCE / 12. JIM CRACK COM / LONDON; D'ALMAINE & CO. 20, SOHO SQUARE. / PRINTED BY STANNARD & CO 7 POLAND ST / Ent Sta Hall / Pr 2/' (Printed on front of cover)
Credit line
Given by John Hall
Object history
NB The term "coon" refers to a demeaning stereotype born out of plantation slavery and applied to African Americans. The term is repeated here in its original historical context.

The term "negro" was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated in this record in its original historical context.
Subject depicted
Literary references
  • Negro Melodies
  • Lucy Neal
  • Philadepphy Gals
  • Buffalo Gals
  • My Old Aunt Sally
  • Oh Get Along Home
  • Some Body In De House With Dinah
  • Uncle Bowker
  • Oh! Mr Coon
  • De Dandy Broadway Swell
  • Old Dan Tucker
  • Boatman's Dance
  • Jim Crack Com
Summary
Music sheet cover for 'Negro Melodies', performed by the Ethiopian Serenaders, published by D'Almaine, ca. 1845.
Collection
Accession number
S.52-2012

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Record createdFebruary 16, 2012
Record URL
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