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"Oh! ny name is Darkey Sam...."

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:45.00 USD Estimated At:90.00 - 120.00 USD
 Oh! ny name is Darkey Sam....
Civil War period pro-abolition songsheet, "The Contraband's Adventures," printed by Charles Magnus. Judged pre-Emancipation Proclamation. 5 x 8, hand-colored in seven colors, showing two nattily attired blacks, one wearing cream stovepipe hat, the other in red and blue kepi. Four lengthy stanzas, in black dialect, sardonically describing his imaginary diversion to an abolitionists' meeting, and their attempt to "wash" him white: "Oh! my name is Darkey Sam, I'se a black-eyed contraband; Down on de Chickahominy I was born; But old massa run away, When de Linkum sogers 'Lincoln soldiers] play; So, I started for de Norf in de morn. I soon met wid a man, And he took me by de hand, And brought me to de bobolition meeting...And show dey could wash a nigger white...Leave de colored man alone; For, you're only makin' trouble in de nation...." Quarter-size waterstain at blank top center, very light toning, else fine. Describing Magnus' workshop, "Pre-cut stencil patterns were laid over the black and white designs and women and children, paid at the rate of 8C/ per day, painted the cutouts. These workers seemed to use colors at their own personal whim, so each handcolor design may be unique."--Patriotic expert William R. Weiss.