McBlain Books

Little Baby Joe [and] Old Joe's Dream

Gardner, Brother (words)

Boston: J. M. Russell, (c. 1881). Each piece of sheet music: 1 score (Illustrated cover, blank page, 3 pages of music, final page listing music books available from J. M. Russell). 30 cm. Identical comical cover on both songs which was intended for these two songs plus "De Old Folks Waiting," all copyrighted in 1881 by J. M Russell and identified as having been composed by Brother Gardner, President of the Lime Kiln Club, Detroit, Michigan. Brother Gardner and the Lime Kiln Club were fictional creations of Charles Bertrand Lewis, using a pseudonym ("M. Quad"). The Detroit Free Press was the original publisher of Lewis's series of humorous, racially stereotyped sketches lampooning the thinking and actions of African Americans. Syndicated nationally, the racial stereotyping and crude humor found a large, receptive white audience. We do not know whether Mr. Lewis was involved in composing these song. The music for "Little Baby Joe" is credited to M. J. Arthur; the music for "Old Joe's Dream" is credited to C. Alixa. Very Good. Item #90172

Price: $250.00