Belle of Baltimore. T.W. Strong, [between 1843 and 1866]
A minstrel songster known in only two other copies (and those are either a variant or defective copy). This copy of Belle of Baltimore is remarkable for its intact publisher’s green wrappers and illustrations. The seven woodcuts, all but one depicting African Americans, are located on the cover, frontispiece, title vignette, and four more are scattered throughout the text. Song titles include: “Virginia Juba,” “Jim Crack Corn! I Don’t Care,” “Jim Crow’s Ramble.” Performers referenced include: the Sable Brothers, Charles White, Dan Emmit, T.D. Rice, Wm Laconta.
