Details
Creator Sharp, William, 1803-1875, artist.
Contributor W. Sharp & Co., printer.
C. Bradlee & Co., publisher.
Title Harmoneons Carolina melodies arranged for the piano forte. [graphic] / W. Sharp; W. Sharp & Co. lith.
Publisher Boston : Published by C. Bradlee & Co., 184 Washington St
Publisher MASS. Boston. 1845
Date 1845
Physical Description 1 print : lithograph, tinted with two stone ; sheet 38 x 27 cm (14 x 10.75 in.)
Description Sheet music cover showing the minstrel group, the Harmoneons, in Blackface as a musical group playing in a tropical setting. The four men and one man dressed as a woman are seated and play instruments, including a triangle, fiddle, banjo, tambourine, and clappers. The men are attired in button-down, yellow striped shirts and white pants, and the woman in a short-sleeved, red and white dress. Palm trees, a mountain side, and ocean are visible in the background. The entertainers' and their characters' names are printed below the image: Js. Power as Toney; M. S. Pike as Fanny; L. V. N. Crosby as Pomp; F. Lynch as Gumbo; and Jno. Power as Sambo. The Harmoneons, founded by Crosby and originally managed by J. Simmons Davis, were one of the earliest minstrel troupes in the United States and were active into the 1860s.
Blackface minstrelsy is a popular entertainment form, originating in the United States in the mid-19th century and remaining in American life through the 20th century. The form is based around stereotypical and racist portrayals of African Americans, including mocking dialect, parodic lyrics, and the application of Black face paint; all designed to portray African Americans as othered subjects of humor and disrespect. Blackface was a dominant form for theatrical and musical performances for decades, both on stage and in private homes.
Notes Title from item.
Date from copyright statement: Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1845 by C. Bradlee & Co. in the clerk's office of the District Cou[rt].
Title list of scores printed on recto.
Facsimile signature of minstrel L. V. N. Crosby printed on recto. LCP copy contains partial signature.
Gift of Michael Zinman, 2009.
Description of Blackface minstrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021.
Lower corners missing.
RVCDC
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Subject Harmoneons.
African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Blackface entertainers -- United States.
Cross dressing.
Minstrel shows.
Percussion instruments.
Racism in popular culture.
Stringed instruments.
Female impersonators.
African American History
Queer history.
Genre Lithographs -- Tinted -- 1840-1850.
Sheet music covers -- 1840-1850.
Printer C. Bradlee & Co., publisher.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| GC - Entertainment - H [P.2009.25]
Accession number P.2009.25