-40%

RARE 1901 "A SURE CURE FOR THAT TIRED FEELING" Paper Gag - 1.25" diam Will Denny

$ 15.28

Availability: 32 in stock
  • Condition: see large pictures below
  • Modified Item: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States

    Description

    manbarrel
    RARE 1901
    "A SURE CURE FOR THAT TIRED FEELING"
    "Go way back and sit down"
    Paper Gag --> a mere 1.25" diameter...
    an amazing survivor!
    Ships to US addresses only.
    Estate sale find....
    This is an absolutely stunningly fragile survivor in excellent condition..
    This delicate paper sight gag with tiny miniature chair inside refers to a popular song in 1901 called
    "Go Way Back And Sit Down" sung by Will F. Denny.
    The song was popular through the 1930s.
    The lyrics are decidedly racist.
    A quick google and you find there are many interpretations of the lyrics, particularly politically charged versions.
    You can actually listen to a wax cylinder recording of Denny singing this song by
    going here (and searching for the tune) //cylinders.library.ucsb.edu  (because of ebay rules had to truncate the web address)
    Here are the lyrics:
    GO WAY BACK AND SIT DOWN
    Words, Elmer Bowman. Music, Al Johns.
    New York : F.A. Mills, 1901.
    Performer: Grace Tysou
    Old Sam Jones runs and owns
    A cafe on Easy Street,
    But a coon hangs 'round that he calls down
    That will never ever treat.
    He likes his gin and will "butt in"
    To every argument,
    But when Sam's there, he doesn't dare;
    He acts much different.
    He ain't got nothin', won't do nothing'.
    There's nothing he will try,
    But humiliates and aggravates
    The customers that buy.
    'Twas left to Sam, the proprietor man,
    To find this darkey out,
    And when he did, there was nothing hid.
    Everybody heard Sam shout:
    CHORUS: "Go way back, and sit down.
    Coons in your class are easy found.
    You seldom have money. You never treat.
    Get in your place and take a back seat.
    Go way back and sit down."
    This coon will hear for many a year
    "Go way back and sit down".
    He's got no vim. The shoe fits him,
    Still he keeps on hanging around.
    He still does say there'll come the day
    When better times he'll see.
    If he keeps his health, he'll sure have wealth
    And live in luxury.
    He bet on a horse that always lost,
    The coons all laughed at him.
    But this time it won at a hundred to one,
    Then thousands he "cashed in".
    He left the field in an automobile
    That took him to Sam's place.
    Sam thought he was broke, and started to joke,
    So he told Sam to his face: CHORUS
    That this little box was not crushed or destroyed over its approximate 115 year life is hard to believe... a very, cool  item!
    I've never seen one of these before -
    am guessing the age based upon the typefont and fancy flowered paper... you be the final judge!
    See my other listings for more interesting collectibles of all kinds!
    Sold as-is. No returns. All sales final.
    Please pardon any dust or apparent flaws seen in the pictures.
    Selling my collection to pay for Grad School tuition:
    Check out my other listings for more hard to find collectibles of every type.
    Some or most of my items have come from barns, old houses and estate sales...
    UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED,
    I MAKE
    NO CLAIMS
    AS TO ITEMS being "SMELL-FREE" or
    HAVING COME FROM SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS!
    Emailed questions always welcomed!
    FAST Shipping!
    Check my perfect positive feedback!
    Shipping discount for multiple orders.
    I make no profit on shipping... you will always be refunded any significant overcharges incurred because of my estimates.