Jack Downing's Song Book: Containing a Selection of Upwards of Two Hundred of the Most Popular Songs, Many of Which Are New

Antiquarian mini-book from 1839. Approximately 2-3/4 by 4-3/8 inches (7cm by 10.5cm). Poor condition yet still highly collectible. Full leather cover is worn and the corners are bumped. There is a one-inch tear at the head of the spine at the joint with the front cover. Heavy foxing on inside pages. Pages are lose but all pages are accounted for. The sewn binding is loosing, especially on the lower section and is cracked between pages 64/65. 256 pages. There is a penciled name/date on the front paste-down endpaper that reads: Ellen Gamage Her Book 1864, along with some pencil scribbles. On the reverse side of the front free endpaper is a pencil note: this was Mothres Little Book [sic]. The author states he compiled this song book as a presentation to General Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. The actual author is Seba Smith, writing under the fictional character's name of Major Jack Downing who further states in an introductory passage to the president that the book is an effort to counter some negative newspaper articles written about the author. A nice little book from an early political humorist and a piece of American history. Smith's writings were popular circa 1830-1850. Not ex-library. Shelf: C-1.…