[Literature] Dunbar, Paul Laurence. (1872 - 1906)

"A Banjo Song" - Autograph Signed Poem

Autograph manuscript signed, on a 4.5 x 3.5 inch card, four lines of poetry from his poem "A Banjo Song" which was printed in Lyrics of Lowly Life. In full: "Now I think Heav'n be mo' homelike / If we'd hyeah some music fall / F'om a real ol' fashioned banjo, Like my banjo on de wall! Sincerely Yours, Paul Laurence Dunbar." Very fine condition.


A very rare autograph poem from the African-American poet, son of escaped slaves, known for his colorful use of language and dialect, who died of tuberculosis at the age of 33. His Lyrics of Lowly Life, enthusiastically supported by critics such as William Dean Howells, established his reputation. Interestingly, Dunbar has here chosen to quote a less dialectal version than the originally published poem. (8011)
Autograph Letter
Literature