{"product_id":"13738-african-americana-dance-hancock-john-original-engraving-of-the-1793-equality-ball","title":"[African-Americana] [Dance] [Hancock, John. (1736-1793)] Original Engraving of the 1793 Equality Ball","description":"A very interesting original print showing John Hancock shaking hands with an African-American man at the \"Equality Ball\" given by Hancock in Boston in 1793. While other African-American men and women dance and one plays the violin, the governor warmly greets a man named Cuffey. Meanwhile, another white man in the corner holds his nose. The engraving appeared in \u003ci style=\"\"\u003eThe Echo, with other Poems \u003c\/i\u003e(1807), an illustrated collection of poems by a group of \"wits\" including one satirizing the event. The caption is excerpted from the poem, which mocks free people of color's way of speaking: \"While CUFFEY near him takes his stand, \/ Hale-fellow met, and grasps his hand-- \/ With pleasure glistening in his eyes, \/ 'Ah! Massa Gubbernur!' he cries, \/ 'Me grad to see you, for de peeple say \/ 'you lub de Neegur better dan de play.' \u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr style=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003eEngraved by Leney after Tisdale and captioned \"Page 66. Echo 10.\" Overall foxing and toning, with three pen strokes at the upper right and two small mounting remnants; overall in very good condition. 7.5 x 4.75 inches (18.9 x 12.4 cm).\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr style=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003eSee: Robert H. Gudmestad, 'Dance,' in \u003ci\u003eEncyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895: From the Colonial Period to the Age of Frederick Douglass\u003c\/i\u003e, pp. 363-366.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"\"\u003eJoanne Pope Melish, \u003ci\u003eDisowning Slavery: Gradual Emancipation and 'Race' in New England, 1780-1860.\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46093527842975,"sku":"13738","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/4826\/7423\/files\/Af-Am_Equality_Ball_Engraving_13738_001-rotated-270.jpg?v=1722188619","url":"https:\/\/www.schubertiademusic.com\/products\/13738-african-americana-dance-hancock-john-original-engraving-of-the-1793-equality-ball","provider":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}