"STRIP A MAN'S BACK AND PINCH HIS BELLY, AND YOU HAVE A PRETTY GOOD TEST OF HIS PATRIOTISM": FIRST EDITION OF BRICKTOP'S COMIC HISTORY OF AMERICA, 1884

(AMERICANA). Bricktop's Comic History of America. New York: J.B. Collin, 1884. Octavo, staple-bound as issued, original pictorial beige paper wrappers; pp. 64. $700.

First edition of this illustrated comic (and heavily fictionalized) history of the United States from Western discovery to the end of the Civil War, in original wrappers.

Part of publisher J.B. Collin's "Celebrated Laughing" series, this brief book is intended to offer a comical take on U.S. history, lampooning some of its most prominent historical personalities (Columbus, Washington, etc.) and the events that made them famous. Notably, this work reveals complex contemporary attitudes about Native Americans and Black Americans, sometimes using humor to mock historical controversies, but just as often relating bigoted stereotypes. With numerous illustrations by New York illustrator and Currier & Ives artist Thomas Worth.

Scattered foxing to text and wrappers, a few faint stains and light wear to wrappers, small chip to rear wrapper affecting top corner of adjacent page, chipping to spine. An extremely good copy.