Sawnee The Human Organ CDV Musical Contraband Performer, Brady Portrait Gallery

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Sawnee The Human Organ CDV Musical Contraband Performer, Brady Portrait Gallery:
$2750.00

Very interesting extraordinarily rare CDV (carte de viste) of Sawnee The Human Organ published by E&H.T. Anthony from a negative in the National Portrait Gallery. It is standing pose taken in Matthew Brady\'s studio wearing a Union uniform given to him by the troops. He appears to be holding a hat and had struck the Napoleon pose. He was not, however, enlisted in the army and was only 4 feet tall. When I first purchased it, several dealers who specialize in Black Americana said the image easily could fetch $10,000 from the right collector.

Robert Criswell a gentleman who lived in Chambersburg PA, found Sawnee living as a homeless person. At this time Sawnee was 18, he had come up from Virginia with Maj General Nathaniel Banks army when Sawnee was 15 years old. Criswell moved toBrooklyn New York. The Cooper Institute was right next door inManhattan. Criswell took Sawnee in, fed and clothed him, and taught him to read.

Sawnee performed in TheRing of Fire, a theatrical performance like a Broadway Review, before the mainacts. Criswell who foundSawnee apparently took him to Brady\'s studio in New York or Washington D.C. to have the portrait taken. He may havepurchased some CDV\'sright away from Brady to use for publicity. Theone offered was printed and published by E&H.T. Anthony from the negative underan agreement Brady had with Anthony.

Sawnee may haveperformed at The Cooper Institute and the Historical Society in Philadelphia and The National Hall. Of course, TheCooper Institute is where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous in 1860 that manyhistorians feel helped him win the election.

A wonderful edition to any collection of blacks associated with the Union army, contraband, and Black Americana. It has been in our collection since 2009 but have decided to offer for sale in order to find the image a new home.

TheHuman Organ

(Column 2)

Summary: Article about \"Sawnee, a contrabandabout 18 years of age,\" who was picked up in Chambersburg by RobertCriswell last year. Criswell, who relocated to Brooklyn, has\"exhibited\" Sawnee, showing off his \"wonderful musicalpowers,\" at a number of places.

(Names in announcement: RobertCriswell, Sawnee)

Full Text of Article:

Sawnee, a contraband about 18 years of age,was picked up in our streets in Chambersburg a little more than a year ago, byMr. Robert Criswell, formerly of this county, but now a resident of Brooklyn,New York. Sawnee was without clothes, habitation, name or employment when Mr.Criswell took him, but he put Sawnee on his farm, learned him to read, and hasat considerable expense, cultivated the little contraband\'s wond\" Sawnee,showing off his \"wonderful musical powers,\" at a number of places.
(Names in announcement: RobertCriswell, Sawnee)

Excerpt: \"Sawnee was without clothes,habitation, name or employment when Mr. Criswell took him, but he put Sawnee onhis farm, learned him to read, and has at considerable expense, cultivated thelittle contraband\'s wonderful musical powers. He can imitate an organ withwonderful correctness, and utters the sweetest musical tones with very littleeffort. He can also imitate with singular fidelity almost every conceivablesound and sings plantation songs in regular southern style. He has beenexhibited to large audiences at the Cooper Institute, New York, the NationalHall, Philadelphia, and at other points\".

He was to have given an entertainment here onFriday and Saturday last, but no room could be obtained. We learn that he willprobably be here again in the course of the Spring and we doubt not that hewill be liberally patronaged [sic]. Summary: Article about \"Sawnee, acontraband about 18 years of age,\" who was picked up in Chambersburg byRobert Criswell last year. Criswell, who relocated to Brooklyn, has\"exhibited\" Sawnee, showing off his \"wonderful musicalpowers,\" at a number of places.
(Names in announcement: RobertCriswell, Sawnee)

“OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

(From the New York Herald,)

Sawnee came with General Banks from Virginia. He isaged about 15, in size about four feet. He patted, sang and danced all sorts ofNegro Jigs, and crowed like a common cock, a Shanghae and a [illeg.], and gaveso admirable a imitation of a fight between two dogs as to madden all thecanines in the neighborhood. But Sawnee’s greatest art is the production of asound like that of the hurdy gurdy and a sweet flute combined. This heaccomplishes with the utmost ease, and gives any tune in his repertoire in finestyle, and with the blending of the bass and tenor wonderful to hear.

(From the New York Tribune,)

This little fellow has a peculiar gift for music; heSings, Dances, and Plays on the violin, and without the aid of artificial meansimitates perfectly the soft sweet tones of the organ, blending the mellow basswith the clear flute-like sounds that characterize that instrument. Thesesounds come from the mouth without a motion of the lips, as though [illeg.]pipes, valves and keys were controlled by invisible fingers, in other words heis a living walking musical machine.

(From the Times,)

There is more fun in this little darkey than in halfof the minstrel bands in the country. Go and witness the entertainment.

(From the Brooklyn Eagle,)

Sawnee is what might be called a Musical Wonder,possessing ventriloquial powers of a very extraordinary character producingtones similar to the mute stop on an organ, keeping up bass and tenor at thesame time. He also plays the violin and sings, and dances in a regular OldVirginia style. $1000 is wagered that his counterpart cannot be found in theworld. After travelling a short time in this country he will proceed toEurope.”

Advertisement: New-York Times, 10 December 1863, 9.

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