Sale 2503 - Printed & Manuscript African Americana, March 28, 2019

344 343 343 c   (MUSIC.) Carte-de-visite of the conjoined twin performers “Millie Christine, the Two Headed Nightingale.” Albumen photograph, 3 1 / 4 x 2 1 / 4 inches, on original printed mount with photographer’s backmark; minor wear. New York: Oliviere & Co., circa 1882 [300/400] Born into slavery in North Carolina, Millie and Christine McCoy (1851-1912) were taken from their parents before their first birthday and exhibited across the country in circuses and freak shows. They reached their peak of fame after emancipation, performing with Barnum’s circus and touring Europe as novelty musicians. 344 c   (MUSIC.) Joplin, Scott. Please Say You Will. 5 pages, 13 x 9 1 / 2 inches, on 3 detached leaves; minimal wear and toning. Syracuse, NY: M.L. Mantell, 1895 [800/1,200] The first printing of Joplin’s first published piece of music, released on 25 February 1895. Touring with the Texas Medley Quartette in Syracuse, NY, he attracted the interest of a publisher. “Please Say You Will” is a waltz-time composition which foreshadows Joplin’s later ragtime hits. His second published work, “A Picture of her Face,” would follow in July 1895. OCLC locates only a single copy at the New York State Library. We have traced no other copy at auction.