Decorative title-leaf of the sheet music of 'Lucy Neal, Sung with rapturous applause by Messrs. Sweeney and Barlow, in their vocal delineations of Nigger Life, and by the Ethiopian Serenaders, arranged and partly composed by Edward Clare.'

A loose 8vo leaf, roughly 26.5 x 19.5cm. In fair condition, on aged paper, with the edges strengthened with cream paper strips. The cover is decoratively printed, in a variety of types and point sizes. Priced at two shillings, and stated to be entered at Stationers' Hall. At the foot of the page, in capitals: 'The present arrangement is copyright; and the only correct edition of this beautiful negro melody in which the words are faithfully true to the original story, so popular among the negros [sic] in Alabama.' The reverse carries the beginning of the song, by 'Edwd. Clare', scored for piano ('Poco Allegro'), and with the words: 'I liv'd in Alabama, My Massa's name was Meal, He us'd to won a yallar gal, [last two words in italics] Her name was LUCY NEAL. Oh Miss Lucy Neal, My <...>'. Scarce: no copy of this song on WorldCat or COPAC, or in the BL. The words alone feature in 'The Vauxhall Comic Song-Book', ed. J. W. Sharp (1847), with the note: 'Music at Reid's, Baker Street.' The British Library holds another score by Clare, 'Keemo Kimo! Ethiopian Polka and the Lucy Neal Valse', and dates it to 1857. R. Cocks and Co were active from the 1830s to the 1890s.