The TEN LITTLE MULLIGAN GUARDS Childrens Book/Game 1873 Black Americana REDUCED

Offered here is an ORIGINAL and EXTREMELY RARE 1873 Edition of THE TEN LITTLE MULLIGAN GUARDS published by McLoughlin Brothers, New York. Ive seen a listing that mistakenly listed this as 1878, but it is actually 1873 as listed on the first page gutter notice of publication. This is an early and highly collectible piece of Black Americana. The highlights of the book are the thirteen beautiful chromo-lithographs which are printed on one side of the page only. Backside of each page has no printing on it.

They are really striking artistically, with a bold use of color and subject matter. There is one black member of the Mulligan Guards that appears in all but one of the pages. This soft cover book measures approx. 11" x 9" and is complete, with 16 color chromo-lithographic pages (including covers). A very rare McLoughlin book and game combination (with instructions on last page) with musical notation along with a rhyme similar to the Ten Little Indians.

The story follows as the Mulligan Guards march along, losing one Guard on each page, until there are none. The book can be read as a story in verse or used for playing "The Game of The Ten Little Mulligans". A musical score accompanies the story.

Every page is illustrated with bright chromo-lithographs (printed on one side only) showing the one by one depletion of the Mulligan ranks. Prominently featured in almost each illustration is the token black boy who carries the banner and is the only survivor. CONDITION: Complete, with general wear and tear, but amazingly bright color and acceptable condition throughout.

Damage includes: Names written on the front cover, vertical fold at the right side of the front cover, two corner crops (2" & 1.5" respectively) at the lower left & right corners of the back cover. Edge wear, chunking, rubbing and a few small tears.

The sparse stitching is very loose and barely holding the book together. In fact, the first few pages of the book are loose and detached from the binding. All-in-all, still a complete and vibrant copy of this rare find. Please see photos to better assess condition.

The item "The TEN LITTLE MULLIGAN GUARDS Childrens Book/Game 1873 Black Americana REDUCED" is in sale since Tuesday, May 03, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Black Americana\Books". The seller is "popbotics" and is located in Los Gatos, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country//Region of Manufacture: United States