Tambo: His Jokes and Funny Sayings
By Bobby Newcomb
Published by Wehman Brothers (copyright 1882)
Did you ever wonder what kind of jokes and stories Mister Tambo told at those mysterious old-time
minstrel shows? If so, then this rare vintage nineteenth century joke book is for
you. Originally published for wannabe minstrels and amateur endmen, the book is steeped with gags, stump speeches, and funny stories.
About the Author
Bobby
Newcomb was a master song and dance man who appeared with many leading
minstrel troupes including: Alhambra Minstrels, Arlington Minstrels,
Backus' Original Minstrels, Carncross & Dixey's Minstrels,
Haverly's Minstrels, Hooley's Minstrels, Raynor-Christy Minstrels, Rumsey &
Newcomb's Campbells, and the San Francisco Minstrels.
He also composed the tune Song with Waltz Chorus in 1877. The song became a hit recording a century later (1970s) by Eddie Coffey in Newfoundland under the title Sweet Forget-Me-Not.
Organized in Two Sections
- Hints to the Minstrel Stage
- Minstrelsy - Past and Present
- Inducements
- To Be Avoided
- What Line To Adopt
- Organization
- The First Part
- The Middle Man
- The Quartette
- Variety, Or Music Halls
- Travelling Companies
- End Men
- Banjo Playing
- Stump Speeches
- Burlesque Ballads
- The Song and Dance
- The Prima Donna
- Burnt Cork
- Costume
- Conclusion
- His Jokes and Funny Sayings
The beautifully
illustrated cover shows a nice drawing of Mister Tambo. Inside are sixty pages of jokes and stories plus four pages of advertisements. The backcover illustration depicts a full minstrel circle (showing two Mister Bones stage right and two Mister Tambos stage left) plus a pit orchestra.
What exactly will you find in this book? Below is a description from a period advertisement that spells out all the details.
This title scarcely conveys the idea of the immense variety of material for minstrel shows that this book presents. It contains, besides many other valuable points, the art of telling funny end-men's stories and gags in a proper manner, how to "spring a joke," etc. Bobby Newcomb, the deceased celebrated minstrel and author of this work, gives in one portion of this book, in clear and simple language, and in full detail, instructions for the amateur, so that any person following them carefully cannot fail to become successful in this branch of the profession. It also contains a large number of "rip-tearing," "hot-time," "side-splitting" jokes and witticisms; a large variety of the latest mirth-provoking talk for Tambo, also the cream of "tried and true" roaring stump speeches, burlesque sermons, etc.
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