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Title: Wigwam and Forest Compilers: Thomas G. Shepard and Charles Bonney
Publisher: Shepard & Bonney (New Haven)
Printing Year: 1888 First Edition
Condition/Details: Bound in decorated red paper-covered boards and cloth spine, this antique volume is a very rare fraternal piece from the Order of Red Men, who are listed as America's oldest fraternal order. This copy is inscribed on the front free endpaper as belonging to a ""tribe"" from Watkins, New York in 1898. The book contains a collection of songs with titles such as ""Sorry Injun"", ""The Dudesque Brave"", ""Big Injun"", ""Braves March"", ""Return of the Warriors"", and ""War Dance"". The book is dedicated to the Order of Red Men and bears the following dedication on the copyright page:
It is with pleasure that I commend this book to the Order and the public, not only because of its merit but also because I believe such a work is needed and will be useful as well as afford much entertainment. Its compilers, Messrs. Thomas G. Shepard and Charles Bonney, are men of established musical reputation, and are well known as authors, editors and composers. My personal acquaintance with Mr. Shepard has been continuous since 1859. Such another collection of Indian songs and music does not exist to my knowlege, and it deserves to endure. - Sincerely, Henry L. Hill, Past Sachem Hammonassett Tribe, No. 1, Past Great Sachem of Connecticut, and Great Representative Great Council U.S., 1887-8.
The Order of Red Men (today known as the Improved Order of Red Men) is a fraternal organization established in Baltimore, Maryland in 1834. Their rituals and regalia are modeled after those used by Native Americans. The order itself claims direct descent from the Sons of Liberty, noting that the Sons participated in the Boston Tea Party dressed as Native Americans. Thus, they continue to dress as Native Americans and are organized into tribes and such. In the late 1700's, social and benevolent Tammany Societies, named after Tamanend, were formed. The most famous of these was New York City's Society of St. Tammany, which grew into a major political machine known as ""Tammany Hall."" Around 1816, a disenchanted group created the philanthrophic ""Society of Red Men"". From this, the ""Improved Order of Red Men"" was later formed as a working man's drinking group similar to the Odd Fellows fraternal organization. In 1886 its membership requirements were defined in the same pseudo-Indian phrasing as the rest of the constitution: ô Sec. 1. No person shall be entitled to adoption into the Order except a free white male of good moral character and standing, of the full age of twenty-one great suns, who believes in the existence of a Great Spirit, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and is possessed of some known reputable means of support.ö In one 1886 tribe, a member's 12 cent a week dues went into a fund which was used to pay disability benefits to members at a rate of about ""three fathoms per seven suns"" ($3/week) for up to ""six moons"" (6 months) and then two dollars a week. Some medical care (""a suitable nurse"") was available, and also a death benefit of one hundred dollars. The fund was invested in bonds, mortgages, and ""Building Association Stock"". Meetings were weekly on Friday nights. Another associated group was its National Haymakers' Association. (courtesy of Wikipedia)
The songs include both lyrics and sheet music. The volume shows some external age/wear concentrated at the extremities, the lettering and brave in silhouette shows nicely on the front cover. The binding is intact with some play and the pages are clean with some light age toning. The book measures approximately 5.75"" x 8.5"" and contains 64 pages. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50"
