A Collection of Revival Hymns and Plantation Melodies. Musical Composition by Miss Josephine Robinson by TAYLOR, Marshall W., D.D - 1882

Cincinnati: M.W. Taylor and W.C. Echols, 1882. Hardcover. Very Good. First edition. Copied by Miss Amelia C. and Hettie G. Taylor. Octavo. 262pp., engraved frontispiece portrait, many musical scores. Elaborately gilt front cover diptych contrasting "slave days" with "freedom days." Bottom corner of the title page lacking affecting a few words, rear fly lacking, else a very good copy. One of the earliest compilations of hymns and melodies compiled by an African-American, including "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Go Down, Moses," "Roll, Jordan, Roll," and over 150 others compiled by the father of the bicycle racing champion Marshall Taylor. The author, Marshall Taylor (Sr.), a clergyman, was born free, while both his wife, the supervisor of this project, and Robinson, the composer, were born enslaved. A scarce title.