Bert Williams jokebooks, n.d.

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Creator

Williams, Bert, 1875-1922.

Location

Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division

Extent

• 2 vols.

Scope/Contents Note

Volume containing lyrics to twenty songs, two of which, "Nevermo'" and "The Lee Family" were recorded by Williams on Columbia Records in 1915 and 1916 respectively. Second volume, entilted "Anecdotes, Jokes, Axioms, Proverbs, Funsand Puns..." contains over two hundred jokes or "lies" told by Williams and written down by Alex Rogers, a memberof Williams' company. These dialectic stories, all of which contain a flavor of fable and black folklore, are primarily about rural or unsophisticated characters. They were first used by Williams in 1909 when he experimented in vaudeville as a solo performer, and later while Williams was a member of the Ziegfeld Follies.

Biographical/Historical Note

Egbert Austin "Bert" Williams was a comedian, vaudeville performer and actor. He teamed with George Walker from 1895 to 1909 in vaudeville as "Two Real Coons." From 1910-1919 he performed with the Ziegfeld Follies.

Controlled Access Terms

• Williams, Bert, 1874-1922.
• African Americans -- Folklore.
• African Americans -- Music.
• African American wit and humor.
• Vaudeville -- United States.
• African American entertainers.
• Musicals -- History and criticism -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Revues -- History and criticism -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Comedians.

Additional Creator Names

• Williams, Bert, 1874-1922.
• Rogers, Alex, 1876-1930.