Cake Walk

Pamphlet containing sheet music for 'American Cakewalk' by the German composer Paul Lincke (1886-1946). The cover features illustrations of women dancing in couples, dressed in fine dresses and large hats. Text on the back cover explains the history of Cakewalk. Cakewalk is style of dance originating from dance competitions, or prize walks, held on slave plantations in Southern United States in the mid 1800s. The winning couple recieved a cake as a prize, leading to the name 'Cakewalk'. The dance was in part a mockery of white plantation owners; it was later adopted into minstrel acts. Published by A Tutkhail, St Petersburg. Fair condition, restored tear, tears, staining, creasing. Red and blue ink stamps on the front cover, pencil writing on the cover.