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Knickerbocker Junior minute book

 Collection
Identifier: MS-0601

Scope and Contents

Humor and an eclectic literary style pervade this satirical manuscript which presents itself in the form of the "minutes" of a meeting of The Knickerbocker Junior, a New York City literary society. Beginning with a humorous roll-call from a list possibly based on a few real people, the supposed minutes follows a series of literary compositions or declamations including a poem in iambic hexameter, a possibly original, humorous patriotic song, a backwoods tale of "Vermount" (Vermont?), and curiously some selected verses from the medieval religious hymn Pange, Lingua Gloriosi. The satirical manuscript's references to an "Anonymous Reader" suggest it was created as a literary invention with authorship unknown. Internal references to "West College" and a "Philomathean Society" suggest a connection to Schenectady's Union College. The manuscript is datelined in New York City and the "Knickerbocker" name links it to New York State. Patriotic appeals and backwoods humor situate this literary satire in the waning years of the early American Republic.

Dates

  • Creation: 1835 March 3

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is located at the George Peabody Library. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (1 volume)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was acquired in October 2012.

Physical Description

(New York City, March 3rd 1835) Manuscript "Minute Book". 6.25 x 7.75 inches, double stitched, plain, white paper wrappers, 10 leaves containing 20 manuscript pages.

Processing Information

This is no known processing information for this collection.

Source

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA