coon (n.)

A popular abbreviation of raccoon, 1742, American English. It was the nickname of Whig Party members in U.S. c. 1848-60, as the raccoon was the party's symbol, and it also had associations with frontiersmen (who stereotypically wore raccoon-skin caps), which probably ultimately was the source of the Whig Party sense (the party's 1840 campaign was built on a false image of wealthy William Henry Harrison as a rustic frontiersman).

The now-insulting U.S. meaning "black person" was in use by 1837, said to be from barracoon (by 1837), from Portuguese barraca "slave depot, pen or rough enclosure for black slaves in transit in West Africa, Brazil, Cuba." If so, no doubt this was boosted by the enormously popular blackface minstrel act Zip Coon (George Washington Dixon) which debuted in New York City in 1834. But it is perhaps older (one of the lead characters in the 1767 colonial comic opera "The Disappointment" is a black man named Raccoon).

Also, in Western U.S., "a person" generally, especially a sly, knowing person (1832). Coon's age is 1843, American English, probably an alteration of British a crow's age. (Crows are famously long-lived. Compare Greek tri-koronos "long-lived," literally "having three times the age of a crow." But raccoons are not.) Gone coon (1839) was used of a person who is in a very bad way or a hopeless condition.

raccoon (n.)

Also racoon, c. 1600, arocoun, from Algonquian (Powhatan) arahkun, from arahkunem "he scratches with the hands." Early forms included Capt. John Smith's raugroughcum. In Norwegian, vaskebjørn, literally "wash-bear."

Gullah

"of or pertaining to blacks on the sea-islands of Georgia and South Carolina," 1739 (first attested as a male slave's proper name), of uncertain origin. Early 19c. folk etymology made it a shortening of Angola (homeland of many slaves) or traced it to a West African tribal group called the Golas.

Source: https://www.etymonline.com/

HOT TOPIC HOT TOPIC HOT TOPIC BLACK AMERICANA African American Children's Literature of the Late 19th Century

Click: Show me this book! Author: Edward Windsor Kemble Title: A Coon Alphabet (1898) Details: Soft cover replica, 56pps, (5" x 6.5" aprox.) B/W reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 36.95 Add $6.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $28.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	Click: Show me this book! Author: Edward Windsor Kemble Title: Comical Coons (1898) Details: Soft cover replica, 32pps, (7.5" x 10" aprox.) B/W reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 38.95 Add $6.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $28.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	About us: Complete details are at the bottom of the page.
Click: Show me this book! Author: Edward Windsor Kemble Title: Kemble's Coons : A Collection of Southern Sketches (1897) Details: Soft cover replica, 34pps, (9" x 8" aprox.) Sepia colored reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 39.95 Add $6.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $28.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	Click: Show me this book! Author: Edward Windsor Kemble Title: Coontown's 400 (1899) Details: Soft cover replica, 64 pps, (9.5" x 8" aprox.) B/W reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 64.95 Add $7.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $32.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	Click: Show me this book! Author: Edward Windsor Kemble Title: The Blackberries (1897) Details: Soft cover replica, 58 pps, (10" x 8" aprox.) B/W + COLOR reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 72.95 Add $7.95 First Class S/H inside USA Add $34.95 for International S/H Worldwide.
Click: Show me this book! Creator: McLoughlin Brothers - Publishers Title: Ten Little Niggers (sic) (1894) Details: Soft cover replica, 16 pps, (8" x 7" aprox.) Full color reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 34.95 Add $6.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $28.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	These books have been faithfully reproduced for historical purposes of study, usage of various dialects, and the sociology of the era. They feature affluent blacks, respectful ideals and strictly people of color in the United States in of America the late 19th century. Throughout the history and entomology of the use of the word "nigar", "nigur", "negre" and later "negro" and "nigger" -- the word has always had mixed meanings and usages. Including "traveler", "worker", "friend" -- a common colloquialism used without deliberate intention of assault. Out of the mouth of person of color -- it is most often a term of endearment, on the other hand, from almost anyone else it is perceived as a derogatory slur. -- Thusly, some of the contents may be considered racist today. -- Yet clearly history shows it all depends on the context of intention. ... We shouldn’t forget that these works were specifically meant for children of color to learn, and to read, and to rise above their former status, as part of their civil rights and are Afro-centric in nature. The “world” depicted in these stories does not include any other race, and more specifically no white people. They are non-disparaging in nature, dialect and show people doing everyday things. As W. E. B. Du Bois championed, founder of the NAACP, they show people of color in a good light, uplifting, fun and with bright personalities. They often represent the Gullah language used in ordinary or familiar conversation, with upscale attire of the era and slapstick style comedic humor. These books make fun of situations and mark the temperament of the times, while teaching children to enjoy reading. No different from children's literature today. To erase these first steps towards equality, due to the temperament of modern times, would be a travesty. — Most respectfully, The Publishers. Useful https://www.etymonline.com/word/nigger References https://muse.jhu.edu/article/620987
Click: Show me this book! Creator: Louise Quarles Bonte, Willard Bonte illustrators. Raphael Tuck and Sons, publishers. Title: My Honey's ABC (1899) Details: Soft cover replica, 12 pps, (9.5" x 7" aprox.) Full color reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 26.95 Add $6.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $28.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	Click: Show me this item! Creator: Neile Edwards and Wallace C. Chambers Title: Hold Dat Train (1908) SHEET MUSIC Details: Soft cover replica, 4 pps, (10.5" x 8" aprox.) Full color + b/w reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 24.95 Add $6.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $28.95 for International S/H Worldwide.	Click: Show me this book! Creator: Louise Quarles Bonte and Willard Bonte Title: My Honey's ABC (1899) Details: Soft cover replica, 54 pps, (7.5" x 8.5" aprox.) Full color reproduction, same as original. Price: US $ 64.95 Add $7.50 First Class S/H inside USA Add $34.95 for International S/H Worldwide.

Trade Catalogs, Leaflets and Brochures Wholesale samples merchandise catalogs from the19th Century through the early 20th century.

Early Children's Literature Children's books from the19th Century through the mid 20th century.