Frank Crumit, Victor 21108, Kingdom Coming (Civil War Song) + Bohunkus (Novelty)

$

15

Up for sale is a scarce 10 inch, 78 RPM, shellac record from 1928 featuring two traditional American songs performed by a tenor who specialized in novelty songs and had major ties to The Ohio State University.  It includes a great Civil War tune.  The record is an "Orthophonic Recording" and was electrically recorded (as indicated by the initials VE).

Record Label:  Victor Record Number: 21108 Year of Release:  1928 Artist:  Frank Crumit (Tenor with violin, banjo, guitar and piano)
"A Side" (21108-A) Bonhunkus Wax matrix mark:  21108A (also VE surrounded by an oval)
"B Side" (002B) Kingdom Coming (And the Year of Jubilo) (Henry C. Work) Wax matrix mark:  21108B (also VE surrounded by an oval)
Frank Crumit (1889 - 1943) was born in Jackson, Ohio and was performing in minstrel shows by the age of 5.  He attended Ohio University and then The Ohio State University, where he graduated with a degree in electrical enginneering.  His career was short lived as he was drawn to entertaining.  In his early 20s, he moved to New York to perform in vaudeville; he played the ukelele and was called a "one man glee club".  In 1922 he met musical comedy star Julia Sanderson.  They married after each divorced their current spouse.  Crumit and Sanderson partnered on a series of radio shows and were known as the "Singing Sweethearts of the Air".  As a solo performer, Crumit had a series of novelty hits including "The Gay Caballero" and "Abdul Abulbul Amir", which as Decca W-4200, sold an astonishing 4 million copies.  Crumit also composed about 50 songs including "The Buckeye Battle Cry" which continues to be played before every Ohio State football game.
The song Bohunkus dates at least to the 1850s when it was popular in musical halls.  It tells the story of two brothers, Bohunkus and Josephus, who have a different moral compass and end up in different places.  There are innumerable versions, usually differing in the last line which describes where Josephus (the bad brother) ends up.  Crumit probably heard the tune when he attended Ohio State.  In the version popular on campus, Josephus ended up going to "Michigan".  On the record I am selling, Crumit has Josephus going to "Sing Sing".
The melody of Kingdom Coming will be instantly recognizable as it was featured extensively in the Ken Burns miniseries about The Civil War.  It was a pro-Northern song that tells of a Southern master who flees his plantation in advance of the approaching Union army.  In his absence, his slaves occupy his house and imprison the plantation's overseer.  Please note, however, that the lyrics do contain a word that could be considered offensive.
Please see above for full description of condition and for photos.   Sold as is.
Attention US Buyers:  I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice.  Please note that if you have a Military Mail (e.g. APO) address, I must ask that you pick USPS Priority Mail as it is my understanding that USPS Media Mail is not reliable to Military Mail addresses.
Attention International Buyers:  I will ship by USPS First Class International Mail (to selected countries where E-Delcon is available) or by USPS Priority International Mail (worldwide), your choice.  Please note that the price does not include any customs that may be charged by the country to which this is delivered.  (There are about 35 countries that have e-Delcon service. You can find a list by searching the web for “USPS e-Delcon”. If your country is on the list, but you are not being given the option of purchasing by USPS First Class International Parcel, please contact me before purchasing and I will attempt to change the settings.)