Bret Harte's popular and widely read poem was originally intended as a parody of the widespread anti-Chinese prejudice which pervaded American society and political debates concerning immigration policy during his lifetime. With its defamatory depiction of the broadly stereotyped title character, however, the poem was quickly embraced for its racist sentiments, much to the author's dismay, by those oblivious to its satirical intent.
"Two hundred and fifty-five copies ... printed in the month of December, nineteen hundred and twenty-four. None are for sale."
Library has no. 136.
Facsim. of original ms. mounted on p. [8].
Title and text within rust ornamental border; initial in green. First and last leaves pasted down.
PML copy has facsim. of 1st ed. (Chicago : Western News Company, 1870), in envelope, pasted inside back cover.
Plain language from truthful James