The heathen Chinee / by F. Bret Harte ; illustrated by Joseph Hull.

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.
Title from printed envelope.
Caption title on plate no. 1 reads: Plain language from Truthful James.
9 loose lithographed plates illustrating Harte's poem, printed on heavy paper on one side and numbered 1 through 9 at upper left.
First (unauthorized) separate printing of Harte's poem which originally appeared in The overland monthly (September 1870).
Library's copy lacks the publisher's printed envelope.
Library's copy housed in burgundy slipcase.