Japanese Tommy, between 1855 and 1865. Creator: Unknown. # 2909231

2-909-231 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Japanese Tommy, between 1855 and 1865. [African-American entertainer, sometimes billed as the African 'Tom Thumb' and the 'African Dwarf Tommy'. Dilward's stature may have allowed him to appear on stage with whites at a time when almost no black men did. He sang, danced and played the violin, and is thought to have invented the word 'hunky-dory'. His stage name of Japanese Tommy may have been intended to hide his ethnic background].

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