Some colleagues may wish to look at Jennifer A Greenhill's (very good) new book, Playing It Straight: Art and Humor in the Gilded Age (Univ California Press). Greenhill is an art historian and she looks at a number of artists of various kinds here (from Homer Winslow to Saint-Gaudens to John Haberle) but she is interested in changing modes of humor in the period and the peculiar cultural drive toward a mixture both of high seriousness and comedy. There's a short section on Thomas Nast but she also refers to Twain on number of occasions throughout the book. Happy Xmas to all. Pete  This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to me, and immediately delete it.   Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment.  Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham.

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