WHAT GRANDPA LAUGHED AT

A thumbing through the sources of American humor, from 1893 through 1916, as magazines, Lyceum performances, almanacs, newspapers, writers, and jokesmiths are researched for the type and quality of humor through these years. This catalogs the topics of the times that lent themselves to funny reference, indicates the fashions that prompted comment from the humorists, the origins of jokes still being used today. It follows chronologically the funny men in vogue who were read and quoted during this period, it has personal comments by Croy on the changes in humorous trends, and it provides a carefully selected assortment of the jokes illustrating each year's crop. An interesting collection that is more than just a joke book and that has its place in Americana sections.