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The Wonderful Doctor

1877
Artist/maker unknown, French Published by Yves et Barret (French, active 1870s)
In addition to spawning characters in opera, the bravado of itinerant quacks also inspired themes for popular music. On the cover of this eight-page annual almanac of fashionable tunes are printed the lyrics of a comic song, "Le Docteur Mirifique." The title character is pictured above proclaiming the exemplary virtues of his product from his chariot. The printed verses include a two-line chorus-"D'zing! boum! boum! D'zing! malatapoum!"-that perfectly captures the tinny syncopated rhythms of the tune banged out by a musician seated on top of the cab.

Object Details

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