Black Americana
“I…KNOW A GOOD DEAL ABOUT THE NEGROES…AND MY OBSERVATION SATISFIES ME THAT, LIKE OTHER MEN, THE NEGROES ARE AS THEY ARE TREATED. … [SOUTHERN PLANTERS] ARE AMAZED AT THE POLITICAL CAPACITY AND THE MORAL GREATNESS EVINCED BY PEOPLE WHOM THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO CONSIDER LESS THAN HUMAN.”
MARTINEAU, HARRIET. (1802-1876). English essayist, novelist, journalist, and economic and historical writer who was prominent among English intellectuals of the 19th Century; one of the first female writers to support herself by her own talent; considered the first female sociologist; observed a link between slavery and the oppression of women’s rights; considered one of the first feminists. Remarkable Autograph Letter Signed, “H. Martineau”. Eight full pages, small octavo. Ambleside, January 5, 1866.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS — POSSIBLY UNIQUE SIGNED CARTE-DE-VISITE PHOTOGRAPH — TAKEN BY ABOLITIONIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER — JOHN HURN, WHO HELPED DOUGLASS ESCAPE TO CANADA, AFTER JOHN BROWN’S ARREST AT HARPER’S FERRY
DOUGLASS, FREDERICK. (1817-1895). The most prominent African American abolitionist, orator, journalist and antislavery leader of the 19th century. Superb, and unquestionably extremely-rare Signed Carte-de-visite Photograph. Douglass is depicted in a 4/5 full face, bust pose.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ASKS: “AS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL NEGRO BUSINESS LEAGUE…HAVE YOU ANY SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE?”
WASHINGTON, BOOKER T. (1856-1915) African American educator. Typed Letter Signed, “Booker T. Washington,” on The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute / for the Training of Colored // Young Men and Women letterhead. One page, quarto. “December 20, 1905”
ANDREW JACKSON ORDERS THAT PROVISIONS BE PROVIDED FOR “NEGRO BOB” – A FINE PRESIDENTIAL / BLACK-AMERICANA ITEM FROM 1813
JACKSON, ANDREW. (1767-1845). Seventh President of the United States (1829-37). Interesting, and historically important, Manuscript Document Signed, “Andrew Jackson, Major Genl”. One page, oblong narrow octavo. No place, March 31, 1813.
EUGENE O’NEILL, EXPRESSES HIS ADMIRATION FOR PAUL ROBESON — BUT STILL POLITELY REFUSES TO WRITE THE INTRODUCTION TO THE BIOGRAPHY OF ROBESON, WRITTEN BY MRS. ROBESON
O’NEILL, EUGENE. Good Typed Letter Signed, “Eugene O’Neill”, on imprinted Le Plessis, Saint-Antoine Du Rocher stationery. One page, quarto. No place, February 19, 1930.