WARMLY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY ARNA BONTEMPS

BONTEMPS, Arna. 100 Years of Negro Freedom. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1961. Octavo, original blue cloth, original dust jacket. $1800.

First edition of this cultural history, with eight pages of black-and-white photographic portraits, presentation copy inscribed in the year of publication by Bontemps on the front free endpaper: "For John and Elise, because—as the man said—there are not many John Hopes anywhere, With all the best, Arna Bontemps, June 24, 1961. Fisk."

"Bontemps' historical interests also led him to write 100 Years of Negro Freedom (1961) and to edit Great Slave Narratives (1969) and The Harlem Renaissance Remembered (1972). He also edited a popular anthology, American Negro Poetry (1963), just in time for the black reawakening of the 1960s… the impact of his work as poet, novelist, historian, children's writer, editor, and librarian is far greater than the sum of its parts. He played a major role in shaping modern African-American literature and had a wide-ranging influence on African-American culture of the latter half of the 20th century" (ANB). Bontemps also served as the Librarian of Fisk University. Recipient John Hope II and his wife Elise were noted civil rights advocates; John's father was renowned civil rights activist John Hope, President of Morehouse College from 1909-36.

Book fine, dust jacket with toned spine and minor soiling to rear panel, near-fine. A lovely inscribed copy with a nice provenance.