CIVIL RIGHTS & AFRICAN AMERICANS
A
FORMER SLAVE WHO BECAME THE FIRST BLACK TO SERVE A FULL TERM IN THE U.S.
SENATE
BRUCE, BLANCHE KELSO (1841-1898). Born a slave, Bruce studied at Oberlin College (1866-68) and became a planter and politician in Mississippi. In 1875 Bruce was elected to U.S. Senate on Republican ticket and served until 1881, becoming the first Black to serve a full term and the last Black elected to the U.S. Senate for 92 years until Edward W. Brooke (R. Mass.) was elected in 1966. Served as U.S. Register of the Treasury (1881-89, 1895-98) and Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia (1889-95). DS, on verso (complete in itself), 4to, being recordation information for a legal document. Signed by Bruce (B.K. Bruce) as Recorder of Deeds. A scarce and highly desirable Black autograph. Rare in any form. ....[10886]........$595.00
POSSIBLY UNIQUE SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
CARVER, GEORGE WASHINGTON
(1864-1943). Black Am. botanist. Son of a slave, he led an itinerant early
life and obtained an education by his own efforts; B.S. (1894) and M.S. in
Agriculture (1896) from Iowa State. He was the Director of the Agriculture
Dept. and of agricultural research at the Tuskegee Inst. from 1896. He
promoted crop diversification among Southern farmers, especially growing
peanuts, soy beans and other soil enriching crops. He developed over 300
derivative products from peanuts, and 118 from sweet potatoes. He won the
Spingarm Medal in 1923. He is also a member of the Am. Hall of Fame. EXTREMELY
RARE 3" X 5" B&W SP, SIGNED ON MOUNT "GEO. 
W. CARVER,
6-2-1937" The photograph is a 3/4 length candid printed
snapshot showing him outdoors; mounted to card stock. Handsomely framed.
Carver never sent out signed
photographs. Provenance: From
the largest signed photograph collection in the world which was recently
broken up. This piece is illustrated in a reference work of signed
photographs. The 1994 Sanders Price Guide to Autographs lists no price
for a Carver SP, meaning they could find no record of one having ever come
on the market. Possibly unique and a museum quality piece.
....[9244]...+....$3495.00
RARE SIGNED PHOTO OF GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
CARVER, GEORGE WASHINGTON (1864-1943). Am. Negro botanist. He was born of slave parents in Missouri and stolen with his mother and carried into Arkansas. Despite great adversity and hardship he received an education. He taught at Tuskegee Institute from 1896. He is known especially for his research in the industrial uses of the peanut which he is largely responsible for introducing
into the South. Signed printed photograph showing Carver shaking hands with F.D.R. Signed on the mat “Geo. W. Carver”. Carver never sent out signed photographs. However, someone wisely mounted this photograph to heavy card stock and got Carver to sign it. The only other known SP of Carver was once a part of the world’s largest collection of signed
photographs. Scattered light foxing. A gem and a museum quality piece...
..[11941].+...$1500.00
RARE SIGNED PHOTO OF GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
CARVER, GEORGE WASHINGTON (1864-1943). Am. Negro botanist. He was born of slave parents in Missouri and stolen with his mother and carried into Arkansas. Despite great adversity and hardship he received an education. He taught at Tuskegee Institute from 1896. He is known especially for his research in the industrial uses of the peanut which he is largely responsible for introducing into the
South. He
promoted crop diversification among Southern farmers, especially growing
peanuts, soy beans and other soil enriching crops. He developed over 300
derivative products from peanuts, and 118 from sweet potatoes. He won the
Spingarm Medal in 1923. He is also a member of the 
Am. Hall of Fame.
4to signed portrait. Extremely attractive half bust
pose, signed vertically in left lower corner of portrait: "Geo. W.
Carver." Top left corner crease, pin hole in top center margin,
lower right corner of portrait missing, not effecting signed area.
Minor soiling, mounting traces on verso. Carver never sent out signed photographs.
Provenance: Comes from the estate of a person
(1880-1966) who lived in Des Moines, IA and acquired it contemporarily and
treasured it until she passed away. It remained in the family until
recently. A copy of the letter of provenance comes with the
piece. This is the only signed portrait we have ever seen of Carver
and have only seen few other signed photographs in addition to this one. This would be a
$5000. piece if it were not damaged and slightly soiled. A rare
piece of Black American History...[12349].+..$2995.00
(CIVIL RIGHTS) JACKSON, REV. JESSE L. Head, Rainbow Coalition; candidate for President. 4to color
SP inscribed “Keep Hope Alive/ Jesse L. Jackson/ ‘95”. This is his official presidential candidate’s photo. Nice. [12010] ..$75.00
(WATERGATE) JORDAN, BARBARA
(1936-96). Highly respected & influential Black
congresswoman from Texas. Served on the House Watergate committee
and 
gave
keynote address at 1976 Democratic Convention. TLS, 4to, LBJ
School of Public Affairs at Univ. of Tex., Austin, Nov. 15, 1994.
"...It is very gratifying to know that I have earned your respect and
admiration..." Fine....[10889].....$150.00
VERY
RARE INSCRIBED AND SIGNED PRESENTATION COPY OF
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON'S IMMORTAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY: "UP FROM
SLAVERY"
an
important memoir by the most influential educator of his day. A choice
association copy, boldly inscribed by him on the front flyleaf to a former
First Lady: "To / Mrs. James A. Garfield / with kind wishes
/ and in memory of / a very pleasant visit / Booker T. Washington / Jan. 4,
1903." The "Papers of Booker T. Washington" records
Washington making a whirlwind speaking tour through California at this
time. On January 4, 1903, he addressed 2000-3000 people at the Methodist
Church in Pasadena. "After this meeting, by invitation of Mrs.
Garfield, the widow of the late President Garfield, Mr. Washington was driven
to her home for lunch..." -- at which time this copy of his
memoir must have been inscribed and presented to her. Lucretia Garfield
(1832-1918) resided in the White House only seven months before her husband's
1881 assassination; she survived him by 37 years. Ironically,
Washington's Tuskegee Institute opened within a couple months of James
Garfield's assassination. This is one of the most famous and widely
read books in the English language. It
has been translated into at least 18 different languages.
In 1970 it was reprinted by the Limited Editions Club.
Extremely fine association value having been presented to a former First
Lady. [12351].++.. $4995.00