"THE DIFFERENCES IN MANKIND ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHARCOAL AND DIAMONDS—DIFFERENCES OF CONDITION AND NOT OF COMPOSITION": CHARLES ROMAN'S AMERICAN CIVILIZATION AND THE NEGRO, SCARCE 1916 FIRST EDITION

ROMAN, Charles Victor. American Civilization and the Negro. The Afro-American in Relation to National Progress. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 1916. Octavo, original maroon cloth. $700.

First edition of Dr. Roman's "well-received" illustrated survey of the state of race relations in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.

"In 1890 Roman received his medical degree from Meharry and moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he opened a medical practice… In 1899 he went to Chicago for a year of postgraduate study, and in 1904 he traveled to England's Royal Ophthalmic Hospital and the Central London Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital for specialty training in ophthalmology and otolaryngology… Roman wrote a number of pamphlets and papers on health, race, and Christian ethics. In 1921 he published a book, American Civilization and the Negro: The Afro-American in Relation to National Progress. In this well-received work he discussed the nature of race relations in the United States and the place of blacks in American society. In the introduction he summarized his point of view, saying, 'The writer of this volume believes that the differences in mankind are the differences between charcoal and diamonds—differences of condition and not of composition'" (ANB). (Of course, this book was actually first published in 1916, but the 1921 printing is more commonly found.). Owner ink signature, dated 1918; Dr. Roman's business card from when he was attached to the War Department's Commission on Training Camp Activities tipped to front free endpaper. "Roman did not restrict his activities to medicine… During World War I, for instance, he lectured to black troops about social hygiene" (ANB).

Interior generally clean, inner paper hinges expertly reinforced, minor discoloration to cloth. A very good copy.