WARMLY INSCRIBED BY MARIAN ANDERSON

(ANDERSON, Marian) VEHANEN, Kosti. Marian Anderson: A Portrait. New York: Whittlesey House, 1941. Octavo, original green cloth. $950.

First edition of this early account of Anderson's life and career, inscribed: “To Georgia with love from Marian.”

This account of Anderson's life and career was written by the Finnish composer and accompanist Kosti Vehanen, her accompanist for years; his account ends at her famous 1939 performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after being denied use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution. "Artistic integrity was the hallmark of this pioneering artist" (New Grove I: 400). Front flap of original dust jacket laid in. Laid into this copy are a number of newspaper clippings about Anderson's historic 1955 performance in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Verdi's The Masked Ball, the first time a black person had sung a role with the Met.

Interior fine, a bit of wear to spine ends. Near-fine condition.