February 2021 Catalogue

B a u m a n R a r e B o o k s B l a c k A m e r i c a n a 2 0 2 1 46 “Any Law Controlling The Ballot Box That Is Not Absolutely Fair And Just To Both Races Will Work More Permanent Injury To The Whites Than The Blacks” 61. WASHINGTON, Booker T. Black-Belt Diamonds. Gems from the Speeches, Addresses, and Talks to Students of Booker T. Washington… Selected and Arranged by Victoria Earle Matthews. New York, 1898. Small octavo (4 by 6 inches), modern full black morocco gilt. $2800. C lick for M ore I nfo First edition of a core collection of Washington’s early speeches and writings, drawing extensively on his Sunday Evening Tuskegee Talks with passages from Democracy and Education, Southern Lynch Law and other influential works, together in print for the first time. Black-Belt Diamonds , published two years before Washington’s first autobiography, Story of My Life and Work , is a signal collection of excerpts fromhis speeches andwritings, together in print for the first time. Issued the same year he delivered his famous Madison Square Garden Address, it was compiled and edited by the prominent activist for African American women’s rights, Victoria Earle Matthews. Text fine, expert repair to frontispiece not affecting image. Beautifully bound. “Let Us As A Race Recognize The Fact That We Are A Part Of A Great Nation Which We Are Bound To Serve” 62. WASHINGTON, Booker T. Putting the Most Into Life. New York, 1906. Slim octavo, original gilt-stamped red cloth; pp. 36. $550. C lick for M ore I nfo First edition of this inspiring collection of Sunday Evening Talks by Booker T. Washington held at the Tuskegee Institute. Educator, author, and presidential adviser Booker T. Washington developed a national reputation in the post-Reconstruction era as a proponent of racial uplift. Based at the Tuskegee Institute, Washington believed that the best way to achieve racial progress was through educating the young Black community. Each Sunday evening, Washington offered a talk to his students, usually focusing on character building as a means of achieving greater liberation in America. This collection of his talks features pieces on health, successful school life, advice to teachers, industrial efficiency, religion, and integrating racial life with national citizenship. Thus, Putting the Most Into Life offers a warm and personal glimpse into the beliefs of one of America’s most famous Black leaders. Interior generally fine, only light wear and soiling to cloth, small closed tear to cloth on front board, gilt bright. An extremely good copy.