Black Americana and Abolition – 42 – Bauman Rare Books - July 2022 Paul Robeson’s February 27, 1956 Motion For Leave To File Brief And Brief Amici Curiae In The U.S. Court Of Appeals 70. ROBESON, Paul. United States Court of Appeals. District of Columbia. Paul Robeson, Plaintiff-Appellant, against John Foster Dulles, Defendant-Appellee. Motion for Leave to File Brief and Brief Amici Curiae. New York, 1956. Octavo, original printed cream self-wrappers. $2500. First official edition of the amicus curiae brief supporting Robeson in his 1956 attempt to get his passport restored. Fearless in his lifelong struggle for Black rights, “Robeson’s achievements as a stage actor, movie star and singer are individually outstanding but collectively astounding’” (ANB). In 1946 Robeson had challenged President Truman for refusing “to sponsor legislation against lynching” (Buhle, 655). Subsequently the State Department “issued a ‘stop notice’ at all ports to prevent Robeson from leaving the country” and his passport was revoked. Robeson’s attorneys offered this amicus curiae brief by W.E.B. Du Bois, Herbert Aptheker, Eslanda Goode Robeson and others. Fine condition. Paul Robeson’s First Book, Here I Stand, Boldly Signed By Him, Along With Signature Of His Son, Paul Robeson, Jr. 71. ROBESON, Paul. Here I Stand. London, 1958. Octavo, original burgundy paper boards, dust jacket. $3500. First edition of Robeson’s powerful first book, signed him and also with signature of his son, author and activist Paul Robeson, Jr. Paul Robeson “was easily the most influential Black entertainer of his day” (ANB). Targeted by the FBI, CIA and Department of State for decades, blacklisted with his passport revoked in the 1950s, Robeson died in 1976 after a long illness. Precedes the first American edition. Containing laid-in program from Robeson’s August 10, 1958 concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, along with a ticket stub. Book with purchase stub affixed to preliminary blank page, containing small notations: “Purchased at… London, W.I., England… Autographed by the author” and owner inscription. Title page with marginalia below the signature of Paul Robeson, Jr. Book fine; light edge-wear, mild soiling to scarce near-fine dust jacket.
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