African American History: Fighting for Freedom

African Americans have been at the forefront of what Thomas Paine called the “power to begin the world over again.” They have been on the front lines of battle from the first moments of the Revolution and lived both the cost and hope of Paine’s vow. In the words of Angela Davis, the African American struggle for freedom and equality has created “new terrains for asking new questions and moving in new directions.” Bauman Rare Books is privileged to offer a record of that extraordinary history in these select rare works.

Photograph, Panoramic

"THE TRUE BIRTH OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT"

(BLACK HISTORY). Photograph, Panoramic. Fort Bragg, North Carolina, circa 1943.

Exceptional panoramic photograph of WWII Black soldiers of the 318th Combat Engineers, who served in the segregated 93rd Infantry Division that fought in the Pacific, returning home as war's end to a surge in racist riots and lynchings. $3400.

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American Negro Soldier... Red Hand

"THE DEMOCRACY FOR WHICH THE MEN WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FIGHTING WAS IGNORED AND RIDICULED"

MASON, Monroe and FURR, Arthur. American Negro Soldier… Red Hand. Boston, 1920.

First edition of the very scarce contemporary history of African American soldiers fighting in WWI alongside the famed "Red Hand," celebrated as heroes by the French and awarded the Croix de Guerrre with Palm, with frontispiece and six full-page illustrations including map, in original cloth. $3200.

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Negro in War-Time

"THE WHITE MAN OF THE SOUTH KNOWS ALMOST NOTHING"

JOHNSON, James Weldon. Negro in War-Time. New York, November, 1918.

First edition of the electrifying response near the end of WWI by James Weldon Johnson, newly appointed Field Secretary to the NAACP, to a white Memphis businessman's article, "Negro in War-Time," included herein with its claims that the "Negro Press" presented "every lynching in its worst aspect" and promoted disloyalty by making the Black man "not as jolly, care-free and good-natured as he once was." Johnson's bold "Rejoinder" points to the thousands of Black Americans lynched long before WWI and declares the white "South will never get to the heart of this problem until it is able to think of the Negro… as a human being." $2800.

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Evers

"MEDGAR'S DEATH MADE ONE POINTCLEAR… I HAD TO CHANGE MISSISSIPPI"

(MEDGAR EVERS) EVERS, Charles. Evers. New York and Cleveland, 1971.

First edition of Charles Evers' complicated memoir of his brother, his explosive rage at Medgar Ever's murder, and his own resolve to continue his brother's work, noting—"racists can’t kill all of us who believe in freedom"—inscribed by him on the title page, "Thanks for reading my book, Charles Evers, Mayor, Fayette, Miss. 4-5-89." $1250.

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Negro Combat Troops

AFRICAN AMERICANS "FOUGHT IN THE REVOLUTION AND ALL SUBSEQUENT WARS, BUT THE SUM OF THEIR SACRIFICES STILL HAD NOT BROUGHT FULL CITIZENSHIP"

HEYWOOD, Chester D. Negro Combat Troops. Worcester, Mass. 1928.

First edition of one of the very few published records of African Americans in combat in WWI, authored by the white captain of the 371st, with photographic frontispiece, two large folding battle maps and many in-text illustrations, a handsome copy in original cloth. $1250.

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Just Between Us Blacks

"ONE UNEASY AND FREQUENTLY ANGRY BLACK AMERICAN"

ROWAN, Carl T. Just Between Us Blacks. New York, 1974.

First edition of one of Rowan's most controversial books, a very scarce presentation/association copy inscribed on the half title by him to the distinguished judge who early defied death threats to desegregate New Orleans schools, "For J— Skelly Wright, who had guts when it was most needed—Carl T. Rowan." $1200.

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