INSCRIBED BY RAYFORD LOGAN: THE NEGRO IN THE POST-WAR WORLD, 1945 FIRST EDITION

LOGAN, Rayford W., editor. The Negro and the Post-War World: A Primer. Washington, DC: The Minorities Publishers, 1945. Octavo, original black cloth, original dust jacket. $700.

First edition of this brief overview of "the plight of the Negro in all parts of the world today," inscribed by author Rayford Logan on the front free endpaper: "To John and Elise Hope, with the compliments of Rayford W. Logan, February 15, 1949."

Dr. Rayford Wittingham Logan was an accomplished scholar who focused on African American history and pan-African political activism, mainly at Howard University. "The central point of Logan's scholarship and activism was the promotion of the dignity and equality of black people throughout the world and the critical examination of American racial hypocrisy. But in an era dominated by the incipient Cold War, his scholarship and activism were too strident for the U.S. political establishment, and he often found it difficult to attain a hearing in the white mainstream. What the Negro Wants saw life only after he threatened to sue the publisher for breach of contract; two of his other important works, The Negro and the Post-War World (1945) and The African Mandates and World Politics (1948), were issued privately by Logan because no publisher would bring them out" (ANB). "The Negro in the Post-War World attempts to give in simple language a brief interpretation and analysis of the plight of the Negro in all parts of the world today. It emphasizes the now rather than the then… while the book is intended primarily for high school students and the general public, it is not without value for scholars" (vi). Recipient John Hope II and his wife Elise were noted civil rights advocates; John's father was renowned civil rights activist John Hope, President of Morehouse College from 1909-36.

Book fine, dust jacket with light soiling and some edge-wear, most notably to lower edge of rear panel. An very good inscribed copy.