Description:

AMIRI BARAKA
(b. 1934) Leading African-American poet, activist and winner of the American and Langston Hughes Book Awards. An interesting archive of material, comprising five T.L.S. and one A.L.S. by Baraka each written to notable Professor of English William Plumley at the University of Charleston; a T.L. (unsigned) by Plumley to Baraka, two S.P. and more than 85 original photographs and negatives showing Baraka and his unique artwork. The letters read, in small part: "...[Mar. 30, 1970 on letterhead of "Committee for Unified Newark" letterhead] As you know we are trying to put 8 brothers in office here in Newark...Together the Black and Puerto Rican communities represent over 70% of the population but have no representative government...take 3 days off or more between May 9-12 and come into Newark for the big push...and watch the polls so the vigilantes won't stuff the box!!...[June 23, 1996] Thank you for your offer. I am enclosing one of my pieces for your consideration...So if you get a project of doing entire books of graphic works by writers, let me hear...I would like to receive $25.00 for the drawing...Please let me know what's going on...[July 15, 1996] Sorry the plastic threw you, that gloss, you spoke of, was what came with it. Whatever it was would've been that. In fact, though I'm sending two new things, originals, which I hope you will take care of and return...[Sept. 24, 1996] Please give me the parameters for the graphic work. Thirty to forty pieces is no problem but are you talking about black and white only, or those without too much color separating problems? By the way, I saw [acclaimed trumpeter and jazz poet] Ted Joans in Paris and told him about your project...". With a lengthy letter from Plumley about the proposed book and campus events, printed ephemera, some signed by Baraka, and two S.P. 8" x 10" b/w, each signed in bottom right corner. Finally, there are 85+ photographs of Baraka and his work, many in informal 3" x 5" format as well as original negatives. Overall very good condition.

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June 4, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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