Swann Galleries 16th Annual Auction Of Harlem Americana And More

On Thursday, March 10, Swann Galleries will conduct their 16th annual auction of Printed & Manuscript African Americana offering a wide range of compelling material related to the African-American experience, with sections devoted to slavery and abolition, the Civil War, civil rights, education, art, literature, music, sports, and more.

Cotton Club. Two Cotton Club programs, two Cotton Club menus, and a wooden noisemaker/souvenir, “The Cotton Club, Aristocrat of Harlem.” Large 4to’s; the menus showing some wear to the illustrated folders in which they came; the 1938 program is, signed by cab calloway. should be seen. New York, 1938-1939
($600-800).

Where it all was happening Harlem Campbell W. Simms. A Night-Club Map of Harlem. The center-fold of Manhattan Magazine’s Volume I, No 1 for January 18, 1933. 23×16 inches, some light wear at the edges (the map); the remainder of the issue (16 pages, small folio) shows some wear, especially to the outer leaves. New York, 1933 ($600-800)

Great black radicals are also well represented. Beneath a fine pen and ink portrait of Marcus Garvey is his lengthy handwritten statement of purpose, signed and dated only four days after his arrest by the FBI for mail fraud, New York, January 1922 ($7,000 to $10,000).

Another desirable original of James Baldwin’s Own Copy, Literature and Poetry. James Baldwin. from Blues for Mr. Charlie. Original mimeographed play script, 69, 38, 58 pages; bound in leatherette with large brass rivets; covers rubbed and creased. inscribed by baldwin to william gunn. New York, Actors Studio, (1964), ($1,500-2,500)

Wonderfully desirable original of literature and poetry by Langston Hughes book The Ways of White Folks., 8vo, original brick-red cloth, decoratively stamped in black; this rich archive is in a lightly worn dust jacket. It’s a first edition printed in New York City, in 1934. ($800-1,200)

Strong images of Malcolm X. Group of photographs of Malcolm X, including one in his casket. Gelatin silver prints, various sizes, average 8×10 inches; information on the back; condition varies. New York City, 1960s ($1,000-1,500)

Another desirable memoir is the unique black and white Aaron Douglas Stencil (art) Aaron Douglas and Thurman Wallace. Black and white contrast stencil on composite board, 19-7/8 x 13-1/8 inches; some discoloration to the blank margins where originally framed. New York City: Apollo Theatre, 1929 Edward A. Blatt Presents “Harlem,” a thrilling play of the black belt. ($7,500-10,000).

Another desirable rare Harlem Guide, devoted to the Business Directories for Harlem, NY. Curtis, Constance, Adele Glasgow and Carl Lawrence, editors. Harlem’s Top People, 1953. Illustrated advertisements. 48 pages. 12 mo, original printed wrappers, stapled. New York City, 1953,  ($350-500)

Great image maker James Van der Zee. The Graduate (Supplied title). Portrait of seated woman, a rolled diploma in one hand, a bouquet of flowers in the other, 6-3/4 x 4-3/4 inches; some creases and slight wear, more visible in raking light; GGG Studio stamps on reverse, and signed in the negative. New York City, circa 1930′s
($750-1,000).

Harlem photographer Carl Van Vechten. Joe Louis Two photographs of Joe Louis in training, rowing a boat. Silver prints with Van Vechten’s blind stamps and stamps on the reverse, dated in ink by Van Vechten. Typically, not standard size: 8×9-3/4 and 7×9 inches; the larger of the two with a small shiny spot just above the blind-stamp in the right corner. Upstate New York, circa late 1930s ($400-600)

The auction will take place on Thursday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The items will be on public exhibition at Swann Galleries on Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Monday, March 7 through Wednesday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Groups wishing to attend the preview are requested to make advance arrangements.

An illustrated catalogue, with information on bidding by mail or fax, is available for $35 from Swann Galleries, 104 East 25 Street, New York, NY 10010, (212) 254-4710, extension 0, and can also be viewed online at www.swanngalleries.com. Bids can also be submitted by e-mail via the website.

For further information, and to make advance arrangements to bid by telephone during the auction, please contact Wyatt H. Day at (212) 254-4710, extension 300, or via email at whday@swanngalleries.com.

Live online bidding is available via Artfact.com