Washington Fredi (4 results)
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Published by [New York?], 1919
Seller: McBlain Books, ABAA, Hamden, CT, U.S.A.McBlain Books, ABAA
Contact seller5-star sellerCondition: Used - Very good
£ 658.95
£ 3.76 shippingShips within U.S.A.Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketCondition: Very Good. 3 p. letter written in pencil on 3 sides of two sheets of plain white (more or less) stationery. Approx. 16 x 25 cm. 2 horizontal folds. Envelope not present. Letter to "Dearest:-" Fredii, full given name Fredericka Carolyn Washington, addresses the recipient as Einnie, perhaps a nickname, in the letter. A…mostly cheery letter urging the recipient to ride on a roller coaster if she gets the chance. Fredi does mention some possible sickness or maybe a teenage heartbreak: "Well I cried all day Sunday and part of Monday, but the Dr. says if I don't have a relapse I'll be all right and he says he don't think a carriage ride would hurt my feet, [T]he Dr. he said that I need to get a good pair of walking shoes if I want to walk in New York City. I think that I will travel by car from now on. I almost had one tonight." Says nothing about school or work but Fredi had to drop out of high school at some point around this time and get a job -- maybe that led to the crying. Mentions getting a card from Isabell, probably her sister Isabel who also got involved in show business within a few years and whose second husband for twelve years (1933-1945) was Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. before he left her to marry a second wife. She also writes that Alice, Harold and she "."were up at the store to-night to get some of the nice medicine from Germany." She ends her letter with "If you don't get this letter, be sure and let me know. Good-bye. S,W.A.K. Lovingly, Fredi Washington." The Amistad Center and the New York Public Library have Fredi Washington archives, neither of which seems to have anything dated earlier than 1922. She turned out to be a talented actress and dancer and got herself into the chorus line in "Shuffle Along" in 1921. Her light skin made it hard to get a lot of parts in movies and plays since she was too light and too pretty for the maid and housekeeper roles open to African American women and too light skinned for romantic roles. Her most notable movie was "Imitation of Life, in which she played Peola, a light-skinned African American who is "passing" as white. Fredi was one of five founders of the Negro Actors Guild in 1936. She wrote on Entertainers and Entertainment, as well as other topics, in "People's Voice, a publication founded by Powell in 1942. She participated in various efforts to make America better and less racist. Her second marriage in 1955 was to Hugh Anthony Bell, an African American dentist in Stamford, CT. He died in 1970.
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The Emperor Jones (Original photograph from the 1933 film)
Paul Robeson (starring); Dudley Murphy (director); Eugene O'Neill (play); DuBose Heyward (screenwriter); Dudley Digges, Frank H. Wilson, Fredi Washington (starring)
Published by United Artists, Beverly Hills, CA, 1933
- Photo
Seller: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.Royal Books, Inc., ABAA
Contact seller5-star sellerVintage linen-backed keybook reference photograph from the 1933 film, showing actor Paul Robeson. Printed mimeo snipe affixed to the verso. Based on Eugene O'Neill's 1920 play, following a cunning railway porter who gradually manipulates his way into control of a small Caribbean island. Actor Paul Robeson's first sound feature,…a breakthrough role which secured the actor's status as one of the first African American leading actors of mainstream cinema. Set throughout the American south and in the Caribbean Islands, shot on location in New York. 8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, with light wear along the top edge (image unaffected). National Film Registry. Criterion Collection 370.
Published by Hollywood, 1934
Seller: Ira Joel Haber - Cinemage Books, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.Ira Joel Haber - Cinemage Books
Contact seller1-star sellerCondition: Used - Very good
£ 775.23
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Add to basketNo Binding. Condition: Very Good. Original Signed Photograph. Two very rare inscribed photographs of the African American actress Fredi Washington. The first portrait is a sepia toned publicity portrait of the beautiful actress that was used as publicity for her most famous role in the 1934 version of "Imitation Of Life" in whic…h she played the light skin daughter of Lousie Beavers. The photo is printed on heavy stock paper and is inscribed and signed in ink "To Millie & Sammy we've kown each other since "when" may it never be "Why" Fredi. The photo has been trimmed and there is a touch of a nick to the bottom edge, luckily the inscription and signature has not been harmed. The second photo is small 5" x 7" close-up portait of her from the 1940's which has been inscribed and signed in ink with her full name. Also included is a rare fold over program from the memorial service that was held in her honor at St. Peter's Church in 1994 shortly after her death. at the ripe old age of 91. Some of the participants included Donald Bogle, David Dinkins, Gloria Foster and Bobby Short. Includes a bio of her and is illustrated with the photograph of her from Imitation of Life. Sold as a collection only. Book.
- Signed
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA
Contact seller5-star sellerCondition: Used - Near fine
£ 387.62
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Add to basketUnbound. Condition: Near Fine. Gelatin silver photograph. Approximately 8" x 10". Tiny tear in one margin, later short biographical note affixed to the rear, else just about fine. Subject from chest up, with a bow in her hair, smiling broadly. Legibly Inscribed by the subject: "To Robert with best wishes. Sincerely, Fredi Washin…gton." Washington was a light skinned African-American film actress active during the Harlem Renaissance. She is best known for her roles in *The Emperor Jones* and roles in *Imitation of Life*, where she passed for white. She later was very active as a Civil Rights crusader. A very nice image. Signed.
