Black Reconstruction: An Essay Toward a History of the Part Which Black Folk Played in the Attempt to Reconstruct Democracy in America, 1860-1880

W. E. B. Du Bois

Published by New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1935

About this Item

Thick octavo, bound in publisher's black cloth with spine lettered in silver; front and rear endpapers professionally reinforced with Japanese paper hinges, otherwise a near-flawless copy. First edition, first printing of a work that "provided a unique vision that shaped the contours of American historical scholarship." A Dedication Copy --- John Hope's personal copy, with the Atlanta University president's library stamp, "Hope Library, Atlanta, GA," on the top of the title page. In the preface to "Black Reconstruction," Du Bois acknowledged Hope (1868-1936), "who gave me help and asylum during the completion of the work." This volume is inscribed "Very Sincerely, W.E.B. Du Bois, Xmas 1935," on the front free endpaper. Above Du Bois's inscription, Hope's secretary Constance (Crocker) Nabrit added: "To the Hopes, from Constance, 12/24,35." (Constance's husband Samuel M. Nabrit, a renowned marine biologist and chair of the biology department at Atlanta, was the first African American to serve on the Atomic Energy Commission.) A quintessential presentation copy documenting a "soul mate" relationship of nearly forty years, as Du Bois considered Hope "without doubt my closest friend." A majestic work with a stellar provenance.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1700857703566

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Black Reconstruction: An Essay Toward a History of the Part Which Black Folk Played in the Attempt to Reconstruct Democracy in America, 1860-1880
• Publisher: New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company
• Publication Date: 1935
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • African American History