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Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed Copy of Stride Toward Freedom, Inscribed to A. Philip Randolph....
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Description
Martin Luther King, Jr. Signed Copy of Stride Toward Freedom, Inscribed to A. Philip Randolph. New York: Harper and Row, 1958. First edition of Dr. King's important and classic autobiography. Octavo. 224 pages. Dust jacket unclipped ($2.95). Inscribed with a full-page presentation on verso of dedication page: "To my dear friend A. Phillip Randolph. In appreciation of the standards of loyalty, honesty, non-violence, and the will to endure that you have held before all people in the struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy, Martin".Asa Phillip Randolph, a generation older than King, was one of the pioneer crusaders for African American rights. In 1925 he founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful black labor union. In the early 1920s, he ran for state office on the Socialist ticket, but over time came to focus specifically on the rights of labor. His group successfully pressured Presidents Roosevelt and Truman to issue a series of executive orders desegregating the armed forces and federal workforce. Truman proposed a Civil Rights Act but was stymied by the hold the block of Southern senators maintained on that chamber. By the 1960s, he was recognized as the dean of the American Civil Rights Movement. In 1963 he was part of a committee of the six leaders of major organizations (also including John R. Lewis, SNCC, Whitney Young, National Urban League, James Farmer, CORE, Roy Wilkins, NAACP, and Dr. King, SNCC) who met to organize the legendary March on Washington, naming Randolph as leader of the committee and march director. Randolph also assisted Dr. King in preparing his immortal "I Have a Dream" speech.
As an inscribed book to a prominent Civil rights leader, this volume is significant. However, what elevates this example is the fact that Randolph has carefully marked or annotated some 69 of the book's 224 pages. In many cases, he has underlined passages that struck him as particularly relevant or powerful, but he has filled at least half these pages with extensive margin notes, often echoing or amplifying King's sentiments. On page 44, he underlines King's eloquent words regarding Rosa Parks, "She was not 'planted' there by the NAACP, or any other organization; she was planted there by her personal sense of dignity and self-respect. She was anchored to that seat by the accumulated indignities of days gone by and the boundless aspirations of generations yet unborn. (She became) the spirit of the times." On page 137, King discusses the effects that leaders' statements have had on the events which were unfolding. Randolph adds margin notes observing that "Prediction of violence is an invitation to action." But the richest content is to be found in the book's final chapter, "Where Do We Go From Here?". Nearly all of the 35 pages are covered in underlinings and extensive margin comments. Randolph decries "the use of the tragic effects of segregation as argument for its continuation." He complains of the "lack of Presidential leadership in the racial crisis" and laments the "failure of moral forces of the nation to mobilize back of the court decision for desegregation", observing that "a first class nation cannot afford second class citizenship....Future of USA is bound up with the way this problem of race is handled and solved." One of his more revealing notes is the statement that "Morals cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated."
On page 204, Randolph laments that "poor whites suffer poverty while clinging to the myth of white superiority", suggesting that in fact, poor whites might have more in common with the downtrodden black man. On page 204, he writes rather acerbically that the "Negro seeks to become the white man's brother, not his brother-in-law." As a movement leader he tended to be more militant than Dr. King. While King quotes Gandhi to the effect that "if cowardice is the only alternative to violence, it is better to fight," it was his belief that non-violent actions would eventually "awaken a sense of shame in the opponent." He believed that the end goal must be "redemption and reconciliation." Randolph was less optimistic, declaring that ultimately the "Negro must fight and suffer for his rights."
A careful reading of this book introduces the reader to the thought processes of these two shapers of the Civil Rights movement, highlighting both their similarities and their areas of disagreement. We have been able to present only some excerpts here. But taken as a whole, the book offers keen insights into the two men's views at this critical moment in the fight for African-American equality. As such it is an incredibly important resource for institutions and advanced collectors alike. Given the historic association of the two men, the rich quality of the inscription, and the existence of what almost seems like a dialog between these two towering leaders of the Movement, it seems safe to state that no more important King-signed book exists.
Condition: Head and foot of spine pushed; front hinge somewhat overextended; front free endpaper absent, pencil notation to rear endpaper. Dust jacket with sunned spine; moderate edgewear, including closed tear at upper margin of front panel that measures 1", and chipping with some minor losses to rear panel and head and foot of spine, none of which touch any text; panels lightly rubbed with small abrasion to one letter of title. Despite wear, the original dust jacket remains bright and presents nicely for display. The volume is housed in an elegant custom black morocco-backed clamshell case.
Auction Info
2022 October 19 Historic African Americana Signature® Auction #6248 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2022
19th
Wednesday
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