The Story of the American Negro - by James Baldwin (preparatory layout) by Unidentified

The Story of the American Negro - by James Baldwin (preparatory layout) by Unidentified

The Story of the American Negro - by James Baldwin (preparatory layout)

Unidentified

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Title

The Story of the American Negro - by James Baldwin (preparatory layout)

 
Artist
Year
c. 1950  
Technique
drawing; black conte crayon, India ink, and dry-transfer lettering on paper 
Image Size
13 3/8 x 21" image and paper size 
Signature
unsigned 
Edition Size
 
Annotations
titling in India ink along top of sheet; dry-transfer 'placeholder' lettering in left half of sheet 
Reference
 
Paper
antique-white wove 
State
 
Publisher
 
Inventory ID
23943 
Price
Price On Request 
Description

This appears to be the pre-press layout for a poster or other informational ephemera, perhaps for an event that would host the famed writer James Baldwin. A conte crayon, India ink drawing underlies pre-computer grahic design elements, including the dry-transfer "lorem ipsum"-style text used as a placeholder for the intended copy. The title is rendered in India ink and the subtitle, "By James Baldwin", is also dry-transfer, with the vinyl lining still attached to the letters.

It's not clear what this design was intended for, though it's likely it was used to publicize a speaking engagement or guest lecture featuring Baldwin, perhaps discussing anthropologist author Ina Corinne Brown's book "The Story of the American Negro" first published in 1936, illustrated by African-America artist Aaron Douglas.

This work was professionally restored to remove acidity and old tape residue.

 

Please call us at 707-546-7352 or email artannex@aol.com to purchase this item.