Swann Galleries: Printed and Manuscript African Americana, Sale 2308

Lot: 274  Charter to the members of the Reading, PA Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), signed by Mary White Ovington and John Shilady, 1919. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000. Image: Swann Auction Galleries 

Swann Auction Galleries will feature its 18th Annual Printed and Manuscript African Americana Sale 2308 on March 21, 2013. The scope of Sale 2308 "covers 300 years of history from slavery and abolition through the Civil War, Reconstruction and into the twentieth century." As in the past, this year's sale of African Americana will offer a wide range of materials grouped into broad subject areas that include, but are not limited to the following categories: slavery and abolition, civil rights, Black Panthers, business, education, labor unions, literature and poetry, art, music and much more. Every item is described in a print and online catalogue. A print catalogue may be purchased directly from Swann Auction Galleries and the online catalogue may be viewed at its website.

Items will be on exhibit in Swann Auction Galleries on March 16, 18-20, 2013. This is an opportunity for all prospective buyers, collectors, scholars, dealers, students, and  anyone with an interest to preview the exhibition and see items and their condition first-hand. However, if unable to attend the exhibition, the experts at Swann's are available to discuss any aspect of the sale, including condition.

The following are selections from the 555 lots included in Sale 2308:

Lot 44
Collection of ninety-one letters from the daughter of Horace Cowles, a noted Farmington Connecticut Underground Railroad conductor, discussing her family's dealings with the famed Amistad captives. The bulk of the letters were written by Charlotte Cowles to her brother Samuel, with three letters from Samuel to Charlotte. Connecticut, 1833-46. Estimate: $30,000 - 40,000.

Lot 275
Minutes of the Charleston, West Virginia branch of the NAACP, consisting of approximately 200 pages, typed; bound in 1/4 leather ring binder; 1922-35. 

Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000. 

The Junior Branch of the NAACP, June 8, 1924. Image: 
Swann Auction Galleries

Letter from Walter S. White, Assistant Secretary, NAACP, 1922. 
 Image: Swann Auction Galleries

Lot 352

Collection of materials relating to Pullman Car Porters and their work, circa 1910-1950's. Estimate: $10,000- 15,000.

Pullman Car Porters. Image: Swann Auction Galleries

Lot 317
Film Poster (one sheet poster, 41 x 27 inches). Bill Pickett, World's Greatest Colored Champion, Norman Films, 1921. Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000.

Bill Pickett Film Poster, 1921. Image: Swann Auction Galleries

 
Lot 382
Fire!!  A Quarterly Devoted to Younger Negro Artists, 48 pages, New York, 1926. Artwork throughout is done by Aaron Douglas and Richard Bruce Nugent. This rare first and only issue (volume1, number 1) of this literary landmark is signed by the editor, Wallace Thurman, as well as Richard Bruce Nugent, Zora Neale Hurston, Aaron Douglas, Arna Bontemps, Helene Johnson, and Gwendolyn Bennett. Estimate: $5,000 - 7,500

Fire!! A Quarterly Devoted to Younger Negro Artists.  
Image: Swann Auction Galleries

As a reminder regarding bidding information, you do not have to be present at the auction to bid. Bids may be placed in advance via telephone, fax, mail, or email, and Swann's staff will bid on your behalf if you can not attend the sale in-person. Also, you may make advance arrangements to bid live by telephone during the auction. To make bidding arrangements, contact Swann Galleries at 212-254-4710.