Signed Twice by a Tuskegee Photographer

The Black Photographers Annual Volume 3 [Wrappers Issue]

Crawford, Joe (editor)

Notes: The third of four volumes of this series promoting the work of black photographers. In his introduction, James Baldwin writes, "This book is a testimony—I am tempted to call it a testimony service—and, like all truthful witnessing, it is beautiful and frightening, devastating and ennobling."

This volume reproduces—with well-printed halftones—the images from 40 black photographers. Contributors include Roy DeCarava, Ming Smith, Moneta Sleet Jr., and James Van Der Zee. P. H. Polk, a studio photographer in Tuskegee, Alabama, who was giving a portfolio in the previous annual, contributes two photographs to this third issue.

Five photographers are given portfolios with short introductory essays: Roy DeCarava, Addison Scurlock, Matthew Lewis, Ovie Carter, Robert Van Lierop

See the essay by Carla Williams in Aperture 223 for a short study of the place of these "annuals" (which were issued several years apart) in photobook history.

118, [4] pages. 8-3/4 by 10 inches. With a short preface by Gordon Parks and a five-page introduction by James Baldwin.

Edition + Condition: First edition, wrappers (paperback) issue, issued simultaneously with a hardcover version. A very good copy with some light discoloration of the back cover. One leaf is missing a narrow piece from the bottom margin. The photographer P. H. Polk signed below both of his images. Very scarce signed.

Publication: Brooklyn: Black Photographers Annual, 1976.

Item No: #363195

Sold