Fine Clothes to the Jew
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1927.
First edition, first printing. 89, [2] pp. Bound in publisher's patterned paper-covered boards over black spine cloth, black topstain. Very Good+ with light wear and toning to covers and worming to rear joint and hinge. Binding starting at p. 47, light scattered foxing to fore edge of textblock and first and last few pages. Contemporary gift inscription, dampstain, and evidence of label removal to front free endpaper. In a Very Good unclipped dust jacket with worming to upper and lower edges and light toning, foxing, and soiling. Dickinson 2.
The first edition of Langston Hughes' folk-lyric poetry collection, in the rare dust jacket. The Black press disliked the collection's gutter setting and airing of dirty laundry (the title refers to the practice of pawning clothes for cash). Hughes' angry response was: "I have never pretended to be keeping a literary grazing pasture with food to suit all breeds of cattle." He had always drawn inspiration from the people he called "the low-down folks," admiring their pride and creative powers.
Price: $3,800