Color
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1925.
First edition, first printing of the Countee Cullen's first book. A fantastic association copy, signed by him on the front free endpaper and inscribed the year following publication to a fellow classmate at Harvard University, "For Aubrey Starke Sincerely, Countee Cullen Harvard June 1, 1926." Laid in is a poem by Cullen typed on letterhead which bears a Harvard Square address. Bound in publisher's decorative paper boards over yellow cloth with orange title labels printed in black to spine and upper board. Near Fine with darkening to spine, thin red discoloration to rear joint. Offsetting to front free endpaper. In a Near Fine dust jacket with toning, light wear to the spine ends. The scarce first edition of Cullen's first volume of poetry, published when he was 22 years old, during the same year he entered Harvard to study for a Master's degree in English. Prior to this book's publication, Cullen was seen as an up-and-coming poet. He would go on to become a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Porter p. 28, Perry 221, Schomburg p. 11.
Price: $12,500