Ben King's Southland Melodies

Chicago: Forbes and Company, 1911. Book. Near Fine. Decorative Cloth. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Publisher's green cloth binding with central floral bouquet and gilt lettering bordered by floral garland, back with gilt lettering and floral decoration, patterned brown end papers. Near Fine, small rubs at tips, slight toning at end pages facing the brown end papers. Michigan-born poet Ben King (1857-1894) spent much of his life in Chicago, where he was a member of the Chicago Press Club and the Whitechapel Club. He was considered Michigan's favorite poet for at least 25 years after his death. These poems, published well after his death, are written in an African-American slave vernacular, and the accompanying photographs are all of a nostalgic nature, depicting happy or distinguished subjects. An exceptionally nice copy, gift quality.. (Inventory #: 008478)