Original silver-gelatin photograph: "II/8/68 - So. 2nd St & Beale

Memphis: Ernest C. Withers. Original black and white silver-gelatin photograph, 16" x 20" (c. 40cm x 51cm). Printed later (by Withers) from an original negative. Mounted on foam-core. Signed in marker, lower right: "Ernest C Withers / MLK 1948." Titled in ink on verso, with Withers' studio stamp repeated four times. Staining and soil to verso; mount trimmed somewhat roughly; image slightly toned at upper right, else bright and clean with excellent contrast; Very Good+. From the collection of Leon Littwack.

An exceptional, large-format photographic print by pioneering Memphis documentary photographer Ernest C. Withers. Withers [1922-2007] is (truncated) particularly well-known for his photographs of the Civil Rights movement in the South as well as his iconic portraits of American blues musicians. This image captures a street-level view of the forward section of the April 8, 1968 "Honor King - End Racism" march, which took place in Memphis just four days after King's assassination. Withers's hand-written title on verso, which appears to have been hastily written, mis-dates the event "II/8/68"; however the signage and mourning ribbons worn on many of the marchers' arms clearly identify this as the April 4th event. Withers' signature at lower right adds the line "MLK 1948" - a reference to Dr. King's graduation date from Morehouse College (the reason for this addition is unclear, but the photograph may have been specially inscribed for another Morehouse graduate). Though undated, a similar Withers print in our possession, similarly mounted and also from the collection of Leon Littwack, is dated 1991. (Inventory #: 83690)