first edition Hardcover
1930 · New York
by ROBESON, Eslanda Goode
New York: Harper and Brothers, 1930. Hardcover. Very Good. First edition. Corners worn, and the spine has been professionally and nearly seamlessly rebacked, a fair only copy, lacking the dustwrapper. A biography of Robeson by his wife. The Dedication Copy. The printed dedication reads "For Our Son." Their only child, Paul Robeson, Jr., was a mere two years old at the time of publication. This is Paul Robeson, Jr.'s copy with his bold ownership Signature on the front fly (obviously written at a later date). It also has the smaller ownership signature of Rev. Benjamin C. Robeson (Paul Robeson, Sr.'s brother). In addition, Paul Robeson, Sr., has noted on the rear fly: "April 25, 1956. Have translated = The Soviet Biography - John. Soldier of Peace." An exact timeline of ownership is impossible to determine, but we suggest this was one of Paul Robeson, Sr.'s own copies, was then given to his brother, and was later inherited by the dedicatee, to whom his mother probably did not see fit to inscribe a copy while he was still in diapers. (Inventory #: 82669)