Fragments from an Unwritten Autobiography, Volumes I and II [INSCRIBED SET]

(Autobiography) VECHTEN, Carl Van

New Haven, CT: Yale University Library, 1955. First Edition. Cloth. 4 5/8 X 6 5/8 Inches. Near Fine. Item #8406

Original two volume set housed in slipcase. Signed and inscribed to "Elizabeth and Kate" on the first page of volume one. Dated in the year of publication. Red cloth bindings clean and sharp. Light rubbing to slipcase edges.

Carl Van Vechten was a pivotal figure in American cultural history, known not only for his photography and literary work but also for his influential role in promoting the Harlem Renaissance. As a white patron deeply invested in Black arts and letters, Van Vechten used his social connections and literary clout to amplify the voices of African American writers, musicians, and artists during a time of widespread racial segregation. His controversial novel Nigger Heaven sparked debate but also drew attention to Harlem’s vibrant intellectual and artistic scene. Beyond his writing, Van Vechten’s striking photographic portraits documented many key cultural figures of the 20th century, from Langston Hughes to Zora Neale Hurston, preserving their legacies in visual form. His complex legacy reflects both the possibilities and tensions of interracial collaboration in American arts.

Price: $150.00