Robeson, Paul. (1898–1976). Collection of Ephemera. An interesting collection of items from the career of the outstanding African American actor, singer and civil rights activist, who between the wars became the first Black movie star and aroused controversies with his political engagement later on.
The Immortal Negro Melodies: These Are Songs That Paul Robeson Sings, free supplement to The Family Journal, November 6, 1937. Octavo. Stapled. [i-ii], 1–24, [iii–iv] pp. Bi-color title with artwork incorporating a half-length portrait of Robeson. Contents and uncredited introductory essay to page [ii]. 9 x 6.5 inches (23 x 16.5 cm). Somewhat browned; small stains; small tears to outer edge; overall in very good condition.
Programs (theater, music and film):
New York, Parson's Theatre, 1926. Horace Liveright / Presents / Paul Robeson in / "Black Boy" / A Play in Three Acts / By / Jim Tully and Frank Dazey. Single leaf, verso blank. 8 x 5 inches (23 x 12.9 cm). Two horizontal folds; else in fine condition. This was apparently the first production of the play.
[Seattle], February 18, 1931. Ladies Musical Club / presents a / Song Recital / by / Paul Robeson / Lawrence Brown at the Piano. One leaf. 9.5 x 5.5 inches (23.7 x 14.2 cm). Slightly browned; else in fine condition. Lawrence Brown (1893–1973) was Robeson's regular piano accompanist from the early 1920s to Robeson's retirement in 1963.
State College, Pa., Nittany Theatre (movie theatre), program for the week of May 21–26, 1934. Three-sheet leaflet. Announces showings of the film Emperor Jones (1933, after Eugene O'Neill's play of the same name), starring Paul Robeson, for "Tuesday and Wednesday" (= May 22 and 23). 6 x 4.25 inches (15.4 x 10.5 cm). Horizontal fold; smudges; dampstained; else in very good condition.
Ishpeming, Mich., April 27, 1946. Presenting Paul Robeson / Assisted by William Schatzkamer, Pianist / Lawrence Brown at the piano for Mr. Robeson. Unpaginated bifolium. Whereas Brown accompanied Robeson, Schatzkamer performed pieces for piano solo in between. 9.5 x 6.25 inches (24.2 x 16 cm). Dampstained; horizontal crease; in good condition overall.
Toronto, no date [1946]. The Canadian Tribune proudly presents Paul Robeson in a Festival of People's Songs. Assisted by the Jewish Folk Choir / Emil Gartner, conducting. Unpaginated bifolium. The Canadian Tribune, a weekly, is the organ of the Communist Party of Canada. Emil Gartner (1914–1960, a refugee from Vienna) also had communist leanings. The date is established by a reference to the Canadian Tribune having been founded in 1940 and existed for six years. 8.5 x 5.25 inches (21.5 x 13.3 cm). Horizontal and vertical folds and creases; in very good condition overall. "In a 1946 Massey Hall [Toronto] appearance, [Robeson] spent half his time speaking about the plight of black people and the other half singing." Norman Richmond, "Paul Robeson Remembered in Canada with 'Row R'", People's World (a socialist U.S. web portal) June 13, 2018.
Postcard photographs:
Portrait of Robeson as Bosambo in the 1935 film Sanders of the River. Robeson had a major role in the film, set in Nigeria. He hoped the film to portray African society under colonial rule in a realistic manner, but he was disappointed in the end—as he claimed, the film had been edited at the very end of production to affirm colonial rule.
Portrait of Robeson by London Films, probably also published in connection with the 1935 film Sanders of the River, the only production of London Films starring Robeson.
Portrait of Robeson in [East] Berlin. From East Germany, 1960s. With a quote (translated into English) from Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the East German Unity Party and chief decision maker in East Germany, as caption: "Paul Robeson is a fearless fighter for peace. Wherever freedom, justice and human dignity are at stake, Paul Robeson raises his voice and uses his art as a weapon for the victory of progress of peace." 5.75 x 4 inches (14.8 x 10.3 cm). Edges somewhat worn; else in very good condition. Robeson, who made his sympathy with communism explicit, traveled to the Soviet Union as early as 1934, was courted in the Soviet-dominated world as long as he lived and traveled there regularly. His persecution by the House Un-American Activities committee in the 1950s was almost inevitable.
Other:
British trading card from "Radio Celebrities," no. 23 of a series of 50 cards, issued by The Imperial Tobacco (of Great Britain and Ireland), Ltd, sold with cigarette pack of the W.D. and H.O. Wills brand. Caption makes reference to Ellington's 1933 British tour. 2.75 x 1.75 inches (6.7 x 3.5 cm).
Robeson, Paul. (1898–1976). Collection of Ephemera. An interesting collection of items from the career of the outstanding African American actor, singer and civil rights activist, who between the wars became the first Black movie star and aroused controversies with his political engagement later on.
The Immortal Negro Melodies: These Are Songs That Paul Robeson Sings, free supplement to The Family Journal, November 6, 1937. Octavo. Stapled. [i-ii], 1–24, [iii–iv] pp. Bi-color title with artwork incorporating a half-length portrait of Robeson. Contents and uncredited introductory essay to page [ii]. 9 x 6.5 inches (23 x 16.5 cm). Somewhat browned; small stains; small tears to outer edge; overall in very good condition.
Programs (theater, music and film):
New York, Parson's Theatre, 1926. Horace Liveright / Presents / Paul Robeson in / "Black Boy" / A Play in Three Acts / By / Jim Tully and Frank Dazey. Single leaf, verso blank. 8 x 5 inches (23 x 12.9 cm). Two horizontal folds; else in fine condition. This was apparently the first production of the play.
[Seattle], February 18, 1931. Ladies Musical Club / presents a / Song Recital / by / Paul Robeson / Lawrence Brown at the Piano. One leaf. 9.5 x 5.5 inches (23.7 x 14.2 cm). Slightly browned; else in fine condition. Lawrence Brown (1893–1973) was Robeson's regular piano accompanist from the early 1920s to Robeson's retirement in 1963.
State College, Pa., Nittany Theatre (movie theatre), program for the week of May 21–26, 1934. Three-sheet leaflet. Announces showings of the film Emperor Jones (1933, after Eugene O'Neill's play of the same name), starring Paul Robeson, for "Tuesday and Wednesday" (= May 22 and 23). 6 x 4.25 inches (15.4 x 10.5 cm). Horizontal fold; smudges; dampstained; else in very good condition.
Ishpeming, Mich., April 27, 1946. Presenting Paul Robeson / Assisted by William Schatzkamer, Pianist / Lawrence Brown at the piano for Mr. Robeson. Unpaginated bifolium. Whereas Brown accompanied Robeson, Schatzkamer performed pieces for piano solo in between. 9.5 x 6.25 inches (24.2 x 16 cm). Dampstained; horizontal crease; in good condition overall.
Toronto, no date [1946]. The Canadian Tribune proudly presents Paul Robeson in a Festival of People's Songs. Assisted by the Jewish Folk Choir / Emil Gartner, conducting. Unpaginated bifolium. The Canadian Tribune, a weekly, is the organ of the Communist Party of Canada. Emil Gartner (1914–1960, a refugee from Vienna) also had communist leanings. The date is established by a reference to the Canadian Tribune having been founded in 1940 and existed for six years. 8.5 x 5.25 inches (21.5 x 13.3 cm). Horizontal and vertical folds and creases; in very good condition overall. "In a 1946 Massey Hall [Toronto] appearance, [Robeson] spent half his time speaking about the plight of black people and the other half singing." Norman Richmond, "Paul Robeson Remembered in Canada with 'Row R'", People's World (a socialist U.S. web portal) June 13, 2018.
Postcard photographs:
Portrait of Robeson as Bosambo in the 1935 film Sanders of the River. Robeson had a major role in the film, set in Nigeria. He hoped the film to portray African society under colonial rule in a realistic manner, but he was disappointed in the end—as he claimed, the film had been edited at the very end of production to affirm colonial rule.
Portrait of Robeson by London Films, probably also published in connection with the 1935 film Sanders of the River, the only production of London Films starring Robeson.
Portrait of Robeson in [East] Berlin. From East Germany, 1960s. With a quote (translated into English) from Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the East German Unity Party and chief decision maker in East Germany, as caption: "Paul Robeson is a fearless fighter for peace. Wherever freedom, justice and human dignity are at stake, Paul Robeson raises his voice and uses his art as a weapon for the victory of progress of peace." 5.75 x 4 inches (14.8 x 10.3 cm). Edges somewhat worn; else in very good condition. Robeson, who made his sympathy with communism explicit, traveled to the Soviet Union as early as 1934, was courted in the Soviet-dominated world as long as he lived and traveled there regularly. His persecution by the House Un-American Activities committee in the 1950s was almost inevitable.
Other:
British trading card from "Radio Celebrities," no. 23 of a series of 50 cards, issued by The Imperial Tobacco (of Great Britain and Ireland), Ltd, sold with cigarette pack of the W.D. and H.O. Wills brand. Caption makes reference to Ellington's 1933 British tour. 2.75 x 1.75 inches (6.7 x 3.5 cm).