W.C. HANDY'S COLLECTION OF NEGRO SPIRITUALS de HANDY, W.C

HANDY, W.C. W.C. HANDY'S COLLECTION OF NEGRO SPIRITUALS. NY: Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc., [1938]. Small quarto: printed wraps. First Edition. A collection of 32 Negro spirituals with an interesting association between two prominent African-Americans. Signed presentation from Handy on the title page: "To Editor New Age Dispatch, very good wishes, W.C. Handy, 10-6-38." The New Age Dispatch was a Los Angeles-based African-American newspaper whose editor and founder was Frederick Madison Roberts. Roberts is a direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson and his slave/mistress Sally Hemings. Information now reveals that Jefferson's 38-year relationship with Hemings produced seven chidlren, of which two died in infancy. Frederick Madison Roberts was apparently a direct descendant of one of these surviving children. Roberts was the first black man to be elected to the California State Assembly and served from 1918 to 1936. He founded the New Age Dispatch newspaper, became a friend of Earl Warren's, and helped found the University of California at Los Angeles. Very Good condition (little soil covers). A nice association copy!! $750.00.