The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) makes its much anticipated return to the Park Avenue Armory from April 21-24, 2022, for its 62nd edition. Widely considered the world’s finest antiquarian book fair, this year’s NYIABF is thrilled to showcase nearly 200 exhibitors from around the world, continuing its legacy of being a highly international event. Exhibitors will present a vast treasure trove of items: rare books, maps, illuminated manuscripts, incunabula, fine bindings, illustrations, historical documents, rare prints, print ephemera, and more. For more information and for tickets, visit www.nyantiquarianbookfair.com.
Ailey, Alvin. (1931–1989) & de Lavallade, Carmen. (b. 1931) [Rapport, Will]. Blues Suite – Signed Photograph. Original ca. 1960 Will Rapport photograph of the dancers in performance in “Blues Suite” (sometimes also titled “Roots of the Blues”) which launched the Ailey company in 1958 and is often documented as the choreographer’s first masterpiece.
Roach, Max. (1924–2007) & Lincoln, Abbey. (1930–2010). “We Insist!” – Signed LP.
Signed Swedish reissue of the jazz drummer’s 1960 album, “We Insist!” inscribed on the back “For Ken, Max 11/26/80” and also signed at a later date by singer Abbey Lincoln, whose signature is dated 1983. Jazz drummer Max Roach and singer Oscar Brown began work on the “Freedom Now Suite” in early 1960, intending to perform it in 1963 on the 50th anniversary of Emancipation. A recording was released in December of 1960 under the title “We Insist!” The work was consciously and explicitly political, with movements spanning slavery, emancipation, the Civil Rights Movement, and African independence movements. The photograph on the cover evokes the lunch counter sit-ins that were a regular feature of civil rights protests.
The First Actor of African Descent to Play Othello: A Signed Copy
[Aldridge (Ira).] Barabás (Miklós): Ira Aldridge. African tragedian. Member of the order of Art and Science conferred by his Majesty King William 4th of Prussia and holder of the medal of Leopold and the White Cross etc. A rare, inscribed portrait of the famous actor. Dated Berlin 1861, it is inscribed to “Madame Arline Bach with the best wishes of Ira Aldridge.” Born in New York City, Ira Aldridge (1807-1867) attended the African Free School and opted for a career on the stage rather than the clergy, as his father preferred. While he got his start in the Brown’s Theatre (known as the African Theatre), New York, his prospects were brighter in England and he emigrated in 1824. Aldridge’s debut came the next year in a production of “The Revolt of Suriname” in which he played the enslaved prince Oroonoko. Other roles followed quickly, such as “The Ethiopian,” “The Libertine Defeated,” and “The Negro’s Curse,” which was written for him. For the next seven years he performed under the stage name the “African Roscius.” Importantly, his first performance as Othello was in 1826, making him the first actor of African descent to perform the role.
“Humanity” Cast-Iron Tobacco Box. An English tobacco box bearing the kneeling captive iconography of the abolitionist movement, dating to the mid-19th century.