Description
First edition of Oak and Ivy by Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of only 500 copies published in 1893.
Twelvemo, [1]-62, [4]. Gray-green cloth, title in gilt on front cover. Rubbing to rear cover. Previous ownership inscription on rear endpaper, “M.J. Snowden,” in pencil. No priority to cloth color, which also includes blue and russet. The complete collection of 56 original poems, published with the private funds of the author. The author of this book, Paul L. Dunbar (1872-1906) was born in Dayton, Ohio. Oak and Ivy is his first collection of poetry, with important verses such as “Ode to Ethiopia,” and “Sympathy.” (BAL 4916) An exceptionally rare piece.
The owner of this book, Mrs. Maria Josephine Snowden, was an African American woman from Lexington, Kentucky. She eventually moved to Dayton, Ohio, and later lived in Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Snowden had two daughters: Anna Jean Snowden, a graduate of Howard University, was a teacher, and Lillian Snowden Bazley was a bookkeeper, who eventually went on to become the Right Worthy Grand Secretary of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Richmond, Virginia, succeeding Maggie L. Walker after Walker’s death in 1934.
