Black Majesty: The Life of Christophe King of Haiti

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1928. First Edition. Octavo. Frontispiece, 207 pages. Illustrated by Mahlon Blaine. This is the life of a man. The author had added nothing to the sparse records of old books and the fading memories that linger in the minds of men in his own country. Nor had he left anything out, except a few foolish, though extraordinarily common, legends that he found had no historical basis whatever. Christophe, as is often the ill-fortune of great men, has been remembered chiefly by his enemies and the cruel and silly tales they told of him. This is not a "work of reference," but the author had appended a selected bibliography. A very (truncated) good copy bound in 3/4 black cloth over decorative paper covered boards, spine gilt (gilt fading), pictorial endpapers, two bumped corners, bookplate of collector Noel Sullivan, as well as his name with his San Francisco address stamped on the front pastedown, top edge and foredge of the book. wealthy American concert singer, philanthropist, and patron of the arts, who is remembered for entertaining performers, artists, and writers in his opulent residence on Hyde Street, San Francisco. He befriended many African Americans, providing support for their welfare. (Inventory #: 031045)