Bradford, Roark (1896 - 1948)

John Henry

New York: Literary Guild, (Harpers), 1931. Illustrations by J.J. Lankes. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover.

Publisher’s patterned cloth, foil label on spine. Decorated endpages. Top edge stained blue. Lacking spine foil label small chipping on lower edge. Spine sun-faded. Lacking the Dust Jacket. 8vo; 21 cm.; 8.25 inches; 225 pages plus publisher's Adds. Illustrated with 16 Woodcuts by J.J. Lankes including a two-color frontispiece. First Edition, First Printing.

Genres:  American Folk-Tales; African-American; Book Illustration; John Henry; Fables

The story based on the Ballad of John Henry, the "steel-drivin' man"; based on the African-American folk hero. It was made into a Broadway play and later a musical featuring Paul Robeson in the title role and Julie Anne as Ruby Elzy.

Background:
Roark Bradford was an American short story writer and novelist. At the time of his death, Bradford’s writings were very popular. Since the 1940s, however, much of his body of work has been reevaluated. Many criticize his work as patronizing and demeaning in its portrayal of black characters. [wiki]

Ref: Ency of Ark; Hathi

Item #19693

Price: $24.00