March Exceptional Estates Auction
Lot 50:
Description
Exceedingly rare, dated 1935 manuscripts of Ezekiel books, handwritten, with ink and watercolor illustrations by author E.C. Garner (American, 1886-1956) of Sanford, Florida. Accompanied by cloth and pipe cleaner dolls — also made by Garner — attached with thread to the original display box. Garner published the first Ezekiel book in 1937. Both of the books are dated November 1935. A third leaf — a partial manuscript — appears to be the beginning of another story book. [From Wikipedia:] As noted in a positive review in The New York Times, [Ezekiel] had an unusual format for the time, with “droll little sketches in color scattered lavishly through the printed pages as an integral part of the text” often forming the words of the story, itself. Ezekiel was advertised heavily with “display material in the form of window sets, sets of dolls illustrating the story and made — by the author — out of pipe cleaners, etc.” This collection eclipses a similar set offered by Swann Galleries (June 10, 2015), which featured a smaller group of figures and only a single manuscript. The figures depict Ezekiel, his parents, his “Unc’ Adam Joshua” (described in one of the books as “an he powful ole”), his sister Emancipation, his baby brother Assefetida, and his dog Augustus. Books measure about 9″ x 6″. This historic collection of important, early 20th century Black Americana reflects the caricatured, insensitive and unkind portrayals of African Americans, regrettably common to some of the literature of the period. This item can be shipped in-house. Multiple lot combined shipping may require 3rd Party shipping.
Condition
See images. Books have toning and paperclip marks. Watercolors vibrant.
Share this lot:
