William Reese Company

Curious and Very Rare African-American Periodical, Apparently the Only Issue

THE READERS AND WRITERS CLUB OF AMERICA PRESENTS THE NEGRO STUDENT Vol. 1 No. 1 MAY 1937 [wrapper title].

[African Americana]: [Readers and Writers Club of America]:

[New York: Readers and Writers Club of America], 1937. 11,[1]pp. Original printed self-wrappers, stapled. Light wear, soiling, and uneven tanning to wrappers, some rust residue from staples. Soft vertical fold throughout with very short fold separations at bottom edge. Internally quite clean. Very good. Item #WRCAM56696

Only the third known copy of this inaugural issue of a periodical from the Readers and Writers Club of America, which claimed to have "a membership of Negro Youth all over America...." The preliminary sections include the rationale of the publication, explaining that "We wish to bring about a more intimate and sincere coordination between the leaders of today and those of tomorrow. Through this organ we seek to express ourselves on questions most vital to the welfare of the Race; the intelligent discussion of problems facing us as Negroes with aims to intelligent solution...." A statement of purpose follows, along with a list of African-American journalists and newspaper editors who volunteered to assist with the publication, including: Marcus C. Stewart of THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER (son of its founder George P. Stewart), R.L. Melton of the FORT WORTH MIND, Eustace Gay of THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE, and William O. Walker of THE CLEVELAND CALL-POST.

The work contains several short essays, including "An Approach to Aesthetic Appreciation" by E. Manasseh Ray, "A Fable in One Act" by A. Russell Teasdale, and the anonymous "Every One Can Learn to Write." This issue also features advertisements for the Niagara Falls Laundry Service, Re-Vi-Vo Blood Remedy, and the World Wide Mailing Club, the function of which "is to put you as a circular mailer in touch with advertisers either directly or indirectly," and which may be the basis for the publication of THE NEGRO STUDENT.

Not in OCLC, nor in Blockson. Danky and Hady's AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS lists only one copy, at Howard University. This firm recently sold one other copy to an institution. DANKY-HADY 4197.

Price: $1,500.00