SIGNED! Way Down South, Clarence Muse & David Arlen; Sloan, Blanding (woodcuts)

by Clarence Muse & David Arlen

$260 · At auction with eBay

First edition · Signed

SIGNED! Way Down South, Clarence Muse & David Arlen; Sloan, Blanding (woodcuts), Published by Hollywood: David Graham Fischer, Published, 1932. FIRST EDITION, Signed by Clarence Muse (rare signature - most signed copies are signed by David Arlen who was Muse's agent), Hardcover. Condition: Very Good, some toning to several pages, two (2) woodcut pages are loose, 146 pages. Limited Edition. Number 662 of 1000 copies, Signature by Clarence Muse. Stylishly illustrated with woodcuts by Blanding Sloan. US$ 300.00. A novel about black entertainers in the South. An outspoken proponent for the positive treatment of black performers, Muse (1889-1979) fought demeaning stereotypes for most his career. Clarence Muse was one of the first African American actors to star in a major motion picture. He appeared in more than 150 movies and wrote the script to the musical film adaptation of Way Down South with Langston Hughes. David Arlen, was famed African-American entertainer Clarence Muse's press representative. As such, he continually goaded his client to recall, in book form, his recollections of touring the early 20th Century southern Black vaudeville circuit. However, Muse - in the words of the old saying - was, apparently, too close to the forest to see the trees. Eventually, however, Arlen made a deal with his client; he would invite a roomful of mostly "civilian" (non-show biz) friends of his to assemble in Muse's digs, where the latter would recount anecdotes and perform songs from h

• Publisher: David Graham Fischer, Published, 1932
• Year: 1932
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good

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