Black History Month & Vintage Black Americana Books

The origin of Black History Month can be traced to the 1915 collaboration of historian Carter G. Woodson and civic leader Jesse E. Moorland, co-founders of the organization now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The group sponsored a national Negro History week in February of 1926. This was a time when many Americans were already commemorating the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, while Black communities were commemorating the birthday of Frederick Douglas--two American greats whose life work had a profound impact on Black American history.

Fifty years later, with a push from the educated intellectual younger generation, the Association leveraged its influence to shift from a week to a month long celebration. Since President Gerald R. Ford's official recognition in 1976, every American president--regardless of party affiliation--has recognized Black History Month and endorsed the annual theme.

Panoply Books recognizes the significance of this history for Americans of all ethnic backgrounds. Even the offensive material offers some important--if not favorable--commentary on our culture and values. Panoply Books was honored to acquire a wonderful, extensive and diverse collection of Black Americana to deepen our formerly more modest selection. Our current collection of Black Americana is focused on vintage books, with subjects ranging from history, biographies, academia, fiction, poetry and art.

February may be the official Black History Month, but it is a history to be remembered--and collected--all year. Panoply continues to add to our collection with new listings every week. "Black memorabilia, sometimes called Black Americana, describes objects and ephemera relating to African American and Afro-European history. Most of this material was produced from the 18th through the 20th centuries. Frequently, these household items reflect racist ideas about black people through offensive and dehumanizing caricatures. However, black memorabilia also encompasses objects with positive connotations, commemorating civil rights advances or achievements by scholars, artists, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other members of the black community." (collectors' weekly)

Early 20th Century Thoughts on Race in the United States--DuBois in The Souls of Black Folk

Was he ahead of his time? Was he prescient? Was he a prophet? Certainly, he was brilliant, and his scintillating writing continues to grab a reader's attention to this day.

Some of us yet hope, that as the generations slide by with the years, that some of the old and rigid insensitive attitudes will fade into distant memory. Even as the idea of a flat earth has fallen from favor and use (if not into complete obscurity), so too may the notions that race or skin color in any way indicate worth, ability or even a difference.

Here are a few notable W.E.B. Du Bois quotes:

“I believe that all men, black, brown, and white, are brothers.”

“Either America will destroy ignorance or ignorance will destroy the United States.”

“What do nations care about the cost of war, if by spending a few hundred millions in steel and gunpowder they can gain a thousand millions in diamonds and cocoa?”

“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”
~ Three African-American Classics: up from Slavery, the Souls of Black Folk and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Here's to hoping the people of the world can rise above superficial differences to a more united future. United We Stand, and all that good stuff.

We're excited to offer this handsome first edition of The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois, in addition to other books of his writings.