Civil Rights Activists Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis Personally Owned Items, 7pc Archive

A group of seven items relating to husband and wife actor-activists Ossie Davis (1917-2005) and Ruby Dee (1922-2014), including 4 books signed and inscribed to the couple, as well as three identical programs from a tribute event, all signed by Dee. The materials span nearly 50 years of their marriage, ranging in date between 1949-2000. Varying degrees of page toning, bumped corners, and creasing throughout. Overall, very good- an interesting collection of materials from two leaders in African-American film. Please see below and accompanying images for further information.

The lot includes:

1.) The Tom Fletcher Story- 100 Years of the Negro in Show Business by Tom Fletcher. First edition, 337pp (New York: Burdge and Co., 1954). Written on the inside of front cover in Dee's distinctive hand: "Ruby and Ossie Davis, Dec. 1960", below featuring the stamp of the Negro Actors Guild of America, Inc. Additionally features the couple's property stamp on front flyleaf as well as on top and outer right end pages.

2.) 'Smoked Yankees' and the Struggle for Empire- Letters from Negro Soldiers, 1898-1902, edited by Willard B. Gatewood, Jr. Reprint series, 325pp (Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Press, 1987). Inscribed to Ossie Davis on half title page by fellow actor Michael O. Smith: "To Ossie, with much love + admiration!! Enjoy! Michael O.".

3.) The Smile of the World by Garson Kanin (New York: Dramatists Play Service Inc., 1949). 80pp. Inscribed by the playwright to Davis, reading in full: "This one is for Ossie, my idea of a man, my idea of an actor. With thanks and love, Garson Kanin/ N.Y.C. August 1949". Features the couple's property stamp above on front flyleaf. Notably, Dee and Davis would appear in the 1949 production of The Smile of the World in the roles of Evelyn and Stewart, respectively.

4.) The Visit- A Drama in Three Acts by Friedrich Deurrenmatt, adapted by Maurice Valency. (New York: Samuel French, Inc., 1958). Accompanied by 3pp of notes from actress Louise Beavers (1900-1962) in which she writes to Ossie and Ruby: "My Dears! Hope this helps. All my love, Louise". Annotated throughout by Beavers and other unknown hands. Earlier, Beavers and Dee acted as co-stars in the 1950 film The Jackie Robinson Story.

5.) A group of three signed programs for an event entitled "A Tribute to Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and benefit for the Betty Shabazz Wholistic Retreat Center", which took place on December 6, 2000. All have been signed as "Ruby Dee" at middle left. Shabazz (1934/36-1997) was the wife of Malcolm X and a notable Civil Rights activist.

Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis first met while costarring on Broadway in the 1946 production of Jeb by Robert Ardrey, which tackled the issue of race in post-World War II America. The two were married in 1948, and would go on to star in several film and TV productions together. In addition to their extensive careers in acting, and in the case of Davis, directing, they would notably use their influence within the industry to become leaders in political and Civil Rights activism. In particular, Dee was a member of both the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the NAACP, as well as being an active member of the Harlem Writers Guild for over 40 years. The couple was also involved in the organization of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, later serving as its emcees. As personal friends of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, Davis would give the eulogy at Malcolm's funeral in 1965 alongside Dr. Ahmed Osman.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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