HUGHES, Langston (1901-1967). Not Without Laughter. New York and London: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.

8vo. Title-page printed in brown and black. Original cloth, top edge stained blue (spine and extremities sunned, small abrasion on spine). Provenance: Noël Sullivan (presentation inscription, bookplate); by descent to present owner.

FIRST EDITION, one of only 2,500 copies printed. INSCRIBED BY HUGHES TO SULLIVAN: “To Noel – this novel of a people he understands; with my regard and affection – Sincerely, Langston. San Francisco, May 23, 1932.”

On May 15th, 1932, Langston Hughes met Noël Sullivan for the first time. Hughes learned about Sullivan from an instructor and his wife from Pine Bluff Arkansas, Arthur and Juanita Williams, whose sister, Eulah Pharr, was Sullivan’s housekeeper. Hughes was a guest of Sullivan’s until May 23rd, when he left for Portland and Seattle, when he presumably gave Sullivan this volume as an expression of his gratitude. Hughes made an immediate impression on Sullivan, who wrote to Hughes as he was heading out of town: “ ‘Without any possible disloyalty to the great people of your race that it has been my privilege to know…I want to assure you that never has anyone of them inspired in me the unqualified regard and admiration that I feel for you. Indeed, had I been told ten days ago that your integrity (and by that word I think I mean more than is implied in its customary usage) existed anywhere – I should have been skeptical… The contact with you has extended immeasurably for me a sense of tenderness toward everyone” (Rampersad, Life, Vol. I, pp.239-240).
Fine African Americana from the Collections of Noël Sullivan & William P. and Alice D. Mahoney