[Folk Art - Ohio - Elijah Pierce] Celebrated Columbus, Ohio Folk Artist Elijah Pierce - Signed "Barbering Manual" with Rare Broadside, Signed Exhibition Catalogue and Photo Portrait

(Elijah Pierce, Woodcarver, Barber).  MODERN TEXTBOOK OF BARBERING: A PRACTICAL COURSE ON THE SCIENTIFIC FUNDEMENTALS OF BARBERING FOR STUDENTS AND PRACTICING BARBERS.  Akron, Ohio: The Riggs-LeMar Institute, 1945. 5 1/4 by 8 inches in green cloth with black titling to the upper cover and spine. The great American folk artist, Elijah Pierce, was born in Mississippi but lived and worked as a barber for over forty years in Columbus, Ohio. Included in this group is Pierce’s personal barbering textbook signed and dated in his characteristically ornate hand: “Elijah Pierce’s Book A.D. 1947.” Pierce also wrote on the rear endpage: “Elijah Pierce 144 Everette Ave Columbus Ohio.” On the blank page prior to the rear endpage Pierce wrote: “Baldwyn Miss. Mrs. Mamie Bradley My Baby Sister.”  The autograph and inscriptions are in excellent condition; the book lacks pages 15-18 which were torn out. Also included with this unique Pierce item is an original broadside (11” x 6”) advertising, “The Mammoth Sacred Art Demonstration,” which is a reference to one of Pierce’s great masterpieces illustrating the life of Christ, known as THE BOOK OF WOOD. In addition there is a Pierce-signed copy of the 1973 Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts exhibition entitled “Elijah Pierce Wood Carver,” and an original 8 by 10 inch silver print portrait photographs of Pierce taken at a gallery opening in 1982.

The "Modern Textbook of Barbering" shows external wear and staining, heavier to the lower cover; the other items in the group are in Very Good condition.

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