Samella S. Lewis & Ruth Waddy - Black Artists on Art - 1969-1971

First Edition. Two volumes profiling the credos and work of a large swath of black artists during the late 1960s/early 1970s. Co-edited by artists Samella S. Lewis and Ruth Waddy, the books were published by Contemporary Crafts, the first African American art publishing house, which was founded by Lewis and artist/actor Bernie Casey. Mostly focusing on artists who are "generally unrecognized, not because they are ignored but because they are seldom observed" (p. vii). Each artist is profiled with a photograph, an artist's statement and selections of their work. Two perfect-bound volumes, xi, 132 p.; xii, 140 p., both volumes heavily illustrated.

This is a pair of Very RARE Black Artists on Art (Vols. 1 - 2) HARDCOVER Books, 1969 1971, co-edited by African American artistic luminaries Samella Lewis (1923 - 2022) and Ruth G. Waddy (1909 - 2003.) These books are hard to find, and impossible to find as a Hardcover Set. The book on the left has some waviness to the paper on some of the pages, and the book on the right has a few small tears and edge wear to the paper dust jacket (please see all photos carefully.) These books were display copies from the long-closed Gallery/Tanner in Los Angeles, California. This gallery was founded by Samella Lewis. I acquired the entire remaining contents of this closed down and important early Los Angeles African American art gallery, and will be listing many more important, historic, and incredibly rare 1960's - 1970's Black Arts Movement artwork and ephemera in the days and weeks to come. An original Gallery/Tanner pamphlet and addressed piece of mail will be included with this sale as provenance.