Between the Covers

Unbound. Two pages of typed notes, annotated in the hand of Booker T. Washington, unsigned, written on the rectos of two octavo leaves of paper. Modest creases and small tears, fold marks, very good.

Washington was a talented improvisational speaker, and rarely wrote his speeches out whole, delivering them from notes and talking points such as these – usually a list of phrases that would presumably trigger an idea or anecdote. From just such brief notes, Washington could deliver long and eloquent speeches. For example, after the typed heading "Lincoln University June 1, 1909," the speech begins with the following phrases on separate lines: "Debt to Lincoln," "What education should do," "Opposition brings out best," "Liberty. Haiti," "Miss. and S.C." and so forth. In a few places Washington has handwritten in a new topic, for instance "Whiskey" and "Earth full of Riches." In others, he has elaborated on a typed topic, for instance he has added "8 mos. in Macon County" to the typed line: "Chance for self government" and handwritten "Negro History" after the typed "Individual success." On the verso of the second page, Washington has handwritten a numbered list of five additional topics including "Two in ditch," "more kinds of changes" and "School term."

An excellent example of Washington's notes for a speech; we can find no reference to a printed version of this particular speech.

Item #93401