Prologue: The Novels of Black American Women 1891-1965, by Carole McAlpine Watson.  This is Number 79 of the series Contributions in American Studies.  Hardcover, xviii + 168 pages, published without dust jacket by Greenwood Press 1985, first edition, first printing.  Inscribed and signed by Watson on the title page: "Mary Alice - I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did researching and writing it many years ago.  All best wishes, Carole M. Watson 2014."

 

This scholarly work of literary criticism and cultural history focuses on ten novels during the periods 1891-1920, 1921-1945 and 1946-1965, and discusses their literary characteristics and aesthetic achievement.  Watson explores the emergence of writings by Black women, the major concerns and themes of their fiction, and their special role within, and unique reflection of, Afro-American culture. She also delves into the broad characteristics of Afro-American fiction and compares it to mainstream American fiction.  The final fifty pages include appendices and an annotated bibliography with information on 58 novels.

From “About the Author” following p. 168: “Carole McAlpine Watson is an administrator at the National Endowment for the Humanities.  She has been a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education, Director of Inter-Cultural Programs at the Lindenwood Colleges in Saint Charles, Missouri, and founding faculty member and chair of the English Department at Opportunity School in Saint Louis, Missouri.” 

 

In excellent condition.  Binding is tight and square; black text on front and spine is clear and bright; a bit of wear to corners, top and bottom of spine; corners are slightly bumped; fold at top corner of each of pages 9, 53, 123.  This book was “Withdrawn by the University of Michigan Library” and has the usual library markings: small white sticker on top left of front cover; University of Michigan Libraries stamp on foredge, inside front cover, and first free endpaper; light pencil writing at top of first free endpaper, p. iv and p. v.  No library markings on spine.  Finally, a previous owner made pencil marks, either  [ ,    [    ] ,    (     or   (    )  on a total of five pages – all could be completely erased.

 

This is the first printing of an important work not often found with Watson’s inscription and signature.