Lyrics of Lowly Life by Paul Laurence Dunbar (RARE Third Edition), 1903 📜✨🎭

1. Introduction 📜🔍🤯

This is an exceedingly rare and historically significant third edition of Lyrics of Lowly Life by the pioneering African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Published in 1903, this volume is a foundational work of American literature and a pivotal text in the history of African American letters. Its value is derived from its rarity, its personal and intimate nature, and its profound impact on generations of writers and readers.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

This book is a collection of poems that established Dunbar as a leading voice of his time. It features a mix of poems in both standard English and in the dialect that brought him national acclaim. The book explores themes of racial pride, social justice, and the realities of life for African Americans, offering a poignant and multifaceted portrayal of their lives and struggles. The first edition of this book contained a celebrated introduction by William Dean Howells, the most influential literary critic of the time, which brought Dunbar to a national audience.

3. About the Author 🇫🇷✍️🏛️

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. The son of former slaves, he became one of the first African American writers to make his living solely from his writings and to attain national and international prominence. His work had a profound impact on the poets of the Harlem Renaissance and continues to be influential in discussions on race in America. He was a close friend of the Wright brothers and received the encouragement of James Whitcomb Riley, a fact that speaks to his respected position in the literary world.

4. Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1903, this book arrived during a period of immense racial prejudice in America, often called the "lowest historical moment for African Americans." Dunbar's poems, both in dialect and in standard English, represent the contradictions of the era and his artistic struggle to balance his work for a predominantly white audience with a powerful need to give voice to the African American experience. This book is a primary source document for understanding the complex social and political dynamics of the turn of the 20th century.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This volume is a curated acquisition for a specific class of collector who prizes unique provenance and the direct history of an item. The ideal purchaser is a curator of African American literature, a scholar of American poetry, or a collector of first editions of foundational works. This is an item for a collector who seeks to own a tangible piece of a historical narrative, connecting them directly to a groundbreaking figure who fought for recognition and artistic expression in a hostile world.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This book represents a unique and non-replicable asset class. Its value is derived from its extraordinary scarcity as an authentic, early edition. First and early editions of Dunbar’s work are highly sought after, as many copies were heavily used and did not survive. Its status as a cornerstone piece of American literary history makes it a highly desirable acquisition. This is a strategic investment in a historically significant, non-correlated asset.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

A detailed condition report is not possible without an in-hand examination. However, based on the provided listing, the book is a genuine and handsome survivor with its original quarter-leather and marbled board binding. The binding shows authentic wear, including a detached front cover and tape on the back cover, which is consistent with the book's age. The provenance includes a personal sticker from the "Library of Sarah D Gray," which adds a personal and historical dimension to its history.

8. Translation of Inscriptions ✍️📜🔤

The provided listing notes the presence of a personal sticker that reads, "Library of Sarah D Gray SDG."

• Commentary: This sticker is a key piece of the book's provenance, linking it to a specific individual who owned this volume.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• A Foundational Text: Dunbar is considered the first African American to make his living solely as a writer, and his work paved the way for future generations.

• Dialect Poetry: Dunbar’s dialect poetry, which was praised by William Dean Howells, was highly popular with white audiences but became a source of controversy for later critics.

• The Wright Brothers Connection: Dunbar was a high school classmate and lifelong friend of Orville Wright, who, along with his brother Wilbur, printed Dunbar's first newspaper.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Lyrics of Lowly Life

• Author: Paul Laurence Dunbar

• Publisher: Dodd, Mead, and Company

• Year: 1903

• Place: New York

• Format: Hardcover, quarter-leather and marbled board binding

• Edition: Third Edition

• Rarity: Rare due to its status as a foundational work of American literature and its age.