McBlain Books

Autograph Letter Signed. Text: "Editor 'The PIttsburgh Currier' [sic] 1212 Wylie Avenue, City. Dear Sir, I have heard that your publication has and is in favor of African American Culture and alowing [sic] Creative writing features for previously unknown authors. I shall be pleased to hear from you concerning this at your earliest convenience. Yours truly Ella J. Baker ... City of New York."

Baker, Ella J[osephine], 1903-1986

New York: 1930. Handwrititen in pencil on one side of a leaf of inexpensive lined (and rather acidic) paper. 26 cm. Browned. Two light horizontal creases where this was presumably folded for mailing. Envelope not present. Baker was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and spent most of her childhood in North Carolina where she graduated with honors from Shaw University in Raleigh. We don't know if this letter reached the Courier or generated a response but it was Baker spreading her wings and ready to take flight. She was soon involved with the Young Negroes' Cooperative League (YNCL), founded by George S. Schuyler, then also an editorial writer for "The Pittsburgh Courier." She became that organization's "National Director" in 1931 and was soon involved in various other organizations. She became involved with the NAACP in 1938 in various paid, elected and volunteer positions. She became heavily involved the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 before shifting her oranizational and supportive efforts to the less sexist SNCC in 1960. She was also supportive of the Freedom Democratic Party efforts in Mississippi, etc. After 1968 or so, her main involvement seems to have been with causes such as socialism, Free Angela efforts, Puerto Rican Independence, ending Apartheid, etc. Very Good. Item #95608

Price: $850.00