Beier (Ulli) and Ezekiel Mphahlele, editors. Black Orpheus.
£575
A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.16
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, October 1964..
Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.
An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes ‘Four Poems’ by Paul Theroux.
“The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers.” (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.
Out of stock
A very good copy.
Illustrations.
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First edition, first impression; review copy with publisher's printed slip. 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket, priced £1.50.
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First edition. 8vo. Original pictorial wrappers.
Inspired by the songs and verse traditions of the author's native Ewe people, this marked the publishing debut of the Ghanaian poet and author Williams, also known as Kofi Awoonor. Uncommon in this condition.
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African literature
A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.15
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, August 1964.
Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.
An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal, with cover design by Jacob Afolabi.
"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.
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First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced £1.50.
Chukwuemeka Ike (1931–2020) was a Nigerian writer known for his satirical novels that often critiqued societal issues. His works blend humor with serious commentary on African society and traditions.