8vo. Original yellow cloth (tiny spot on upper cover); publisher's dust jacket (some slight rubbing to corners, light chipping, spine panel toned, small stain to rear panel). Provenance: William P. and Alice D. Mahoney (presentation inscription); by descent to present owner.

FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY HUGHES TO THE MAHONEYS: “Especially for the Mahoneys. Sincerely, Langston. New York, June, 1963.”

At the opening of the U. S. library in Accra, Langston Hughes dedicated the library shelves whose purpose was to “’offer an exchange of knowledge (not merely to give in the old patronizing sense), [through which] America is bolstering her own basic dreams, and finding here in Africa a new strengthening of the old concept of freedom in your liberated lands. Black Africa today is sending rejuvenation currents of liberty all over the earth…’ Few black Africans could hear these lines delivered by an American of any color and be unmoved” (Rampersad, Life. Vol. II, pp.355-6). The next day Hughes visited Ghana’s leading high school, Achimota College, with Alice Mahoney She recalled, “’They received Langston so beautifully… They loved him right away and he had them absolutely in the palm of his hand’” (ibid., p.356). Langston stayed on in Ghana with the Mahoneys for several more days through July 4th, during which time he made no other appearances. (See lots 235 and 236).