Illustrated by
Douglas, Aaron, American, 1899 - 1979
Written by
Johnson, James Weldon, American, 1871 - 1938
Published by
Viking Press, founded 1925
Date
1927
Medium
ink on paper with cardboard
Dimensions
9 × 8 1/2 × 1/2 in. (22.9 × 21.6 × 1.3 cm)
Description
A second printing (July 1927) edition of a book of poems by James Weldon Johnson titled God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse. The book features eight poems, each with an illustration by Aaron Douglass and title lettering by C.B. Falls. The hardcover book has a cream paper dust jacket, worn at the spine and lightly soiled. On the front of the jacket is a rectangular illustration by Douglass for the poem, “The Judgement Day,” printed in contrasting black, white and shades of grey. The illustration depicts the central figure of the angel Gabriel, in profile, standing upon two globe-like geometric spheres, one higher than the other. The angel’s proper left knee is bent upon the higher sphere, with the proper left elbow resting on it. The other arm is raised and bent at the elbow, holding a trumpet to his lips. Two wings rise up from his shoulders. Behind Gabriel on the lower sphere are two crouching figures, the sinners. In the middle and on the higher sphere, two figures of the saved raise their hands above their heads to be received into heaven. Above the illustration, printed in red text is [GOD’S TROMBONES], below the illustration in smaller, red text is [SEVEN NEGRO SERMONS IN VERSE]. The author’s name [JAMES WELDON JOHNSON] is printed in black text at the bottom center. The inside title page features calligraphy in a free-form style based on Old English lettering, printed in a yellow-gold. The same yellow-gold lettering is used for the titles of the poems throughout the book. Each poem has an illustration by Douglass, in the same style as the cover with silhouetted figures against graphic, geometric backgrounds. The cover illustration appears again as the last illustration in the book, accompanying the poem “The Judgement Day.” There are 56 pages in the book. Printed on the back cover is a summary of the book, a short biography of the author, a quote about the poem “Go down Death” by H.L. Mencken, and the logo for the publisher, The Viking Press.The summary begins [The inspirational sermons of the old-time Negro preachers are here set down as poetry. Mr. Johnson tells in his preface of hearing these same themes treated by famous preachers in his youth; some of the sermons are still current, and like the Spirituals they have a significant place in Negro folk material].
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Movement
Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)
Type
hardcover books
Topic
Art
Christianity
Folklife
Poetry
Preaching
Religion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.34.2
Restrictions & Rights
Cover: © Aaron Douglas Foundation/Licensed by Visual Artists & Galleries Association, Inc (VAGA), New York, NY Book: © 1927, The Viking Press Inc
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd581fa2bc2-ef22-4318-89f7-fb73aac2bf38

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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