Written by
Himes, Chester, American, 1909 - 1984
Published by
Doubleday & Company Inc., American, founded 1897
Printed by
Country Life Press, American
Date
1945
Medium
ink on wove paper and cardboard
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 3/4 × 5 7/16 × 7/8 in. (19.7 × 13.8 × 2.3 cm)
Caption
Chester Himes’ literary legacy has been largely forgotten, particularly outside literary circles. But before there was Walter Mosley, there was Chester Himes (1909 – 1984), whose seminal mid-20th century detective novels laid the foundation for African American urban crime fiction of today. If He Hollers Let Him Go (1945) is significant, not as a crime novel, but paradoxically as Himes’ very first novel, one he penned nine years after his release from prison for armed robbery, a crime committed in real life.
Description
A hardcover first edition of If He Hollers Let Him Go. Published in 1945, Chester Himes’s first (fiction) novel examines the conflicted position of its protagonist, who finds himself entangled in the traumas of racism and corrupt bureaucracy while working at a Los Angeles defense plant during the second World War. The book is protected by a plastic-covered yellow (front) and white (reverse) dust jacket. In large red bold font, the front reads: [CHESTER B. / HIMES / If He / Hollers / Let Him / Go / A NOVEL]. The same print is found on the yellow spine. On the reverse side of the dust jacket, the Doubleday Doran & Company Incorporated ship logo features at the top right corner. Beside the logo on the right, in large black print, is: [Towards a better / Understanding . . .]. Four novel synopses, also published by Doubleday Doran & Company Incorporated, are advertised on the remainder of the jacket.
Place depicted
Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Books and Published Materials
Type
hardcover books
Topic
Literature
Race relations
World War II
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.46.4
Restrictions & Rights
© Chester B. Himes
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51f44123a-375d-470e-9069-9c6cef1ceeb8

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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