#dedicationcopy

15 years in the rare book business and we finally got the chance to handle a dedication copy! We recently appraised Ida Guggenheimer’s copy of Ralph Ellison’s first book, Invisible Man. The author dedicated it to her, and thus her copy was presented and inscribed to her by him. We feel so fortunate to have handled it! Go check out @bbrarebooks for the full story on Ralph and Ida, if you haven’t already ☺️ Such a memorable moment in our careers. #dedicationcopy #ralphellison #invisibleman #idaguggenheimer #rarebooks #signedbook #bookstagram #firstbook #presentationcopy (at B & B Rare Books, Ltd.) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQI1epAesN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v2bow1e7jchw

22 lines of corrections to front endpaper, notations in margins of text throughout, typed corrections on envelope laid in: Dedicatee Ida Guggenheimer’s hand-corrections to her first edition #presentationcopy of Invisible Man #ralphellison #invisibleman #idaguggenheimer #dedicationcopy #rarebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQAMVoHEZx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=94nl5lhud8n5

Ralph Ellison with feminist and civil rights activist Ida Espen Guggenheimer. This photograph of benefactor and protégé accompanies Ida’s dedication copy of Invisible Man; the same powerful image is @librarycongress among her paper and letters. In addition to nurturing young talent, she worked on social causes alongside Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Sanger, to name but a few. Ida campaigned tirelessly for women’s suffrage, trade union rights, civil rights, and sponsored refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. #idaguggenheimer #invisibleman #ralphellison #rarebooks #dedicationcopy (at B & B Rare Books, Ltd.) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNJZG6njKM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18so9wyowu2pg

The dedication copy of Invisible Man (1952) by Ralph Ellison. The #dedicationcopy is an early copy of a book presented by the author to whom it is dedicated. It is one of a kind. The dedicatee is Mrs. Ida Guggenheimer, who mentored Ellison. As the warm inscription indicates here, she provided much support to the young author while he completed his first book. After 15 years in rare books, we were delighted to be able to appraise this important copy. #invisibleman #ralphellison #rarebooks #signedbook #firstbook #firstpost (at B & B Rare Books, Ltd.) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLQSyDHmbc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lfmr7ksuukc6