Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
An interesting look into the unfortunate attitudes on race in the south shortly after the turn of the century. From his letters and broadside advertising his book Caste and Class! (of which this researcher could find no record), it's obvious that the Civil War was still being fought in his mind. The broadside, 6" x 12.5", advertises his book by apparently using excerpts from the first chapter. The teasers include, part: "This chapter gives the reader his first glimpse of CASTE and CLASS in the social structure of the United States - the six COLORS and meaning of each...The Christians pray "Thy Kingdom come", the Abolitionists, "Let whatever thou hast created pass away...CASTE and CLASS will tell the people where they should marry and where they should not marry." He indicates a first printing of 10,000 but the book was either so odious or unpopular that this researcher could find no extant records for the book under that title. The letters include the following: Autograph Letter Signed "B. W. Herring". Two pages, 6" x 9.5", on The Goldsboro Argus letterhead, Goldsboro, North Carolina, June 6, 1903, to B. S. Herring (his brother), Tallahassee, Florida. Herring writes his book (yet to be published) will be a "revelation to the Yankees if it ever gets in print. A New York firm is corresponding with me about it I think & can interest the publishers with and secure a wide circulation." With the usual fold creases, else fine. Autograph Letter Signed "B. W. Herring". Four pages, 5.5" x 8.75", Calypso, North Carolina, July 2, 1903, to B. S. Herring (his brother), Tallahassee, Florida, with the original transmittal envelope. He writes, in part: "Burning the negro alive in Washington seems to be the yankees way of dealing with the race question. The negro must not touch the yankee woman, but when he assaulted a southern woman the yankee cried out "give him a fair trial". I went to Mt. Olive yesterday and every body was laughing at the yankee reaping what he sewed. The south is sending negroes north to give the yankee a little practical knowledge of his brother in black." With the usual fold creases, else fine.
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