This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
TOOMER, Jean (1894–1967). Essentials. Chicago: [Lakeside Press for Jean Toomer], 1931. 12mo. Original publisher’s black cloth affixed with printed blue title labels on upper cover and spine. Provenance: Emily H. Otis (1906–1999), ownership signature dated 7 April 1931. LIMITED EDITION, number 27 of 1000 copies SIGNED BY TOOMER on limitation. IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION COPY INSCRIBED BY TOOMER TO EMILY OTIS: “For Emily, princess, Jean”. Toomer met Otis in December 1930 at a lecture in Chicago and immediately fell in love and wanted to marry her. Their intense friendship ended when Emily’s parents became aware of Toomer’s racial history and lack of finances. “Princess on Earth” was one of his endearing nicknames for her.