The Black Pages: Business and Professional Directory; 1971-1972 Edition

New York: Black Pages Incorporated, 1971-1972. VG+ in stiff paper wraps (rubbing and light creasing to wraps, small dampstain to textblock edge).
 
The inaugural issue of The Black Pages, a classified shopping directory devoted to Black-owned enterprises in the metro New York area that maintained a loyal readership into the late 70s. Raymond Somerville established the directory in 1971 as a struggling proprietor of a framing company. The mission of the directory was to showcase “the diversity of Black talent functioning day to day in New York City” and to strengthen the economic fortunes of the Black community. Includes hundreds of ads for Black-owned businesses and professional services (including hair goods and weaving, record shops, bookstores, boutiques, travel agencies, and restaurants). Numerous black and white photos and drawings throughout.
 
Quite scarce—no copies in auction records, commerce, or found by us in OCLC. Item #1227

Price: $1,500.00