Booker T. Washington Signature as Principal of Tuskegee

Booker T. Washington
n.p., n.d.

Booker T. Washington Signature as Principal of Tuskegee
Signature

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915). His signature, "Booker T. Washington," as principal, on a slip torn from a letter evidently campaigning for financial donations to tuition for the students. 1p, 8.5" x 1.75"-2.5", no place, no date. Two vertical folds with separation at bottom edge. One fold passes through the "a" of Washington's signature. Lightly toned with minor creasing. Faint remnants of previous repair at an otherwise blank verso. In very good condition.

Washington was an American educator, author, and orator. Between 1890 and 1915, he was the primary leader in the African American community and of the contemporary Black elite. Born into slavery on April 5, 1856, in Hale's Ford, Virginia, Washington was freed when U.S. troops reached the area during the Civil War. As a young man, he worked his way through Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and attended college at Wayland Seminary. In 1881, he was named as the first leader of the new Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, an institute for black higher education. For his contributions to American society, Washington was granted an honorary master's degree from Harvard University in 1896, followed by an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College. At the center of Tuskegee University, the Booker T. Washington Monument was dedicated in 1922. Called Lifting the Veil of Ignorance, the monument has an inscription reading: "He lifted the veil of ignorance from his people and pointed the way to progress through education and industry."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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