1951 God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson Hardcover

1955 God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson, Hardcover. Seven Negro Sermans in Verse. Drawings by Aaron Douglas, Lettings by C.B.Falls. The Viking Press New York. 56 pages. Good condition. No dust cover and has some white writing on cover.

This 1955 printing of God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse is a monumental work of American literature and art. Written by James Weldon Johnson, the poems capture the rhythmic, musical essence of traditional African American preaching. This edition is particularly prized for its collaboration with legendary Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas, whose iconic silhouette drawings provide a hauntingly beautiful visual counterpoint to the text. The elegant lettering by C.B. Falls further elevates the book into a cohesive piece of modernist design. Published by The Viking Press, this 56-page volume remains one of the most significant aesthetic achievements of its era.

The book is in good condition, featuring a strong binding and clean internal pages that allow Douglas’s artwork to truly shine. While it is offered without its original dust cover and bears some white writing on the front board from a previous owner, these elements add a sense of authentic history to a book that was clearly part of a working library. The raw, unadorned cover gives it a soulful, academic presence that fits perfectly into a collection of historical archives or a Mid-Century study. This is a vital acquisition for collectors of Black history, poetry, or 20th-century graphic art.

This item is vintage, over 70 years old. All measurements are close but approximate. I measure in quarter inches.