Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), Signed Tuskegee Institute Letterhead

Single sheet, The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute letterhead, Alabama, signed by Washington, and dated August 1, 1912; in the typed letter (now faded), Washington writes to Mr. Julius F. Taylor in Chicago: "My dear Sir, I want to thank you for the generous way in which you are treating the Business League. I feel most grateful to you. Yours very truly, Booker T. Washington."; with a separate and much later envelope that celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Washington as principal of the Tuskegee Institute and that includes a U.S. Postage stamp for the Centennial of Booker T. Washington; letter and envelope presented together matted and in a wooden frame.

Sight size (letter) 8 1/2 x 8 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 19 1/8 x 13 x 1 1/8 in.

Private Durham, North Carolina Collection

Booker T. Washington was an educator and speaker. He was born into slavery in Virginia, and when his family was freed following the Civil War they moved to West Virginia. After receiving his education at the Hampton Institute and in Washington, D.C., Washington went on to become principal of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Julius F. Taylor (1853-1934) was the founder and editor of the African American newspaper The Broad Ax which he published first in Salt Lake City and then later in Chicago.

Letter with expected fold lines from mailing, light creasing, subtle areas of damp staining, and a few scattered spots of foxing; the typed text of the letter is extremely faded though possible to read with magnification; the signature remains strong; the envelope with very light wear from use; not examined outside the frame.