Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Book, ca. 1920
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GUEST:
I don't really know a whole lot about the book. I believe it's the first African American beauty book.
APPRAISER:
How did you acquire the book?
GUEST:
A friend of mine-- I'm a hairdresser.
APPRAISER:
Uh-huh.
GUEST:
And he give me the book. He thought I might enjoy it.
APPRAISER:
The cover title says it's the “Text Book of Madam C.J. Walker”
GUEST:
...Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
...”Schools of Beauty Culture.”
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
So, at first blush, it just seems to be a textbook. And in the antiquarian book trade, we don't think a whole lot of most textbooks.
GUEST:
Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
But you really caught my attention when you said that this was a early hair products and hair care and styling book for African American women. Did you learn anything from the book?
GUEST:
There are some home remedies I've tried out of the book. And then some of the product in the book you can no longer get.
APPRAISER:
Well, the book's around 100 years old, so...
GUEST (laughing): Really.
APPRAISER:
Not surprising.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Let's open the book up here.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
To the title page.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
There we have the "Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Manual." First edition. And it, indeed, is... the very first book published for hair styling and fashion for African American women. There's one more page I'd like to turn to that shows some of the hair care products. Quite a big, healthy line of different products.
GUEST:
Yes, it was very fascinating to me, looking at it, and looking at the prices back then.
APPRAISER (laughs): Pretty nostalgic.
GUEST:
Yes, yes.
APPRAISER:
You said that some of the methods and products involved in the book are still valid today?
GUEST:
Some are, and some are not.
APPRAISER:
Okay. You would know far more about that than I.
GUEST:
Yes, I am a licensed beautician.
APPRAISER:
Madam Walker was actually Sarah Breedlove. She was born on a Louisiana plantation in 1867.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
Her family were a slave family on a plantation.
GUEST:
Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
And she was the first child in her family born into freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation.
GUEST:
I didn't know that.
APPRAISER:
And the company that bears her name is still in business to this day, making hair and facial products for African American women.
GUEST:
Really?
APPRAISER:
She also, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the first American self-made millionaire female.
GUEST:
Are you serious? I didn't know that, either. (laughs): I had no clue.
APPRAISER:
Pretty fascinating.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Do you have an idea of what the book's worth?
GUEST:
I'm not for sure what it's worth. Maybe $3,000?
APPRAISER:
The book's in very good condition.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
It's not a fine-condition copy.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
But in today's market, with the interest in early and important African American material...
GUEST:
Uh-huh.
APPRAISER:
The first edition of this book is scarce enough that at retail, this book would sell for $10,000-plus.
GUEST (laughing): $10,000! Are you serious?
APPRAISER:
I am serious.
GUEST:
Oh, you're kidding!
APPRAISER:
No, I'm not.
GUEST:
$10,000?
APPRAISER:
Yes, ma'am.
GUEST:
Oh. (laughing) I don't believe it. Thank you.
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