George S. Schuyler Signed Photograph.

SCHUYLER, George S..

Item Number: 124318

Black and white photograph signed by conservative African American writer and civil rights activist George S. Schuyler at the beginning of his journalism career, “George S Schuyler 10/5/24.” After serving nine months in prison for deserting his military post in Hawaii when a Greek immigrant refused to shine his shoes because of his skin color, Schuyler moved to New York where his outspoken conservative views and disdain for socialism caught the eye of H. L. Mencken, who wrote, “I am more and more convinced that [Schuyler] is the most competent editorial writer now in practice in this great free republic.” Schuyler contributed ten articles to the American Mercury during Mencken’s tenure as editor, all dealing with Black issues, and all notable for Schuyler’s wit and incisive analysis. In fine condition.

African-American author, journalist, and social commentator George Samuel Schuyler was best known for his staunch conservative views and sensational (and often controversial) articles dealing with Black issues. Throughout his career he published scores of columns, short stories, and novels, often under a pseudonym, his most notable being his 1926 article The Negro-Art Hokum and 1931 satire Black No More.