Black Orpheus: A Journal of the Arts In Africa. Vol. 6. No. 2
Lagos, Nigeria: University of Lagos Press, 1993. 1st Edition. Quarto, publisher's stapled stiff illustrated paper wraps.
Late (and possibly final) issue of Nigerian journal of "neo-African" literature and art Black Orpheus, founded by German professor Ulli Beier in 1957 as the first African literary journal in English. Beier, a European expatriate in Nigeria, ended his involvement after 22 issues due to the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, handing off control of the magazine to native Nigerians for the second and later series. The journal was known for publishing poetry, art, fiction, and literary criticism and helped its pan-African authors reach an international audience, and boasted an advisory committee that included Chinua Achebe, Aime Cesaire, Wole Soyinka, and other luminaries of African letters. After a series of logistical printing and distribution issues, Black Orpheus ceased publication in 1975, but resumed again in 1981 under the stewardship of its fourth and final editor Theo Vincent. Includes poetry by Cyril I. Obi and Reginald Martin, and essays by B.M. Ibitokun, R.N. Egudu, and Olatubosub Ogunsanwo; and with a cumulative index for all issues of the magazine heretofore. Minor edgewear to wraps. Near fine. Uncommon. Item #9287
$275.00