Carl Van Vechten

Carl Van Vechten, (June 17, 1880 – December 21, 1964), celebrated American writer and photographer, original, approximately 6.5 x 10, silver-print photograph of flowers commemorating the 45th Wedding Anniversary of Van Vechten and wife Fania.

Harold Jackman (1901-1961), public schoolteacher and patron of the arts best known as a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Jackman maintained his position as a high school social studies teacher in the New York public school system for more than thirty years. During that time, he built an impressive memorabilia collection which theater programs, sheet music, manuscripts and audio tapes. He began donating portions of his collection to Atlanta University in the 1920s and encouraged influential friends like Langston Hughes to do the same. The collection Jackman amassed along with his vast personal letter collection have been invaluable to later scholars of African American culture and the Harlem Renaissance. He also helped Van Vechten build the James Weldon Johnson Memorial Collection at Yale University.

Van Vechten, the celebrated American writer and photographer, was the literary executor of Gertrude Stein and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance movement. He captured iconic images of all the key members in the worlds of Art, Theater, Music, and Literature. Van Vechten viewed his photography as a hobby; he never took commissions, he never sold photographs. He would grant permission to publish them, but had strict requirements to do so. He was a prominent fixture in 20th century photography collections with his work being included in such institutions as The Library of Congress, The Museum of The City of New York and The Smithsonian Institution.

Verso bears original credit stamping, title 'Harold Jackman's Birthday Flowers to CVV on his 79 Birthday,' unique roman numeral archive number 'XXIX ii 17,' and printing date of 'June 18 1959,' all written in Van Vechten's hand. Printed on a heavy-weight matte stock. In fine condition with light signs of wear and handling including original uneven cropped edges.