Rhapsody in Black, Biography of Black Preacher and Former Slave John Jasper, 1953 First Edition

John Jasper

First Edition

[African American][Religion] Day, Richard Ellsworth. Rhapsody in Black: The Life Story of John Jasper. Philadelphia: The Judson Press, 1953. First edition. Original yellow and black pictorial dust jacket. Owner's inscription on front endpaper. John Jasper (1812–1901), once enslaved in Virginia, rose to prominence as one of the most renowned African American preachers of the nineteenth century. Without access to formal education, Jasper became known for his extraordinary oratorical gifts, drawing immense multiracial crowds in Richmond and beyond. His most famous sermon, “De Sun Do Move,” exemplified his fusion of biblical authority, rhetorical brilliance, and deep spiritual conviction, sparking both devotion and controversy. Richard Ellsworth Day, a prolific Baptist biographer, frames Jasper’s life in devotional tones, casting him as a model of faith and perseverance while preserving anecdotes of his preaching style and influence. The biography provides rare insight into Black religious life in the post-Emancipation South, offering details on Jasper’s ministry, the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church he founded, and his impact on both Black and white communities during Reconstruction and after. Jacket chipped at crown and foot of spine panel, with small losses at corners and edges. 1" loss to jacket at bottom of spine. Binding tight and square. Overall very good condition in fair only dustjacket. A scarce mid-century biography of one of the most significant African American religious leaders of the 19th century, notable for its inclusion of photographs and quotations from Jasper’s sermons. Copies in dust jacket are especially uncommon.

Item #22574

Price: $225.00