Signature / Unsigned First Day Cover by WASHINGTON, Booker T. (1856-1915)

This noted educator, author and civil rights leader was born into slavery in Virginia and is best known for founding Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881 and transforming it into the foremost college for blacks in this country; among his books, the bestselling 1901 memoir "Up from Slavery" is considered an important memoir by the most influential educator of his day. Clipped signature, bold and full in brown ink, on an irregular-shaped 5½" X 2" slip, n.p., n.y. Very good. "Yours truly," typed in blue ink appears at upper left, with his large signature below and a typed "Principal" near lower right. Accompanied by a 6½" X 3½" First Day cover featuring the 10¢ "Booker T. Washington" stamp at upper right, with "First Day of Issue" stamped and cancelled in Tuskegee Institute, Alabama on 7 April 1940. Very good. Lightly age toned. No recipient address and no pictorial cachet. Washington was the first African-American pictured on a U.S.postage stamp.