Raynors HCA 2018-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2018
Single page of draft notes, recto and verso, written in preparation for his speech titled "No Money," c. 1976, 5" x 7", boldly scripted in graphite entirely in the hand of Eldridge Cleaver. Near fine with a small newspaper clip showing a title of "Eldridge Cleaver urges reform of banks, democratic system" and accompanied by a near fine unused, but addressed envelope, with the printed return address of "Cleaver for Congress …", and embellished with a US flag, 9.5" x 4". Additionally accompanied by a small color photo showing Cleaver in a casual setting sitting on a couch. A scarce page of notes scripted entirely in the hand of Eldridge Cleaver. Composed circa 1970s, with anti-communistic sentiments, this draft was mostly composed around the time Cleaver was returning from 7 years of self imposed exile as a fugitive as a result of jumping bail in 1968 when he was facing charges of attempted murder. These phenomenal handwritten notes were composed in preparation for his speech which he called "No Money", which questioned the fairness of our own government , our economic system, and placed a microscope on how our country takes care of everyone selectively, with racial bias. His fluid movement from embracing communism to his disenfranchisement is highlighted by his comment: "I visited these communist and revolutionary countries to study their development plans (and) to examine how the people felt about the government and how the government treated the people … There were always two sides - the government's and the peoples. There was a rosy picture (from) the government and a picture of misery and dejection from the point of view of the people" His incredibly scripted notes are shown in full below: "No Money They always tell us there's no money for us! Yet they're able to come up with money overnight, millions, for refugees, for covert CIA operations, for overt military action, for flood relief, to pay off Poland debts - but nothing for blacks. We must turn this situation around. We must use our political power to crack this economic nut. There's no reason why - except the list below - Kwame (illegible) said "Seek ye first The Political Kingdom …" This new class is so Petty, brutal, and oppressive that the people all over the world are rising up against Communism."
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