Black History Month, James Weldon Johnson

	TITLE:[Portrait of James Weldon Johnson], CALL NUMBER: LOT 12735, no. 590 (P&P), REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-42498 (b&w film copy neg.), MEDIUM: 1 photographic print : gelatin silver. CREATED, PUBLISHED: 1932 Dec. 3.

James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938) was a leading American author, poet, early civil rights activist, and prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Johnson is best remembered for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and collections of folklore. He was also one of the first African-American professors at New York University.

Johnson composed the lyrics of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,", (MP3) for which his brother J. Rosamond Johnson composed the music, during the years at Stanton. This song, originally composed in 1900 to celebrate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, is commonly known as the "Negro (or Black) National Anthem." James Weldon Johnson, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CREATOR: Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964, photographer. NOTES: Title derived from information on verso of photographic print. Van Vechten number: XVI B 5. Also available on microfilm. Gift; Carl Van Vechten Estate; 1966.

Forms part of: Portrait photographs of celebrities, a LOT which in turn forms part of the Carl Van Vechten photograph collection (Library of Congress).

SUBJECTS: Johnson, James Weldon, 1871-1938. FORMAT: Portrait photographs. PART OF: Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964. Portrait photographs of celebrities. REPOSITORY: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.

DIGITAL ID: (intermediary roll film) van 5a52189, hdl.loc.gov/van.5a52189 , (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3a42816 hdl.loc.gov/cph.3a42816 , CARD #: 2004663098

Rights and Restrictions Information, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 20540-4730

Publication and other forms of distribution: Per the instrument of gift, "for a period of 20 years from the date of this Instrument [1966], none of the photographs contained in said collection may be sold, reproduced, published or given away in any form whatsoever except with my [Saul Mauriber, Photographic Executor for Van Vechten] express permission in writing."

This restriction expired in 1986. In 1998 the Library’s Publishing Office was contacted by Bruce Kellner, who disputes Mr. Mauriber’s authority in executing the Instrument of Gift. Upon review of the relevant materials, the Library continues to believe that the photographs are in the public domain.

However, patrons are advised that Mr. Kellner has expressed his concern that use of Van Vechten’s photographs "preserve the integrity" of his work, i.e, that photographs not be colorized or cropped, and that proper credit is given to the photographer. Prepared by: Prints and Photographs Division staff.

Credit Line: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number, LC-USZ62-42498].