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Depression Era Black Leader Father Divine - Two I

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:95.00 USD Estimated At:125.00 - 200.00 USD
Depression Era Black Leader Father Divine - Two I
<B>Depression Era Black Leader Father Divine - Two Items</B></I> An African-American religious leader and founder of the Universal Peace Mission Movement between World War I and World War II. Born George Baker in Savannah, Georgia in 1882, he preached in the South before moving to Harlem in 1915, where he became one of the largest landlords in the neighborhood. He was a controversial, self-proclaimed "Black Messiah," often riding in a Rolls Royce and spending millions of dollars. His followers considered him to be the fulfillment of all biblical prophecies of the Messiah, his numerous detractors called him a madman and most social scientists considered him to be a cult leader. His group grew into the largest religious movement in the north during the depression. Father Divine was very active in early civil rights causes and is now looked upon with a bit more appreciation by many people. His health and influence declined during the 1940s. This lot contains two scarce original items. First is a book, <I>God in a Rolls Royce: the Rise of Father Divine, Madman, Menace Or Messiah?</B></I> by John Hosher, which takes a detailed look at this controversial black leader. Published in New York by Hillman-Curl in 1936; 272 pages; first edition; illustrated with photographs; cloth binding with the seldom-seen dust jacket (minor wear at top); tight binding; unobtrusive library stamps on back inside endpaper. The second item is a real photo postcard from the World War II era picturing Father and Mother Divine calling for "International Peace -- In the Air, On Land, On the Sea." Very fine condition. Two great items. Lot:250