Three E.M. Washington The Cotton Club woodcut prints. Prints are in excellent condition with only a minor tear. Prints depicts elaborate musical scenes. Signed in pencil in left hand corner, "E.M. Washington 1929 - 1930." Measurements are 18 x 12" each.

There are many interpretations regarding the origins of these woodcuts. Primarily these arise from the fact that there is no documentation regarding the activities of E.M. Washington.

Please note: These woodcuts were recently conceded to be not created by E.M. Washington in the late 1800s, but rather by his grandson, c. late 1990s. Although they are still striking woodcuts dedicated to African American themes, they should be understood to be contemporary, rather than antique pieces.

A Cinema Apart, or the Beverly and Larry Richards Collection, was amassed by Larry Richards over a number of many years. A respected historian and a librarian at the Philadelphia Free Library, and author of the book African American Films Through 1959: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Filmography, Mr. Richards was deeply passionate and knowledgeable about African-American culture and history. In 2008, Mr. Richards tragically and suddenly died quite young, leaving behind his collection of hundreds of motion picture posters featuring African-American stars and addressing African-American issues, as well as rare broadsides, window cards, and ephemera. Additionally, he possessed items relating to African-American and slavery history. His collection has been deemed so culturally important that a section of it is now in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. His wife, Dr. Beverly Richards, now oversees the collection, and has lectured on and exhibited the items both nationally and internationally.