Championship Words. A Practice Speller and Instruction Book For Contestants in the A.G. Gaston State-Wide Spelling Bee

Birmingham, Alabama: Printing Department, Booker T. Washington Business College, 1965. Revised Edition. Octavo, 9.5 x 6.25", green stapled, illustrated wrappers, 50 pp. A rare guide book for participants in a spelling bee for African American students in Alabama. The bee was founded in 1954 by A.G. Gaston, a wealthy African American businessman and civil rights leader in Birmingham, out of "concern about the spelling fundamentals and reading habits of our youth" (U.S. Congress Hearings, 1965). According to text on the front wrapper verso, this manual went through six editions between 1954 and 1965, and was published by the Booker T. Washington Business College, a school founded by Gaston. The bee filled a void for Black students, who were at the time unable to participate in regional and national bees. The booklet begins with a series of illustrations of bee winners between 1954 and 1964, and a photo of the trophy. This is followed by several pages outlining the rules and regulations of the bee. The rest of the booklet consists of practice spelling words, from easier first round words to difficult championship round words. No editions found in OCLC. A very good copy with some annotations to text by a student, mild soiling to covers, crossed out name inked to upper margin of front wrapper. Item #12786

Price: $850.00