Dr. Joseph Charles Price, 1854-1893. First President of Livingstone College, Salisbury, N.C.

Illustrated poster, lithographically printed in monochrome on thick beige stock. Dimension: Approx. 28 x 17 in. [1381]

Very good with spare handling marks and a few closed tears (less than 1 in.) at lower margin. Overall, a strikingly well-preserved example of this rare poster commemorating the achievements of Joseph Charles Price. According to Blackpast.org, "Price, founder and first president of Livingston College, in North Carolina, was born free on February 10, 1854 in Elizabeth City, Price studied at St. Cyprian Episcopal School founded for the children of ex-slaves by Boston educators. He later attended Shaw University in Raleigh in 1873 but transferred to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in 1875. Price graduated as valedictorian in 1879 after winning several oratorical prizes. Impressed with the young Price, Bishop James Walker Hood of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church appointed him to its delegation to the World Ecumenical Conference meeting in London, where he amazed audiences with his powerful speaking. Called "The World's Orator" by the British press, Price was encouraged by the delegation to stay in England and raise funds for the reestablishment of Zion Wesley Institute, later to be Livingston College. The original school was founded in 1870 as a seminary for training A.M.E. Zion ministers, but closed after only three years in operations. Over the next year, Price was able to raise $10,000 for the school, and returned to North Carolina in 1882. The town of Salisbury offered the school $1,000 and 40 acres called "Delta Grove" belonging to J.M. Gray. The school opened later that year with 28-year-old Joseph Price as its president."