I Always Wanted To Be Somebody (Inscribed First Edition)

Gibson, Althea

Published by Harper and Brothers (Harpers), 1958

Inscribed (to a tennis associate) First Edition of this mid-career memoir by pioneering Black tennis and golf star, Althea Gibson. Known as "The Jackie Robinson of tennis," Gibson was the first Black player to win tennis Grand Slam titles including singles championships at Wimbledon. the 1950s version of the U.S. championship, her groundbreaking 1956 win at the French Championship . This copy is inscribed by Althea Gibson on the front endpaper to Bill (Billy) Davis, a younger Black tennis professional. Davis receives two mentions in the final chapter, described as a protege of Sydney Llewellyn, who was Gibson's coach and eventual husband. After the book's publication, Gibson association with Davis expanded as Davis would serve as road manager on an exhibition tour she did with the Harlem Globetrotters. The inscription reads: "To Bill Davis, My tennis sparring partner, your enjoyable reading, The Champ, 'Al.'" 176 pages, illustrated. Has an L-H (November 1958) date code on the copyright page and the original $3.50 price is intact on front flap of the dust jacket. The book has edge wear and margin markings on two pages beside references to Davis. The dust jacket has a 1" by 4" chip at the top half of the spine and edge wear including a chip at the top edge of the back cover. Seller Inventory # 014837

Bibliographic Details

Title: I Always Wanted To Be Somebody (Inscribed ...
Publisher: Harper and Brothers (Harpers)
Publication Date: 1958
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: Fair
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: 1st Edition