Auction Information
Firsts, Signed+ Selected Books from Melba Tolliver
Thu Aug 06 - 06:00PM
13835 Enterprise Ave., Cleveland, OH
Mixed Bag Estate & Auction Services
Firsts, Signed & Selected Books from the "Accidental Anchorwoman" & television superstar reporter, Melba Tolliver!
Mixed Bag Estate & Auction Services is honored to present a portion of the private library of Melba Tolliver, the trailblazing journalist who made history in 1967 as the first Black American to anchor a network television news broadcast.
Known as the "Accidental Anchorwoman," Tolliver went on to a celebrated career as a reporter and anchor for WABC-TV Eyewitness News, WNBC, and News 12 Long Island. She earned a reputation as one of the most trusted voices on New York television.
This collection offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of that legacy. Spanning the 1960s to the present, it features first editions and first printings by literary giants including Toni Morrison, Ishmael Reed, Chester Himes, George Davis, and Wesley Brown. Together, these books provide an intimate look into the literary and cultural world that helped shape Tolliver's groundbreaking career.
Rounding out the sale is a companion collection assembled over decades by a lifelong book collector, adding even more rare and out-of-print titles for bidders to discover. Throughout the catalog, many books are signed, inscribed, first editions, or a combination of all three.
Whether you are a serious collector, a lover of Black literary history, or simply searching for a first edition to treasure, this auction offers something remarkable.
Bidding closes Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM Eastern.
Shipping is available through Shipping Saint for bidders unable to attend pickup in person.
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