Invisible Man by ELLISON, Ralph - 1980

Franklin Center, Pennsylvania: The Franklin Library, 1980. Hardcover. Fine. First edition by this publisher with a special message by the author. Full leather gilt. Fine. One of an unspecified number of copies Signed by the author. This copy from the estate of Judge Bruce McMarion Wright, a distinguished African-American jurist, who after an early career as a poet and a friend of Langston Hughes, entered the practice of law and later served on the New York Supreme Court. He provoked controversy by granting low bail to suspected petty criminals, thus earning the ire of the New York Police Department and inspiring his nickname "Turn 'Em Loose Bruce." Apparently the nickname didn't bother him much, as this copy bears a gift inscription: "To the Honorable Bruce McM. Wright - 'Turn 'em loose' Bruce - who tied us up! Affectionately, Frederic and Lenore T. Fener[?]." We have been unable to identify more information about the presenters.