L. S. Alexander Gumby facts for kids

Levi Sandy Alexander Gumby (born February 1, 1885 – died March 16, 1961) was an African-American historian and collector. He gathered thousands of items about African-American history. His amazing collection of 300 scrapbooks is now at Columbia University. It is called the Alexander Gumby Collection of Negroiana.

Gumby also owned a popular bookstore during the Harlem Renaissance. This was a time when Black art and culture thrived. His bookstore was a special meeting place for artists and thinkers. Because he loved collecting so much, people called him "The Count" and "Mr. Scrapbook".

Alexander Gumby's Early Life

Levi Sandy Alexander Gumby was born in Maryland. His father, Levi Thomas Gumby, was an evangelist. In 1901, Gumby and his sister went to live with their grandparents. His grandmother wanted him to study law. So, he went to Dover State College in Delaware.

But Gumby felt law was not for him. He then moved to New York City. New York became his home for the rest of his life. He loved the city, saying it gave him "more freedom of action". Six of his scrapbooks tell his own life story.

Starting His Collection

When Gumby first came to New York, he took many small jobs. He worked as a butler, a bellhop, and a postal worker. These jobs helped him support his passion for collecting. He also started the Southern Utopia Fraternity. This group helped young men from the Southern United States find work in New York.

Gumby started his first scrapbook in 1901. He was only 16 years old. It was about the assassination of President McKinley. By 1910, he was organizing his clippings carefully. He even visited other collections in libraries. He also met another important Black historian, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg.

Gumby's Book Studio

In the 1920s, Gumby got help from Charles W. Newman. Newman was a wealthy stockbroker. With Newman's support, Gumby moved his collection. He set it up in a large studio in Harlem, New York. This place became famous as "Gumby's Bookstore".

A Hub for the Harlem Renaissance

Gumby's book studio was more than just a store. It was a workspace for his collection. It was also a place to show his items. Most importantly, it was a lively meeting spot. Artists and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance gathered there. Gumby was known for leading these discussions. Some even called him "The Great God Gumby".

He also tried to publish a magazine. It was called the Gumby Book Studio Quarterly. However, only one issue was ever made. It was never even shared with the public.

Many famous people visited Gumby's studio. These included writers like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. Artists like Aaron Douglas also came. Gumby was very good at keeping records. He saved letters and documents from these important figures. For example, he kept letters about a speech by Frederick Douglass.

Challenges and Recovery

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 caused big problems. Charles W. Newman, Gumby's helper, lost a lot of money. Gumby's studio lost its visitors and support. He had to close his studio and sell many valuable books. He stored his precious scrapbooks in a friend's cellar.

The stress made Gumby very sick. He spent four years in hospitals. These hospitals were on North Brother Island and Randall's Island. After leaving the hospital, Gumby got his collection back. He worked hard to restore it.

Alexander Gumby's Collection

Gumby's collection grew very large. By 1925, it filled his small apartment. He had to rent a whole floor just for his items. At first, it was easy to find "Negro" items. Book dealers did not think they were very important.

The scrapbooks hold many treasures. They have signed photos and letters. These are from famous performers like Paul Robeson and Josephine Baker. There are also letters from Black historical figures. These include Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington.

Gumby kept collecting even when he was in the hospital. He added articles about his stay. He also saved get-well cards from friends. In 1950, Gumby gave his huge collection to Columbia University. The university then hired him to help organize it. He worked there for eight months. Gumby kept adding to his scrapbooks until he died in 1961. His 300 scrapbooks are now a key part of Columbia's library.

Gumby believed his collection was "The Unwritten History". He said it showed many surprising events about Black Americans. These events were often not in history books. His scrapbooks include newspaper stories, magazine articles, and photos. They also have letters, theater programs, and documents about slavery. The scrapbooks have now been put onto microfilm. This makes them easier to study.

See also

• Harlem Renaissance