Silent Gesture. Inscribed by Tommie Smith. First Edition, First Printing. Temple University Press. Philadelphia, 2007.

Tommie Smith is an Olympic gold medalist in track and field. He was also an NFL wide receiver. In the 1960s, he rose to athletic prominence, setting several world records and competing at the highest level. Yet his athletic achievements are often secondary to his activism. In 1968, at the Olympic podium to receive his gold medal, Smith and fellow Olympian John Carlos gave the Black Power salute in solidarity with the Civil Rights Movement. The protest was rather benign, but white racists in the U.S. were outraged. The International Olympic Committee president, Avery Brundage–an American–had them banned from the games. The response caused a major stir, bringing the protest to the forefront of sports discourse. It has since been enshrined as one of the most consequential athletic protests in American history. In this volume, Smith provides his memoir recounting those events. It is an important work from his perspective, revealing the full experience of the Olympic games and his and John Carlos’ important protest.

This first edition, first printing is inscribed by Tommie Smith on the title page. It is in fine condition. In the original quarter cloth, fine. Text block fine. In the original dust jacket, fine.

A fine inscribed first edition by Tommie Smith.