Campbell E Sims Nightclub Map of Harlem could make $60,000

The original artwork Campbell E Sims A Nightclub Map of Harlem is among the star lots of a sale of African American printed manuscripts at Swann Auction Galleries. 

The unique lot is expected to make around $40,000-60,000 in the March 31 sale in New York. 

Map Harlem Sims
Sims' map of Harlem celebrates the districts legendary bars

Swann comments: "Crossing color lines, Campbell became the first African-American illustrator to be syndicated and whose work was featured regularly in national periodicals. 

"The 'Night-Club Map' is both a guide and a who's who of the old Prohibition speakeasies and night-clubs that dotted the Harlem landscape in the 1920's and 1930's, many of them surviving well after Prohibition was repealed."

The map shows some of Harlem's most legendary haunts and dives, including the Cotton Club, Small's Paradise and Gladys' Clam Bar. 

Also included are some of the area's best known characters, with "the Crab Man" and "Snake Hips" Earl Tucker getting their due. 

The work originally appeared as a centrefold in Manhattan Magazine. 

A copy of this centrefold made $16,800 at Swann in 2011. It's a very popular work and the original is likely to draw strong bidding from buyers. 

The rest of the sale will feature pieces illustrating the US' black history from the slavery days up until to the modern era. 

You can check out all our books and manuscripts for sale here. 

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about book and manuscript auctions.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock