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BLK MKT Vintage

Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories

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Contributors

By Jannah Handy

By Kiyanna Stewart

Foreword by Spike Lee

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On Sale
Oct 15, 2024
Page Count
288 pages
Publisher
Black Dog & Leventhal
ISBN-13
9780762484034

This one-of-a-kind treasure trove of Black cultural ephemera, from the entrepreneurs behind the vintage shop BLK MKT Vintage, expands on their mission to curate vintage objects that tell Black stories and celebrate the contributions Black people have made to our American consciousness.
 
Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart have spent years scouring piles, stacks, bookshelves, and dilapidated boxes in search of themselves and their history, Black history. Through their Brooklyn brick-and-mortar BLK MKT Vintage and online shop, they have uncovered tens of thousands of items including vintage literature, vinyl records, clothing, art, decor, furniture and more.
 
BLK MKT Vintage: Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories invites readers into Handy and Stewart’s work and partnership as they pick, collect, curate, design, and reimagine futures for the objects of the past. Brimming with more than 300 photographs of vintage pieces of ephemera, the book is a beautiful, ephemeral object itself calling to mind a scrapbook or family album that has a surprise on every page whether that’s 1972 celluloid pins from Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign, early 1800’s hand-drawn maps of the African continent, or 1920’s bound yearbooks from various HBCUs. The book also explores the various concepts that ground Handy and Stewart’s work; interviews with Black archivists, artists, memory workers and collectors – including a foreword from Spike Lee; a look into their private collection of thousands of items they have discovered over the years; an explanation of the different players in the antiques and vintage world; and tips and tricks on how to begin your own collection and curate physical spaces that reflect your identity and experience. 

Genre:

  • “BLK MKT Vintage invites us on a profound journey of rediscovery and reclamation, highlighting iconic pieces from our past and sharing nuanced perspectives on what it means to be a collector and a curator . . . It’s a future piece of history itself, showcasing the enduring mystique and creativity embedded in the artifacts of Black culture and the people who shape it. It’s a must-have.”
    Justina Blakeney, artist, author, designer, and founder of Jungalow
  • “Kiyanna and Jannah’s generous offering celebrates the collectors, the archivists, the preservers, and the memory workers . . . This book not only celebrates items from our past but reminds us to hold tight to the items we cherish now—because one day, they, too, will become collector’s items for a future generation.”
    Lena Waithe, actress, writer, and producer
  • “BLK MKT Vintage is doing the painstaking heart work of documenting the cultural legacy of Blackness in America. Reclaiming objects . . . is an antidote to anti-Blackness and an elixir for weary Black souls in need of an infusion of the possibilities for the future that can be weaved from the past.”
    Tarana J. Burke, author and founder of the Me Too movement
  • "This book is a celebration of African American culture, showcasing the strength that emanates from our connection throughout the diaspora…To safeguard this legacy is to empower future generations with the knowledge of this rich heritage, fostering a profound sense of identity and pride."
    Kwame S. Brathwaite, Director of The Kwame Brathwaite Archive
  • “[Handy and Stewart]’s book is not only a tribute to Black culture but a celebration of their 10-year-old company, their personal histories, and their relationship….This one-of-a-kind monograph will inspire readers to cherish and curate their own collections.”
    Library Journal
  • "A vibrant coffee-table book...[The authors] argue that vintage items showing the diversity and dignity of Black history are needed to counteract the racist representations that adorn so much white ephemera, and the plentiful photos of the authors’ private collection fulfill that purpose splendidly…. It’s a joy to behold.”
    Publishers Weekly
  • “Black collectibles can empower and uplift — or they can remind us of the violent dehumanization of racism. In this richly illustrated and thoughtful volume, collectors Handy and Stewart reckon with the art and its impact.”
    The Boston Globe
  • "This visually stunning work is more than a collection—it’s a testament to the stories embedded in everyday objects that have long shaped Black experiences."
    Essence
  • "A book about stuff is sometimes just as good as the stuff itself. This coffee table book takes you inside the curated finds from BLK MKT Vintage, a Brooklyn-based antique store that specializes in Black history and experience."
    The Washington Post

Formats and Prices

Price

$40.00

Price

$50.00 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. Hardcover $40.00 $50.00 CAD
  2. ebook $18.99 $24.99 CAD

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Jannah Handy

About the Author

Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart are the co-founders of BLK MKT Vintage, an online vintage/antique concept shop that specializes in collectibles and curiosities, representing the richness of black history and lived experience. Their passion for material culture and found objects has led them to interior design projects, personal sourcing, set design, prop rental, museum loans and other curatorial projects in media/entertainment, education, the arts & philanthropy. Jannah has a background in business and education, with a B.A. in Economics from Smith College, and a M.Ed. in Higher Education from UMASS, Amherst. Kiyanna has a background in fashion & education, with a B.A. in Journalism & Africana Studies and a M.A. in Women's Studies, all from Rutgers University. 

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Kiyanna Stewart

About the Author

Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart are the co-founders of BLK MKT Vintage, a Brooklyn-based vintage/antique concept shop that specializes in collectibles and curiosities, representing the richness of black history and lived experience. Their passion for material culture and found objects has led them to interior design projects, personal sourcing, set design, prop rental, museum loans and other curatorial projects in media/entertainment, education, the arts & philanthropy. Jannah has a background in business and education, with a B.A. in Economics from Smith College, and a M.Ed. in Higher Education from UMASS, Amherst. Kiyanna has a background in fashion & education, with a B.A. in Journalism & Africana Studies and a M.A. in Women’s Studies, all from Rutgers University. The two have over 15 years in collecting and sourcing experience combined, managing a flagship retail location in their hometown Brooklyn, New York and an e-commerce shop.

Learn more about this author