NY, Harper & Brothers, (1958). The autobiography of the first African-American to compete in the U.S. Nationals (the precursor to the U.S. Open), in 1950. In 1956, Gibson became the first African-American to win the French Open, while also winning, with Angela Buxton, the doubles titles at both the French Open and Wimbledon. In 1957, she won the Wimbledon singles and doubles titles, as well as the U.S. Nationals singles and mixed doubles titles; in 1958, she again won the U.S. Nationals singles title and the Wimbledon singles and doubles titles. She retired to turn professional because (according to the autobiography), "my finances were in heartbreaking shape...you can't eat a crown." When professional tennis didn't pay the bills, Gibson became, in 1964, the first African-American woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf tour. This copy is inscribed by Gibson in the year of publication to her 1956 doubles partner, Angela Buxton: "To Angela/ a great gal and sincere friend. Althea." Buxton, a British Jew, had her own obstacles to overcome getting onto the professional tennis court, and she retired after her 1956 championship wins with Gibson due to a wrist injury. Their victory at Wimbledon, after coming together as partners when no one else would play with either of them, was heralded in one British newspaper, in very small type, under the headline, "Minorities Win." The friendship between Gibson and Buxton would last a lifetime. In 1995, when Gibson was ill and destitute, she confided to Buxton that she was contemplating suicide. Buxton led a fund-raising campaign on Gibson's behalf that allowed Gibson to live out her remaining eight years. A very good copy in a very good, price-clipped dust jacket. The title comes from Gibson's quote: "I always wanted to be somebody. If I made it, it's half because I was game enough to take a lot of punishment along the way and half because there were a lot of people who cared enough to help me." An excellent association copy of one of the towering figures in the history of African-American sports -- inscribed to one of those people who cared enough, and helped. [#032677] SOLD