Black Americana
Black Americana
Flashpoint for the school integration issue...
Item #692713
August 19, 1958
THE DETROIT NEWS, Aug. 19, 1958
* Little Rock, Arkansas
* Negro students
* Central High School
The top of the front page has a six column headline: Little Rock to Fight Integration Ruling" with subheads. This concerning the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, a flashpoint for the who desegregation issue of the 1950's and 1960's.
Complete with 44 pages, sma... See More
St. Valentine's Day...
Item #172756
February 20, 1864
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 20, 1864 The full front page is a nice print captioned: "General Grant Crossing the Cumberland Mountains, January 7, 1864". Other prints inside include: "Military Ball of the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac" "The Negro Sentinel Shooting the Guerrilla Burroughs" "Railroad Accident In Kentucky" "Scenes In & A... See More
Inkster, Michigan Ford Motor employees recovery...
Item #685747
December 17, 1931
THE NEW YORK TIMES, December 17, 1931
* Inkster, Wayne County, Michigan
* Henry Ford Motor Company employees
* African American Detroit suburb experiment
* The Great Depression era
The top of the front page is a two column heading: "Ford Acts to Aid Debt-Ridden Workers; Begins Rehabilitation of a Whole Village" (see) First report coverage on Henry Ford trying an experiment in In... See More
Jackie Robinson ends his playing career...
Item #721144
January 06, 1957
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Jan. 6, 1957
* Jackie Robinson announcement - Brooklyn Dodgers
* 1st Negro MLB baseball player (retirement)
The top of page 13-C has a four column heading: "The Well-Kept Secret Is Out; Jackie Quitting" with photo. (see images)
Complete with all 50+ pages, Small binding holes along the spine slightly affects the Robinson report, generally in nice con... See More
George Washington Carver opens Tuskegee Conference...
Item #721167
February 18, 1903
THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Feb. 18, 1903
* Dr. George Washington Carver in Alabama
* Black-American scientist & educator
* Born into slavery - Tuskegee Negro conference
The front page has a one column heading: "TUSKEGEE NEGRO CONFERENCE OPEN" with subhead. (see images) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very... See More
1945 concentration camp for children liberated...
Item #696900
April 24, 1945
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, April 24, 1945
* Concentration camp for children found
* Jewish holocaust realization
The front page has a two column heading: "Camp of 'Slave Children' Freed by Russian Troops" First report coverage of a concentration camp for children that was found by Russian troops in Poland. What better evidence to confirm of what really happened then havi... See More
1st Negro pitcher makes MLB debut...
Item #719652
August 27, 1947
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Aug. 27, 1947
* Dan Bankhead makes MLB debut
* 1st African American pitcher
* Brooklyn Dodgers baseball
The top of page 18 has a two column heading: "Bankhead Slapped Hard As Bums Are Swamped" with subhead and box scores. (see images)
Complete with 26 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, nice condition.
AI notes: On May 18, 19... See More
The Union League Building, Philadelphia, PA...
Item #666770
August 19, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Aug. 19, 1865 The ftpg. has a financial scene on Bleecker St. in New York City. Other prints inside include the; "Union League Building, Broad St., Phila." "The Hospital Buildings & Ferry, Ward's Island, East River"; a fullpg. of the scene where the "...Powder Mine, under the Rebel Entrenchments Before Petersburg, Was... See More
Jesse Owens wins Olympic tryouts...
Item #651457
July 10, 1936
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 10, 1936
* Jesse Owens broad jump w/ photo
* Pre-Olympic games in Berlin Germany
* To be in front of Adolph Hitler & Third Reich
The sport's section (page 23) has a two column heading: "Owens Rated in Class by Himself For Olympic Broad-Jump Laurels" with subhead and photo. (see) The Olympics would begin just a few weeks later.
A sidebar to ... See More
Lincoln's Proclamation calling for more soldiers...
Item #666541
July 27, 1864
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1864
* Abraham Lincoln call for troops
* Pro Confederate publication
Among the articles on the ftpg. are: "President Lincoln Figuring on the Peace Question!--The Negro Only in the Way!" "Correspondence the Peace Proposition" includes letters signed by Horace Greeley and one by Abraham Lincoln.
Articles within: "An Infamous... See More
Green Bay Packers wins NFL championship...
Item #691880
December 14, 1936
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, December 14, 1936
* Green Bay Packers victorious
* Boston Redskins (Washington)
* NFL football championship
* Jesse Owens wins best athlete award
Page 3 of section II has a two column heading: "Green Bay's Passing Attack Nets Victory In "Pro" Title Game" with stats and lineups. (see)
The top of the same page has another two column heading:... See More
18th century Baltimore... slavery ads...
Item #689239
May 04, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, May 4, 1796
* Rare 18th century American title
* (2) slaves related advertisements
* Land for sale along the Potomac River
The full ftpg. is taken up with advertisements including 14 illustrated ship ads. The back page has 2 runaway slave ads. Also a land for sale for the Washington D.C. area. (see)
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
Marvin Griffin and the 1956 Sugar Bowl controversy...
Item #659527
December 03, 1955
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Dec. 3, 1955
* Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin
* Southern Armageddon at Sugar Bowl ?
* Bobby Grier - 1st African American ?
The sport's section (page 33) has a two column heading: "Governor's Bowl Stand Is Opposed by Regents" with subhead and related pictorial. (see)
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, gen... See More
1964 St. Augustine movement... Civil Rights march...
Item #709606
June 13, 1964
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass. June 13, 1964
* St. Augustine movement - Florida
* "We Shall Overcome" (song) march
* Martin Luther King Jr. in jail
* Civil Rights Act of 1964 prelude
The front page has a one column heading: "Negroes March In St. Augustine As Police Watch" with subhead. (see images) The historic Monson Motor Lodge "pool-in" was just 2 days earl... See More
Rosa Jordan shot deasd... Montgomery bus boycott...
Item #693048
December 21, 1956
THE DETROIT NEWS, December 29, 1956
* Black pregnant woman Rosa Jordan shot dead
* Martin Luther King Jr. becoming known
* Montgomery, Alabama bus segregation ending
A landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation throughout the country, doing much to create defiant reactions throughout the South. The new law went into effect on Dec. 21st.
The front p... See More
John Menard, African-American congressman from Louisiana...
Item #698899
January 23, 1869
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 23, 1869 The full front page is a print of: "The Harp Girl." Inside is a one-third page print of: "Hon. William Claflin, Governor of Massachusetts" plus a half page print: "The Fur Trapper"; a quarter page print of: "Hon. John W. Menard, Colored Congressman from Louisiana" with a small accompanying article.
... See More
1965 Martin Luther King Jr...
Item #689270
October 06, 1965
DETROIT FREE PRESS, Oct. 6, 1965
* Martin Luther King Jr. civil rights rally
* Crawfordville , Taliaferro co., Georgia
* re. desegregation in Southern schools
The top of page 10 column heading: "King Enters Georgia School Row" with lead-in: "Threatens March On Capital" and photo. (see)
Complete with 30+ pages, tiny binding holes along the spine, generally very nice.... See More
1963 Sidney Poitier movie opening ad...
Item #704050
October 03, 1963
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Oct. 3, 1963
* Lilies of the Field opening day premiere
* Actor Sidney Poitier - comedy-drama
* First African American to win best actor
Page 12 has a 4 1/2 x 4 inch advertisement for the World premiere of "Lilies of the Field" This movie was first shown in New York City on the day this issue was published. The film was ma... See More
1930 Darien, Georgia Negro lynchings...
Item #675023
September 09, 1930
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, September 9, 1930
* George Grant & Willie Bryan Negro lynchings
* Darien, McIntosh County, Georgia martial law
The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "NEGRO LYNCHED AS SLAYER; CALL GEORGIA TROOPS" with subhead. (see) First report coverage on the lynching of Negroes George Grant & Willie Bryan at Darien, Georgia. Always nice to have ... See More
Sohn Kee-chung (Son Kitei) wins 1936 gold medal...
Item #720219
August 10, 1936
LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., Aug. 10, 1936
* Sohn Kee-chung - Son Kitei
* Wins gold medal in marathon
* 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics
* Jesse Owens vs. Nazi Germnay fame
The top of page 5 has a two column heading: "Kitei Son Wins Marathon Giving Japan Most Prized Crown of 1936 Olympics" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with all 8 pages, light toning and very minor... See More
Alamo, Tennessee Negro lynching...
Item #686373
May 30, 1929
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 30, 1929
* Joe Boxley Negro lynching in Alamo, Tennessee
Page 21 has one column headings: "NEGRO, 19, LYNCHED BY TENNESSEE MOB" "Youth Accused of Attacking Woman Is Taken From Jail at Alamo and Hanged" "SHERIFF'S HOME STORMED" First report coverage on the lynching of Negro Joe Boxley in Alamo, Tennessee. Always nice to have nota... See More
Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake Lamotta...
Item #621748
February 06, 1943
THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, New Orleans, February 6, 1943
* Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake Lamotta
* 2nd fight - Robinson's 1st ever loss
* Boxing - Boxers
This 22 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 9: "ROBINSON WIN STRING BROKEN" and "La Motta Floors Negro as He Takes Decision". This was the famous second fight in which LaMotta beat Robinson.
Other news, sports... See More
Death of Cab Calloway, in a Los A ngeles newspaper...
Item #644760
November 20, 1994
LOS ANGELES TIMES, November 20, 1994
* Cab Calloway death (1st report)
* African American jazz - scat singer
* Cotton Club, Harlem, New York City
Neat the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Cab Calloway, Legendary Hi De Ho Man of Jazz, Dies" with photo. (See) Nice to have this report in a newspaper from the capital of the entertainment industry.
The complete firs... See More
John James Audubon... The Comanche Indians... The California Gold Rush...
Item #686985
May 02, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington D.C., May 2, 1849
* John James Audubon
* American ornithologist
Page 3 has a report beginning: "Col. Webb, commander of a large California expedition...They give quite a gloomy account of their adventures. Mr. Audubon remained behind, and had determined to prosecute his journey towards California with a party..." with more.
Also on ... See More
The fall of Manilia... African-American regiment at the charge of San Juan Hill...
Item #176378
October 15, 1898
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 15, 1898 Full front page illus. of "The Fall of Manila." Inside has two full pages showing: "Scenes Attending the Surrender of Manila." 1/2 pg. of illus. of "Launch of the United States Battle Ship 'Illinois' at Newport News, Virginia, October 4, 1898." Full pg. illus. of "Our Occupation of Puerto Rico."
... See More
Front page Civil War map of Florida...
Item #595931
January 31, 1862
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, January 31, 1862
* Cedar Keys Florida
* Civil War map
The front page has a Civil War map headed: "Cedar Keys and Its Railroad Connection to Fernandina, Florida". Maps of the Civil War showing the greater portion of Florida are very uncommon. There are nice first column heads as well including: "War Against Treason!" "Rebel Steamer ... See More
Early Flight...
Item #177637
November 05, 1910
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 5, 1910 Full front page photo: "Aviation Meet at Belmont Park, Long Island", with a crowd of spectators. Fullpg. inside has nine photos from the Aviation Meet. Other photos and illustrations with text throughout this 32 page issue.
Building the Capitol... Slave ads in 1820....
Item #702100
April 14, 1820
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, April 14, 1820 Page 2 has: "AN ACT making further appropriations for continuing the work upon the centre building of the Capitol, and other public buildings." This and 3 other acts are each signed in type by the President: James Monroe.
The back page has: "100 Dollars Reward...for...my two negro slaves, Lewis and George..." w
... See More
The back page has: "100 Dollars Reward...for...my two negro slaves, Lewis and George..." w
A "Copperhead" newspaper: a wealth of war-related content...
Item #699991
March 20, 1865
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, March 20, 1865
* Final weeks of the Civil War
* Robert E. Lee and more
* Copperhead Democrats publication
Described as "The Hottest Rebel Sheet to be found in the North or the South", this newspaper opposed the war and attracted the hatred of the Republicans and the Lincoln administration. It insisted that slavery could not be prohibited by law. So obn... See More
A centerfold view of Fredericksburg... Charles Dickens...
Item #172634
December 20, 1862
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 20, 1862 The full front page shows: "Identification of Indian Murderers in Minnesota by a Boy Survivor of the Massacre". Other prints inside include: "Belle Plains, on the Potomac--Burnside's Principal Commissary Depot" showing a long wagon train. Fullpg. has three prints: "Seminary at La Grange, Tennessee, Now Used as a Pr... See More
The Jefferson Davis pirate flag...
Item #691066
May 12, 1861
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, May 12, 1861
* Confederate pirate flag ?
* Issued by Jefferson Davis
The black flag used in May 1861 symbolized no quarter given—a warning that no mercy would be shown to enemies. When Confederate privateers sailed under letters of marque authorized by Jefferson Davis, some reportedly flew black flags to signal their intent to fight ruthlessly... See More
First mention (?) of Jackie Robinson in 1939...
Item #676739
October 29, 1939
CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, section 2 (sports) only, Oct. 29, 1939
* Jackie Robinson 1st mention (?) on the national stage
* UCLA Bruins college football
* 1st Negro in MLB baseball fame
This is a significant issue for any Jackie Robinson collector, as this is the very first mention of him in the prestigious Chicago Daily Tribune. The report is actually of a U.C.L.A. football game as he was a ... See More
Reporting on John Brown's raid...
Item #689619
October 22, 1859
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 22, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Negroes
Page 3 has a column headed: "The Harper's Ferry Fugitives" with related reports headed: "Arrest of Counterfeiters" and: "Gov. Wide at Richmond" as seen in the photos.
Also on page 3 is half a column ... See More
Fascinating slave case...
Item #698335
April 09, 1856
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 9, 1856 Page 5 has: "An Interesting Slave Case" concerning: "...a young colored woman & her children claimed as slaves..." and what follows are the details of a very fascinating case.
Eight pages, very nice condition.
Trouble with the Mormons in Illinois... Slave ships...
Item #685118
April 13, 1844
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, April 13, 1844
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Nauvoo, Illinois
An inside page has a brief item discussed in the federal Congress with a small heading: "Mormons" noting: "Mr. Semple presented a memorial from the mayor & aldermen of Nauvoo, that a separate territorial government may be extended to that city; also from 3,419 citizens ... See More
The slave population in Maryland and Virginia...
Item #692314
January 25, 1851
THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, (Greensboro), North Carolina, Jan. 26, 1851
* Rare pre-Civil War antebellum publication
Rarely are we able to secure antebellum newspapers from this city. Among the page 3 items are reporters noting: "The population of Maryland is 591,000 of which 98,000 are slaves...In Virginia west of the Alleghenies, whites 494,763, slaves 63,234...".
Fou... See More
First African American to serve as governor of the United States Virgin Islands, as a federal judge, and as a federal appellate judge...
Item #673733
July 20, 1950
NEW YORK TIMES, July 20, 1950 Page 50 has a small and somewhat inconspicuous article headed: "NEGRO JUDGE CONFIRMED" "Senate Unanimously Approves Hastie for Appeals Bench". William Henry Hastie was the first African American to serve as governor of the United States Virgin Islands, as a federal judge, and as a federal appellate judge.
I suspect this is one of the few pub... See More
Details on the slave ship Haidee...
Item #683854
October 06, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 1858 The top of page 3 has an article: "Arrest Of The Montauk Point Slavers" which reports on a slave ship, mentioning in part: "...a vessel had been sunk off Montauk Point...had been scuttled...name of the scuttled vessel is Haidee...sailed from New York...to the coast of Africa, where she took in a cargo of 900 slaves. ... See More
Amazing Grace... Abolishing slavery (British) discusion...
Item #648711
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, January, 1807 Within this 90+ page issue is a report headed: "Proceedings In the First Session of the Third Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, 1806", which begins: "Lord Grenville brought in a Bill for abolishing the Slave Trade, which was read the first time." This brief report was the init... See More
Colonel Mosby hangs six prisoners....
Item #177340
December 09, 1911
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 9, 1911 (our last issue)
The front page of this issue is a photo of "The American Who May Cause War."
This issue is has an article with some illustrations of "Sizing Up the Presidential Timber" by McKee Barclay. There is a double page illustration of "Mosby's Death Raffle" by Sidney w. Riesenberg and there is a full pa... See More
Much on John Brown's funeral, etc... The infamous slave ship 'Wanderer'...
Item #691886
December 12, 1859
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 12, 1859
* Post John Brown execution (hanging)
* Much on the funeral services - burial
Almost the entirety of page 6 is taken up with: "The Burial Of John Brown" "The Passage of the Body to North Alba" "The Funeral" "Speeches of Mr. McKim and Mr. Phillips" "John Brown's Last Will" "Charlestown Intelligen... See More
The New York Stock Exchange... Golfing...
Item #177152
April 26, 1902
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 26, 1902 Frontpage illustration "The Right of Way" by Mears; fullpage photos The President at the Charleston Exposition; fullpage photos The Coronation of the King of Spain; fullpage illustration "The New Home of the Stock Exchange" by Meeker; A Girl's Adventures in Cloudland with photos; The Drama of the Circus with photos; Openin... See More
Harding names negro for New Orleans Post; Senate Fight Coming; "Lily Whites" protest....
Item #673005
November 23, 1922
THE NEW YORK TIMES, November 23, 1922 The front page has a two column heading: "Harding Names Negro for New Orleans Post; Senate Fight Coming; "Lily Whites Protest". The coverage tells of President Harding's appointment of Walter L. Cohen, to this prestigious post - the first black man to ever hold this position. Quite historic.
Complete in 44 pages. As per the era,... See More
Very famous anti-slavery newspaper... On the Fugitive Slave Law...
Item #695938
May 29, 1851
THE NATIONAL ERA, Washington, D.C., May 29, 1851 An anti-slavery newspaper which is best known for its link to the best selling novel of the 19th century, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This historic work first appeared as a 41-week serial in The National Era, starting on June 5, 1851.
The complete serialization appeared almost entirely in the National Era be
... See More
Capture of a slave ship: deplorable condition of the slaves...
Item #690625
June 04, 1860
NEW YORK HERALD, June 4, 1860
* Famous slaver "Wildfire" capture
* African slave trade print fame
Page 4 has a column headed: "Activity In The Slave Trade" "Additional Particulars of the Capture of the Bark Showing French Colors" "Condition of the Africans at Key West".
There are 4 reports here, taking almost an entire column, with subheads: &q... See More
Digging out a railraood in Colorado... Fire in the Adirondacks...
Item #174946
January 24, 1885
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 24, 1885 Full front page Thomas Nast cartoon shows a white & black man knocking on the Liberty Bell: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All The Land Unto All The Inhabitants Thereof".
Inside has dramatic full page print: "Snowed Under--Digging Out a Railroad in Colorado". Fullpg: "Forest Destruction in the Adirondacks" &... See More
A racist newspaper on the trial of the Lincoln conspirators...
Item #716346
June 24, 1865
NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, June 24, 1865
* Lincoln assassins trial
* Rare pro-white title
* Reconstruction era
A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provide a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
Among the reports: "The Assassination Trial&... See More
Dr. Joseph Priestley... France eliminates knighthood...
Item #686807
September 28, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 28, 1791 A page 3 report says: "A subscription was opened in London, before Capt. Scott sailed, for the purpose of building a large and elegant Chapel for the Rev. Dr. Priestley." Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery of oxygen.
There is much concerning the French Revolution including a page 2 item: "National Assembly - Abolition Of... See More
Much on John Brown & Harper's Ferry... Man-hunting...
Item #704574
December 09, 1859
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Dec. 9, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia
Pages 6 & 7 have much on the John Brown insurrection at Harper's Ferry including: "JOHN BROWN'S INVASION" "The Martial Law Illegal--Reaction Against Wide" "The Fugitives--Cooke and Virginia in Kansas" "An Anecdote ... See More
First World Series to include African American comes to close...
New York Yankees Win World Series...
Item #601852
October 07, 1947
THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE-TIMES, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1947
* New York Yankees Win World Series
* First World Series to include an African American
* Jackie Robinson - Brooklyn Dodgers
The sport's section (page 14) has a six column headline:
"N.Y. Pitching, Hitting, Deciding Factor"
with subheads, related photo and box scores. This was the first World Series to incl... See More
If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our
gifts and birthday newspapers page.























































