Black Americana
Black Americana
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
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
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
The Denmark Vesey slave revolt... Would one day fuel Frederick Douglass' battle-cry for freedom...
Item #722819
July 13, 1822
NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, July 13, 1822
* Denmark Vesey Slaves Rebellion
* Free black man in Charleston SC
The back page has a report of the Denmark Vesey slave revolt, noting that six slaves were executed in Charleston.
The report has a small heading: "South Carolina" and reads: "Six negro men, one of them free, and the rest slaves, were executed at... See More
The Mormon population in Utah...
Item #692317
March 01, 1851
THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, (Greensboro), North Carolina, March 1, 1851
* Mormons - Mormonism population
* Rare Antebellum publication
* 10 years prior to the Civil War
Rarely are we able to secure antebellum newspapers from this city.
Among the articles is: "A Proclamation By the President of the United States" concerning those opposing the forces in Mass., signed in type: Millard Fillmore... 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.
Building the Capitol... Slave ads in 1820....
Item #702100
April 14, 1820
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, April 14, 1820
* President James Monroe
* Act of United States Congress
* Capitol building construction
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
... See More
* President James Monroe
* Act of United States Congress
* Capitol building construction
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
On the John Brown Harper's Ferry invasion... Fugitive slave Columbus Jones...
Item #690299
November 16, 1859
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Nov. 16, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia
Among articles are: "The John Brown Fund" "JOHN BROWN'S INVASION--Expulsion of Strangers" which takes a full column; "Southern Protest Against The Virginia View of Harper's Ferry" taking half a column.
Page 5 has a report of noted fu... 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
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
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
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
Military scenes in Florida: preparing for the Civil War...
Item #172456
April 06, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 6, 1861 The full front page is a print of: "Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary Of State" taken from a Brady photograph. Inside includes a two-thirds page vertical print of: "The United States Gun-boat 'Wyandotte' Firing a Salute on Washington's Birthday in Pensacola Harbor", plus a nearly half page of: "The Flag-Staff B... See More
Many Civil War prints, and a rare account of Sojourner Truth...
Item #172856
February 04, 1865
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 4, 1865 Prints found in this issue include a front page image of: "General Alfred H. Terry" and also on the ftpg. is: "Landing of Soldiers and Sailors Above Fort Fisher".
Inside pages include a full page: "The Army of the Potomac Receiving the News of the Capture of Fort Fisher"; two quarter page images of: "The Late Lie... See More
Boat-Racing on the Hudson....
Item #177465
October 12, 1907
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 12, 1907 There is a front page illustration, "Blood-Curdling Nightmare in the Canebrake" by W. A. Rogers. There are photos of "Training Bluejackets for the Battle-Ship Cruise to the Pacific" and a comic portrayal of John D. Rockefeller and Mark Twain. There is a double page illustration of "Music" by James Mon... See More
Flatiron Building...
Item #177211
July 18, 1903
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 18, 1903
Scenes from the Dakota Territory...
Item #689135
November 30, 1867
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Nov. 30, 1867 Most of the front page is a print captioned: "Preparing For a Quiet Sunday Under the Operation of the Excise Law".
The tipped-in (no binding holes) doublepage centerfold is a great montage of 8 prints: "The Operation of the Registration Laws & Negro Suffrage in the South".
Among other prints within: "The D... See More
One of the less common 18th century titles...
Item #705984
June 14, 1797
PORCUPINE'S GAZETTE, Philadelphia, June 14, 1797
* Rare 18th century American publication
The entire front page is taken up with ads including a a detailed ad for a runaway slave ad under: "Fifty Dollars Reward".
Another can be found on the back page.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, nice condition.
AI notes: Porcupine’s Gazette was a daily Philad... See More
Destruction of Lawrence, Kansas...
Item #172708
September 05, 1863
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 5, 1863 The full front page shows: "Moseby's Guerrillas Destroying Sutlers' Train". Inside prints include a dramatic fullpg: "The Destruction of the City of Lawrence, Kansas and the Massacre of its Inhabitants by the Rebel Guerrillas"; a full page with 4 prints: "Morris Island Sketches"; a three-quarter page map s... See More
Great Salt Lake... Capture of a slave ship...
Item #687004
June 16, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 16, 1849 Page 3 has half a column taken up with: "Expedition To the Great Salt Lake" which is very descriptive of their findings.
Page 3 also has a small article: "Capture Of A Slaver" noting the capture of the slave schooner Zenobia: "...with 500 slaves on board...Great suffering had been experienced by the unfor... See More
Eighteenth century Baltimore...
Item #694377
July 05, 1797
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, July 5, 1797
* Rare 18th century American publication
Curious that the title uses 5 different fonts. Page 3 has a report: "'Termination of the British Fleet Mutiny".
The back page is filled with ads including at least 3 reward ads for runaways, as well as: "To be Sold, the time of a stout, likely Negr... See More
Abraham Lincoln's position... Fugitive slave case...
Item #705316
January 30, 1861
NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 30, 1861
* Abraham Lincoln about to change America
Near the top of the front page is: "Important From Springfield" "The Position Of the President Elect" noting in part: "...stating that Mr. Lincoln had written to his Congressional friends recommending conciliatory measures...country may rest assured that in Abraham Lincoln they have a... See More
Tuscaloosa AL negro lynchings...
Item #569866
August 14, 1933
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, August 14, 1933 This 30 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "ALABAMA MOB KILLS 2 INDICTED NEGROES" "A Third Is Carried Off by Armed Men, Who Waylay Sheriff and Deputies" and more. (see)
Tells of the lynching of Negroes Dan Pippen & A.T. Hardin in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Other news of the day throughout. Light bro... See More
Harry T. Moore assassination....
Item #570072
December 27, 1951
THE TIMES PICAYUNE, New Orleans, Louisiana, December 27, 1951 This 36 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "BLAST TAKES LIFE OF NEGRO LEADER" "NAACP Official Killed as Explosion Rips Home".
This tells of the assassination plot on Civil Rights leader Harry T. Moore in Mims, Florida.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning, otherwise goo... See More
Assassination of Ormond Chase... The John Brown Excitement...
Item #172316
December 03, 1859
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 3, 1859 Ftpg. shows: 'Assassination of Ormond Chase by the Mexicans at Tepic', showing him hanging from a tree. A 1/4 page illustration of "John W. Forney, Esq., of Philadelphia". Also a 1/3 page illustration "Scene in a Fashionable Church at Lima". A dramatic fullpage showing the 'Loss of the 'Royal Charger... See More
Satchel Paige makes his 1st MLB start.....
Item #694918
August 04, 1948
THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 4, 1948
* Satchel Paige makes 1st MLB baseball start
* Negro star at 42 years old - Cleveland Indians
The sport's section (page 26) has a three column heading: "Indians Win and Lead League" with subheads: "PAIGE AS STARTER GETS FIRST VICTORY" "Gives 7 Hits Before Retiring for Pinch Hitter in 7th--Indians Top Senators, 5-3&q... See More
RMS Queen Mary maiden voyage begins in 1936...
Item #721328
May 27, 1936
NEW YORK WORLD-TELEGRAM, May 27, 1936
* Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary
* Maiden voyage begins w/ photo
The front page has a one column heading: "S.S. QUEEN MARY HEADS FOR U. S." with subhead. First report coverage continues on page 8 with related photo (see images). Nice to have from the city where she would end her maiden voyage.
Complete with all 48 pages, light toning at
... See More
* Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary
* Maiden voyage begins w/ photo
The front page has a one column heading: "S.S. QUEEN MARY HEADS FOR U. S." with subhead. First report coverage continues on page 8 with related photo (see images). Nice to have from the city where she would end her maiden voyage.
Complete with all 48 pages, light toning at
1987 "Bob Dylan & Grateful Dead" at Giants Stadium...
Item #718795
June 02, 1987
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, June 2, 1987
* Bob Dylan w/ the Grateful Dead
* Giants Stadium concert advertisement
* Iconic rock music collaboration
Page 66 has a nice full page advertisement for a upcoming performance by "BOB DYLAN w/ The Grateful Dead " at Giants Stadium in east Rutherford, New Jersey. (see images)
AI notes: ... See More
Black feminist Michelle Wallace in 1974...
Item #715465
July 28, 1975
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, July 28, 1975
* African American Michelle Wallace editorial
* Black feminist author - cultural critic
Pages 6 & 7 has a editorial written by Michelle Wallace with two related photos. See images for portion of the text.
wikipedia notes: From 1974 to 1975, Wallace worked at Newsweek as a book review researcher. During this pe... See More
Trout fishing...
Item #174140
May 19, 1877
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 19, 1877 Full ftpg. Nast cartoon. Fullpg: 'To the Rescue' shows men on the scene of a ship wreck. Fullpg: 'Antiquities'. 1/3 pg. scene in Japan, Iwakuni Bridge. Halfpg: 'Trout Fishing'.
Flight 421 airplane disaster... Jackie Robinson hits for the cycle...
Item #698849
August 30, 1948
THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 30, 1948
* Northwest Airlines Flight 421 disaster
* Winona, Minnesota
* Jackie Robinson hits for the cycle
The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Plane Crashes in Midwest; All 36 on Board Are Killed" with subhead. (see images) Report continues on page 8 with related map.
Page 21 is a 7 column headline that reads: &... See More
Gordonsville, Virginia, negroes killed...
Item #718925
May 16, 1936
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, May 16, 1936
* Negroes - William & Cora Wells
* Racial violence - mob lynching ?
* Gordonsville, Orange County, Virginia
The top of page 3 has a one column heading: "NEGRO, HIS SISTER SHOT AND BURNED; HE KILLED SHERIFF" with subheads and related photo. (see images)
Complete with 20 pages, light toning and some wear at the margins, mainly along the sp... See More
Much on 'Bleeding Kansas'... Letter from P. T. Barnum...
Item #700057
May 13, 1856
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, May 13, 1856
* Bleeding Kansas
* Missouri border invasion
* War on slavery
* P.T. Barnum
Pages 4 & 5 contain a wealth of reporting concerning the slavery vs. anti-slavery factions as Kansas worked toward achieving statehood.
Page 4 has a nearly half-column article relating to this, and page 5 has column heads: "IMPORTANT FROM KANSAS" "Gov. Robi... See More
General Grant's and General Sherman's campaigns...
Item #172800
July 23, 1864
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 23, 1864 The entire front page is a print of: "The Sinking of the 'Alabama' Off Cherbourg". Other prints within include: "View on the Appomattox, Below Port Walthall" "Jones's Neck, From General Foster's Head-Quarters, Near Malvern Hill, on the James" "Divine Service at General Baldy Smith's Headquarte... See More
Voice of the Nation of Islam on Chrsistmas...
Item #724142
January 01, 1971
MUHAMMAD SPEAKS, Chicago, Illinois, January 1, 1971
* Rare African American periodical
* Nation of Islam religious movement
* Elijah Muhammad - founder
This newspaper was one of the most widely-read ever produced by an African American organization. Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad began the publication on May 1960 as a weekly publication. It was distributed nationwide by the Nation ... See More
Should the U.S. boycott the 1936 Olympics?
Item #709892
December 09, 1935
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Dec. 9, 1935
* Movement to boycott the Berlin Olympics
* Jewish Holocaust - plight of the Jews
* Adolph Hitler & Nazi Germany
* Amateur Athletic Union votes for participation
There was considerable controversy in the United States preceding the 1936 Olympics as to whether the games should be boycotted due to Hitler's Nazi regime and its treatment of J... See More
Death of the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...
Item #718094
May 23, 1829
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 23, 1829
* Founding father John Jay death
Page two has a report with a small heading: "John Jay is No More" with the article beginning: "It seldom falls to our lot to record the death of so distinguished a man as this. Another Revolutionary Patriot has gone down to the grave..." (see).
John Jay was President of the Continental ... See More
The Hudson River Canoe Club...
Item #174986
June 13, 1885
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 13, 1885 Full front pg. illus. of "The British Cutter Yacht 'Genesta', Challenger for the 'America's Cup." Inside is a full pg. Nast illus. of "No Pressure Strong Enough to Change President's Policy." Full pg. illus. of "Decoration Day in New York-President Cleveland Reviewing the Procession."
Full pg. ill... See More
1968 Poor People's Campaign... Jerry Garcia & Pigpen...
Item #708943
May 09, 1968
THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York, May 9, 1968
* Poor People's Campaign - demonstration march
* Post Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination
* Ralph Abernathy - A. D. King photos
* Early Jerry Garcia & Pigpen photo - Grateful Dead
A great issue of this famous counter-culture newspaper as the front page has 3 related photos with heading: "Poor People's Campaign: Last Exit to ... See More
1971 Hazelwood massacre... Detroit, Michigan...
Item #710299
June 15, 1971
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass. June 15, 1971
* Hazelwood Street massacre - murders
* Detroit, Michigan home shootings
* 8 African-Americans executions
Page 10 has a heading that reads: "Detroit Police Hunt 4 After 7 'Executions'" (see images)
Complete with 42 pages, tiny binding holes along the spine, nice condition.
wikipedia notes: The Hazelwood massacre was a June 1... See More
Massacre at Fort Pillow... Ringgold, Georgia...
Item #172776
April 30, 1864
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 30, 1864 The front page shows a group of officers making a toast, along with a poem concerning the third anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. Prints within include: "In The Fair" "Admiral Porter's Flotilla" "the Steam Ram 'Switzerland". Some articles include: "Sketches of the Red River Expedition" ... See More
Barack Obama becomes America's first African-American president...
Item #718799
November 05, 2008
(2) NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 5, 2008 and Jan. 21, 2009 A great pair of issues reporting both the election and inauguration of the first African-American president to occupy the White House.
The banner headline of the 5th is a simple: "OBAMA" beneath which is: "Racial Barrier Falls In Decisive Victory". The banner headline of the 21st announces: "OBAMA TAKES OATH, A... See More
The March on Washington... Martin Luther King, Jr....
Item #708323
September 12, 1963
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Sept. 12, 1963
* Martin Luther King Jr. - civil rights movement
* March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
* Letter to the editor - eyewitness account
* "I Have a Dream" speech fame
Beginning on page 4 is a lengthy letter the editor headed: "An 'Invisible Man' Replies" Text continues on page 6 and... See More
Archie Williams wins gold at the Berlin Olympics...
Item #662475
August 08, 1936
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, August 8, 1936
* Archie Williams wins gold medal
* African American 400m victory
* Olympics games in Berlin Germany
The front page of the sport's section has a nice banner headline: "WILLIAMS WINS 400 METER RUN" with subheads and wire photo. (see)
A sidebar to the Olympic games was Adolph Hitler's refusal to acknowledge the achievements of ... See More
Capture of Fort Pillow... The Chenango disaster... Paducah, Kentucky...
Item #678319
April 17, 1864
THE NEW YORK HERALD, New York City, April 17, 1864.
* The capture of Fort Pillow and negro slaughter
* USS Chenango boiler explosion
* Paducah, Kentucky
This Genuine newspaper has a Wealth of Civil War reporting from during Abraham Lincoln's administration. Among the one column headlines on the Civil War are: "THE CHENANGO DISASTER" "Additional Details of the Shocking C... See More
Mayor Gaynor Shot.....
Item #177573
August 13, 1910
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York City, August 13, 1910 This issue includes two front pages, something that is very unusual. The second front page was probably added after the newspapers were printed for the week when Mayor Gaynor was shot. The first front page of this issue is a photo of "Getting on at Panama" and the second one is of "The Attempted Assassination of Mayor Gayn
... See More
Little Rock Nine in 1957...
Item #715158
October 02, 1957
THE DETROIT NEWS, Oct. 2, 1957
* Little Rock Nine
* Negro students - Arkansas
* Central High School
The front page has a banner headline: "IKE-FAUBUS TRUCE FAILS" with lead-in: "Troops Stay at School" and subheads. (see images). Coverage continues on page 2.
Complete with 84 pages, minor margin wear, small binding holes along the spine, generally in nice condition.... See More
Porgy and Bess opera... George Gershwin...
Item #721434
October 10, 1935
THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 10, 1935
* Porgy and Bess folk-opera
* Composer George Gershwin
* Opening day in Manhattan - NYC
The top of page 30 under "NEWS OF THE STAGE" is a two column heading: "'Gershwin's Folk Opera, 'Porgy and Bess', Opens Tonight..." The same page has a small advertisement for the opera on it's opening night. (see images)
I su... See More
Susan B. Anthony...
Item #173736
July 05, 1873
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 5, 1873 The front page illustration is entitled "Prepared for the Campaign - a Reverie of the Coming Summer." Inside is a small, one column illustration of "Susan B. Anthony" plus an article headed: "Susan B. Anthony's Vote", talking of her being arrested for voting in Rochester. Rare to find prints of her.
An article ent... See More
Jesse Owens as Ohio State track star...
Item #719788
June 02, 1935
SPORT'S SECTION ONLY of the New York Times, June 2, 1935
* Jesse Owens on the World stage
* Ohio State Buckeyes track star
* Leading candidate for Berlin Olympics
Page 2 of the section has a two column heading: "Owens's record-Breaking Feats Presage Brilliant Olympic Mark" with subhead and photo of Owens crossing the finish line. (see) This was just a week after his famou... See More
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