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
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
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
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
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
Prohibition era - hospitals want whisky... A modern Paul Revere's warning...
Item #693957
March 06, 1923
THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 6, 1923
*Interesting Prohibition Headlines
The 2nd page has fascinating Prohibition coverage including: “CITY WANTS WHISKY FOR HOSPITAL USE”,“MODERN PAUL REVERE WARNS OF LIQUOR RAID” and “RUM-RUNNING ON THE SOUND”.
Other single-column headlines include: “LAUDS NEGRO EDUCATION”, "Harding Foresees B... See More
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
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
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
American Anti-Slavery Society... Lucy Stone (Blackwell)... C.L. Remond... Mormon troubles...
Item #719150
May 13, 1857
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, May 13, 1857 Starting on page 2 and continuing on the back page are two articles covering the anniversary meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society. The text of several speeches were included, including those of Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, Reverend T. W. Higginson, Charles Lenox Remond, and more, along with a brief description of the appearance of Lucy ... 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
War is on the horizon... Election results by Pony Express...
Item #692521
December 20, 1860
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 20, 1860
* Pony Express re. Abraham Lincoln's election win
* Pre Civil War Southern tensions - secession ?
Considerable reporting on national events that would soon lead to the Civil War.
Inside page reports include one beginning: "The Pony Express passed Fort Kearney early on Tuesday...with later California news. The official result of the Presidentia... 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
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
One of the less common 18th century titles...
Item #705984
June 14, 1797
PORCUPINE'S GAZETTE, Philadelphia, June 14, 1797 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.
Details on the capture of a slave ship...
Item #704911
May 18, 1860
NEW YORK HERALD, May 18, 1860
* Famous slaver "Wildfire" capture
* African slavery trade print fame
Page 2 begins with: "The Slave Trade" "Additional Particulars in Regard to the Bark Wildfire and Her Cargo" with the report taking over half a column.
The text begins: "The bark Wildfire, with a cargo of over 500 Africans on board, was cap... 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
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
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
1961 Albany, Georgia movement... MLK...
Item #696674
December 13, 1961
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 13, 1961
* Albany Movement - Georgia
* Desegregation & voters' rights
* Freedom Riders trial protests - arrests
The top of page 51 has a one column heading: "ALBANY, GA., JAILS 267 NEGRO YOUTHS" with subhead. (see images) Though not mentioned in this report, Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of main leaders in this civil rights movement.
Complete w... See More
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
Earl Wilson throws 1st African American no-hitter...
Item #721811
June 27, 1962
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., June 27, 1962
* Earl Wilson throws no-hitter
* Boston Red Sox
* 1st African American in AL
* Major League Baseball - MLB
Page 6 has a two column heading: "Wilson's No - Hit Job Earns a New Contract" with lead-in: "Yawkey Delighted" (see images)
Complete with 20 pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, gene... See More
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
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
Thomas Nast creates a displayable New Year's Day centerfold...
Item #172742
January 02, 1864
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1864 Part of front page is a cross section: 'Diagram of Monitor 'Weehawken' Sunk in Charleston Harbor'. Also on the ftpg. are prints of: "Frederick VII, Late King of Denmark" and "Christian IX, Present King of Denmark".
Inside has full page prints captioned: "The Army of the Cumberland--General Baird's Di... See More
Death by duel for naval hero Stephen Decatur...
Item #701485
March 23, 1820
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 23, 1820
* Stephen Decatur Killed
* United States Navy commodore
* Duel vs. James Barron
The front page has a report of a slave insurrection in Cuba. Page 3 has a broadside-like announcement, in larger than normal type & black-bordered, announcing the death of naval hero Stephen Decatur, mentioning his death as a result of a duel.
... 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
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
Integration within 1963 Alabama high schools...
Item #721597
September 11, 1963
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Sept. 11, 1963
* Alabama high schools integration
* Negroes - student enter for classes
* Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham
The front page has a six column heading: "Alabama Schools Integrated" with subheads and two related photos. (see images) More inside.
Complete with 30+ pages, small library stamp near the top of the front page, some sma... See More
Leo XIII.
Item #177457
August 10, 1907
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 10, 1907
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
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
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
Harriet Tubman's gravesite erected...
Item #688316
July 25, 1937
SECTION 2 ONLY of the New York Times, July 25, 1937
* Harriet Tubman - African American abolitionist
* Gravesite gravestone marker erection
* Auburn, Cayuga County, New York
Page 4 of this section has a small one column heading: "Mark Ex-Slave's Grave" with subhead: "Women at Auburn Honor 'Aunt Harriet' of 'Underground Railroad'" (see) First report ... 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
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
1933 Ringgold, Louisiana Negro lynching...
Item #715463
February 20, 1933
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, February 20, 1933
* Nelson Nash, Negro lynching - hanging
* Ringgold, Bienville Parish, Louisiana
The top of page 2 has a one column heading: "LOUISIANA MOB LYNCHES NEGRO AFTER SLAYING" with subhead. (see images) First report coverage on the lynching of Nelson Nash in Ringgold, Louisiana.
Complete with 27 pages, rag edition in very nice conditi... 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
Item #177471
November 23, 1907
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 23, 1907
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
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.
An Inside Look
Timothy Hughes Rare &
Early Newspapers…
A special thank you goes out
to the staff of WGRC!
to the staff of WGRC!
History's Newsstand Blog
- Thomas Jefferson helps to codify George Washington’s footsteps…
- Publishing Under Fire: The Nippon Fijii and the Aftermath of Pearl Harbor…
- The December, 2025 Catalog (#361): Must-Have Newspapers for the 250th Anniversary of American Independence (1776–2026)
- Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (November, 1775)…
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
