Black Americana
Black Americana
Voice of the Nation of Islam... Muhammad Ali...
Item #650069
February 23, 1968
MUHAMMAD SPEAKS, Chicago, Illinois, February 23, 1968 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 Of Islam and covered current events around the world as well as relevant news in African American communit... See More
1964 Odetta Holmes & Miriam Makeba...
Item #703769
September 03, 1964
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Sept. 3, 1964
* Odetta Holmes - African American singer
* "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement"
* Village Gate night club performance advertisement
* Miriam Makeba - South African singer - songwriter
* "Mama Africa" - Civil rights activist
Page 9 has a small advertisement for "ODETTA" performa... See More
2nd 1965 march... Selma to Montgomery, Alabama...
Item #713517
March 10, 1965
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, New York, March 10, 1965
* Selma to Montgomery, Alabama
* Martin Luther King Jr.
* 2nd march try - failure
The front page has a very small heading: "Civil Rights Marchers..." (see images) Of course a small heading here as it's the Wall Street Journal, still a first report though and on the front page.
Complete with 28 pages, some small binding holes ... See More
Lincoln's adversary for the Presidency...
Item #172816
September 17, 1864
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 17, 1864 The full front page is a very dramatic print: "Harry Davis Capturing the Battle Flag of the 13th Louisiana Regiment, at the Battle of Ezra Church". Other prints within include: "Admiral Farragut's Fleet Bombarding Fort Morgan" "Rear-Admiral David G. Farragut, U.S.N." "View of Petersburg, Virginia, ... See More
Capture of a slave ship...
Item #698110
January 12, 1854
DAILY OHIO STATESMAN, Columbus, Jan. 12, 1854
* H.N. Ganbrill schooner
* Slaver - slave ship captured
* USS Constitution's last prize
Page 3 has: "The Slaver Gambrill--The Recent Seizure of a Slaver on the Coast of Africa" which includes: "...it was found that the slave deck had all been laid...a large quantity of water & slave provisions, sufficient to s... See More
The Albany Movement... Georgia civil rights...
Item #704537
October 04, 1962
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Oct. 4, 1962
* The Albany Movement - Georgia
* Shiloh Baptist Church gathering
* Negroes - civil rights movement
* Martin Luther King Jr. speech
The front page has a heading: "In Albany Jails" with lead-in: "The Press of Freedom" and related photo. (see images) Lengthy text continues on multiple inside pages.
s... See More
1942 Cleo Wright lynching... Sikeston, Missouri....
Item #685140
January 26, 1942
THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 26, 1942
* Lynching of Cleo Wright - Negro
* Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri
Page 17 has a one column heading: "NEGRO IS LYNCHED BY MISSOURI CROWD" with subhead. (see)
Other news of the day throughout including much on World War II. Complete with all 32 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.
Rag edition in great condition.... See More
Slave advertisements from the nation's capital...
Item #683736
May 01, 1817
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington D.C., May 1, 1817 This issue has not one but two runaway slave advertisements with one on page 3 and the other on the back page.
News of the day and other ads. Four pages, some foxing, good condition.
1904 Lynching of Paul Reed & Will Cato...
Item #693216
August 16, 1904
THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Aug. 16, 1904
* Lynching of Paul Reed and Will Cato - Negroes
* Statesboro & Savannah - Georgia race war
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "A RACE RIOT IS NOW IMMINENT" with subhead. (see) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile... See More
Aviator Glenn Curtis w/ Airplane Photo In 1909...
Item #177076
September 04, 1909
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 4, 1909 Full front page photo: "An American Victor At Rheims", shows Glenn H. Curtiss, the "American aeroplanist", in a suit standing next to a plane.
Great news from the Mexican War... Four slave-related ads from this leading slave import city...
Item #695246
August 12, 1847
THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Aug. 12, 1847 In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Page 2 has a great wealth of reporting from the Mexican War, including historic reports on General Scott having come to the gates of Mexico City, one of th
... See More
On the Fugitive Slave Act... Fillmore's state-of-the-union address...
Item #689777
December 05, 1850
NEW HAMPSHIRE PATRIOT & STATE GAZETTE, Concord, Dec. 5, 1850 The front page has 2 1/2 columns taken up with a length report concerning; "The Fugitive Slave Law--Is it Constitutional? Shall we Obey it? Or Shall We Disobey it & Become Rebels & Traitors to the Constitution and the Union?"
Much of pages 2 & 3 are taken up with the: "President's Message" w... See More
Bird's-eye-view of Savannah, Georgia...
Item #174822
November 17, 1883
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 17, 1883 Front page print: "The Modern David--A Good Work Well Begun". Half page print: "The Labor of Sentenced Prisoners". Nice fullpg: "Sketches in Puget Sound" with 3 scenes. Very nice fullpg: "The City and Harbor of Savannah, Georgia" is a nice overview of the city. 2/3 page print: "The New Building of t... See More
Editorial commentary on Seward's "irrepressible conflict" speech...
Item #683708
October 28, 1858
NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 28, 1858
* William H. Seward on slavery
* re. Irrepressible Conflict speech
Page 4 contains a lengthy editorial on Seward's "irrepressible conflict" speech given just 3 days prior at Rochester. In his speech Seward took the opportunity to characterize the United States as divided between two opposing political systems, one based on slavery and the ... See More
Martin Luther King Jr. is arrested...
Item #696862
July 28, 1962
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., July 28, 1962
* Albany Georgia civil rights rally - prayer
* Martin Luther King Jr. arrest and put in jail (day of)
Page 6 has a two column heading: "Negro Strategists Map Plans In Racial Assault" (see) King and his associates would be arrested shortly after this publication was released.
Complete with 12 pages, light toning at the mar... See More
Eisnehower's "Crusade of Freedom"... Man convicted of "leering"...
Item #691351
November 12, 1952
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 12, 1952
* Convicted of "Leering" from a distance
* Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina
* President Eisenhower's "Crusade of Freedom" speech
The front page has: "Negro in North Carolina Convicted Of Assault by 'Leer' at White Girl", which continues on page 21. It tells of sharecropper Mack Ingram's conviction of... See More
1929 Rome, Mississippi Negro lynching...
Item #709450
January 01, 1929
THE DAY, New London, Connecticut, Jan. 1, 1929
* Charles Shepherd Negro lynching
* Rome, Mississippi stake burning
The front page has a one column heading: "Negro Slayer Lynched and Body Burned" (see images) First report coverage on the lynching of Negro Charles Shepherd at Rome, Mississippi.
Complete with 16 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, some... See More
Negro girl being whipped... Sheridan's ride...
Item #173128
September 14, 1867
HARPER'S WEEKLY, Sept. 14, 1867 Most of ftpg: 'Whipping A Negro Girl in N.C. by Unconstructed Johnsonians' with text as well. 3/4 pg: 'Sheridan's Ride'. Nice fullpg: 'The Last Shot' shows a soldier off his horse, shooting an Indian with a tomahawk about to kill him.
Complete in sixteen pages.
On slaves defecting north, after the Emancipation Proclamation...
Item #687506
November 18, 1862
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Nov. 18, 1862 Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "Rebel Evacuation of Snicker's Gap" "Cavalry Expedition to the Shenandoah" "The Blockade of Charleston Harbor" and more.
One report: "The Proclamation--The Contrabands--White Slaves in the South" which refers to Lincoln's recent Emancipation Proclamation. S... See More
'Little Mac Out Again' shows McClellan on horseback...
Item #172540
January 25, 1862
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 25, 1862 This issue features a nice full front page print: 'Little Mac Out Again' which shows McClellan on horseback. Inside includes a full page with two prints: 'Fort Holt, Kentucky, Opposite Cairo' and 'Commodore Foote's Gun-Boat Flotilla on the Mississippi'. A full page: "Bird's-eye View of the Vessels Composing ... See More
Slave ads & notices in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper... Slave labor in California...
Item #701059
September 20, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 20, 1850
* Rare antebellum publication
* From the deep South
* Anti abolitionist - pro Confederate
Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
The front page has an illustrated ad: "$20 Reward" for a runaway mulatto boy. Also of interest is a front page ad headed: "Sl... See More
Martin Luther King Jr.'s mother slain...
Item #596678
July 01, 1974
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 1, 1974
* Alberta Williams King killed
* Martin Luther King Jr. mother
* Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov defects
The front page has a four column headline: "Mother of Dr. King Is Killed in Church; Atlanta Deacon Slain; Gunman Seized" with subhead and two related photos. Much more on page 20. Loads of text here. 1st report coverage ... See More
On a fugitive slave case... News from California...
Item #695946
March 27, 1851
THE NATIONAL ERA, Washington, D.C., March 27, 1851
* Rare abolitionism publication
An anti-slavery newspaper that 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 appeare
... See More
Fire at Baltimore... Auto Races at Ormond Beach...
Item #177239
February 13, 1904
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 13, 1904
John Brown's Harper's Ferry invasion... Lydia Maria Child's letter...
Item #692550
November 19, 1859
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Nov. 19, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Woman abolitionist Lydia Maria Child
Page 5 has column heads: "The Panic At Harper's Ferry" "1,000 Men In Arms" "Powder & Minnie Balls Sent On" "Not a Single Enemy to be Found" "He Humbugs the Whole Country" "Virginians Enraged at Him"... See More
The Battle of Jackson, Mississippi...
Item #172686
June 20, 1863
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 20, 1863 Most of the front page is taken up with 2 prints: "The Iron-Clad Gunboat 'Cincinnati', Sunk at Vicksburg." and "The Monster Tent Erected at Chicago for the Canal Convention." Among the prints inside are a full page: "Triumphal Entry of the Army of Major-General Banks Into Alexandria, Louisiana" and a fullpg: &... See More
1902 Shiloh Baptist Church stampede...
Item #718032
September 20, 1902
WELLSVILLE DAILY REPORTER, New York, September 20, 1902
* Shiloh Baptist Church stampede
* Birmingham, Alabama black church
* Booker T. Washington was present
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "CRASH ON HUMANITY" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally in good condition.
AI notes: The Shi... See More
1949 Peekskill New York riots...
Item #712606
August 28, 1949
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, August 28, 1949 (sections 1-4, 9-10)
* Peekskill New York riots
* Paul Robeson - activist
* anti-communist demonstration
The front page has a one column heading: "ROBESON CONCERT BALKED BY MELEE" with subheading: "Hundreds in Fight at Park Near Peekskill After Veterans' Parade--Nine Injured". The article tells of the Peekskill Riots at ... See More
1977 interview w/ rascist Amiri Baraka...
Item #715676
August 01, 1977
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Aug. 1, 1977
* Amiri Baraka - LeRoi Jones
* African American culture writer
* Interview of racist with photos
The front page has a heading: "AMIRI BARAKA'S LONG MARCH" with photo. And beginning on page 12 is a interview with him which includes some related photo. See images for small portion of the text.
I suspe... 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 #665398
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
1919 Chicago Race Riot... Red Summer...
Item #711332
July 30, 1919
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 30, 1919
* Chicago, Illinois race riots
* Negroes vs. white citizens
* The Red Summer of 1919
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "28 DEAD, 500 HURT IN THREE-DAY RACE RIOTS IN CHICAGO" with subheads. (see images)
Complete in 22 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally very nice.
wiki... See More
1st Negro pitcher makes MLB debut...
Item #708895
August 27, 1947
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 27, 1947
* Dan Bankhead makes MLB debut
* 1st African American pitcher
* Brooklyn Dodgers baseball
The top of page 27 has a six column heading: "Pirates Rout Dodgers on 20-Hit Attack" with subheads that include: "Bankhead Hits Home Run" "But Negro Pitcher Is Routed with Gregg..." The report begins with: "Dan Bankhead made his debu... See More
Alfred Vanderbilt weds... William H Lewis being ousted out the American Bar Association...
Item #589685
March 05, 1912
VALLEY SENTINEL, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1912 The front page features a large photo of Mrs. Alfred G. Vanderbilt, whom he had just recently married. Just slightly more than three years later, Mr. Vanderbilt would be among the victims in the sinking of the Lusitania.
Another article within the issue is "Fights for Lewis" which was Attorney General Wickersham stating that... See More
1967 death of Mississippi John Hurt...
Item #703385
January 19, 1967
THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 19, 1967
* Guitarist Mississippi John Hurt death editorial
* African American blues singer & songwriter
The top of page 7 has a heading: "Mississippi John Hurt: Death of a quiet Legend" (see images)
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
It is worth noting th... See More
United Negro College Fund is founded....
Item #682683
May 01, 1944
NEW YORK TIMES, May 1, 1944
* UNCF founded - starts
* United Negro College Fund
Page 17 has a brief, discrete but very notable article with one column headings: "Drive To Open Wednesday" "United Negro College Fund Seeks to Raise $1,500,000".
Complete in 34 pages, this is the "rag edition" printed on very high quality newsprint meant for institutional hol... See More
1993 "POSSE" opening day film advertisement...
Item #718796
May 18, 1993
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, May 18, 1993
* "POSSE" film advertisement
* Opening day premiere in Manhattan
* African American Western cowboys movie
* Directed & starring Mario Van Peebles
* Big Daddy Kane - Tone Loc - Tiny Lister
Page 57 has a nice full page advertisement for the opening day premiere of "POSSE" in Manhattan.&... See More
Abbeville, Alabama Negro lynching...
Item #687819
February 05, 1937
THE NEW YORK TIMES, February 5, 1937
* Wesley Johnson Negro lynching
* Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama
The top of the front page has a small one column heading: "Acts to Impeach Sheriff After Alabama Lynching" (see) First report coverage on the lynching of Negro Wes Johnson at Abbeville, Alabama.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 40... See More
1933 Princess Anne, Maryland Negro lynching...
Item #688519
October 20, 1933
THE SCRANTON TIMES, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1933.
* George Armwood Negro lynched
* Princess Anne, Maryland
* Last lynching in the state
Page 2 has a two column photo with heading: "Victim Of Maryland Lynching" See images for brief coverage on the lynching of Negro George Armwood in Princess Anne, Maryland.
Complete with 36 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, ge... See More
James T. Scales lynching... Pikeville, TN...
Item #713899
November 24, 1944
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass. November 24, 1944
* James T. Scales, Pikeville, Tennessee lynching
* Great World War II coverage vs. Japanese
The front page has one column heading: "NEGRO TRUSTEE SLAIN BY MOB" with subhead. (see images) First report coverage on the lynching of Negro teen James T. Scales in Pikeville, Tennessee.
Complete with 16 pages, light toning and s... See More
"The Blacks" Off-Broadway play opening day ad & review...
Item #701744
May 11, 1961
THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York, May 11, 1961
* "The Blacks" Off-Broadway play
* Opening day advertisement & review
* Theater director Gene Frankel
Page 10 has a advertisement for the opening week for "The Blacks" Off-Broadway play. Page 11 has it's opening day review which continues on other inside pages.
wikipedia notes: Gene Frankel's di... See More
Runaway slave ads...
Item #684633
May 26, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, May 26, 1796
* Rare 18th century American title
* Slaves advertisements
The front page has an ad: "For Sale, A healthy Negro Girl..." with details.
Page 3 has two runway slave ads headed: "Twenty Dollars Reward" and "Five Pounds Reward" with details.
Four pages, purple colored staining affects... See More
1969 be-in at Central Park ad... Nat Hentoff column...
Item #700674
April 04, 1968
THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York, April 4, 1968
* Columnist Nat Hentoff - NYC police
* Be-in at Central Park advertisement
* Protest to End the War in Vietnam
* Date Martin Luther King jr. was killed
Page 11 has a column by columnist Nat Hentoff titled: "Keeping the Cops From Riotijng"
Page 29 has a 9 1/2 x 6 inch advertisement for a Anti-Vietnam War be-in at She... See More
1965 Lorraine Hansberry death... Greenwich Village...
Item #703887
January 14, 1965
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Jan. 14, 1965
* Lorraine Hansberry death w/ photo
* African American playwright & writer
* "A Raisin in the Sun" play fame
* Best publication to be had
The bottom of the front page has a photo of Lorraine Hansberry with text. (see image) Great to have in the publication as she was living on Bl
... See More
* African American playwright & writer
* "A Raisin in the Sun" play fame
* Best publication to be had
The bottom of the front page has a photo of Lorraine Hansberry with text. (see image) Great to have in the publication as she was living on Bl
Patterson v. Alabama... Scottsboro Boys....
Item #712552
April 02, 1935
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 2, 1935
* Patterson v. Alabama decision
* United States Supreme Court case
* Scottsboro Boys rape case
* Jury of African-Americans
The front page has a one column heading: "2D SCOTTSBORO DEATH PENALTY UPSET BY COURT" with subhead. (see images) Coverage continues on page 14 with photo of Haywood Patterson.
Complete with 34 pages, rag edition in nice... See More
Martin Luther King Jr. sentenced to 4 months.......
Item #696428
July 19, 1960
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 19, 1960
* Martin Luther King Jr.
* Civil rights movement leader
* Acquitted of income tax evasion (perjury)
Page 21 has a small one column heading: "Dr. King Is Cleared In 2d Perjury Case" (see)
Complete with 50 pages, minor margin wear, light toning along the central fold, nice condition.
... See More
Brooklyn Dodgers win pennant... Jackie Robinson...
Item #696752
September 23, 1947
THE DETROIT NEWS, September 23, 1947
* Brooklyn Dodgers win pennant
* 1st Year of Jackie Robinson - The Bums
The front page of the sport's section has a banner heading: "Sept. 30: Dodgers vs. Yankees in New York" (see images)
Complete with 44 pages, rag edition in nice condition.
Booker T. Washington in a court case... Funeral of John B. McDonald, the builder of the New York subway system...
Item #581049
March 21, 1911
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, New York, March 21, 1911 The front page of this issue contains a one-column headline "Dr. Washington Too Ill To Go To Court" with sub-headlines "Set low Issues Statement for Trustees, Expressing Their Confidence in Him" "Lawyers Hold conference" "injuries Caused by Falls, Not by Blows, Ulrich Says, Who Asserts Negro Educator Hit Him, Then ... See More
The Lowry War in North Carolina...
Item #700084
December 28, 1872
THE NEW YORK HERALD, Dec. 28, 1872
* Andrew Strong killed
* Lowry's War - gang
* Pembroke, North Carolina
* Scuffletown
Page three has an article on the Lowery (Lowry, Lowrie) War in North Carolina.
The Lowry War is a notable event in North Carolina history. Led by Henry Berry Lowry, whose father and brother were murdered by men of the Confederate Home Guard, a band of American... See More
1965 Martin Luther King Jr. civil rights movement...
Item #713830
April 02, 1965
THE DETROIT NEWS, April 2, 1965
* Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. going nationwide ?
* Post Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights movement marches
The front page has a one column heading: "King Plans Rights Drive in All U.S." (see images) After the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marches, King decided to take his movement nationwide.
Complete with ... See More
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arrested...
Item #696693
April 13, 1963
THE PRATT DAILY TRIBUNE, Kansas, April 13, 1963
* Martin Luther King Jr. arrested
* Birmingham civil rights campaign
* Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The top of the back page has a one column heading: "Negro Student Help Sought" Civil unrest in Birmingham would continue for weeks with many confrontations between black youth and white civic authorities.
Complete with 8 ... See More
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