Black Americana
Black Americana
John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry...
Item #703964
October 22, 1859
NEW YORK TIMES, October 22, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia
The front page has an article headed: "The Virginia Rebellion" "...Arms Distributed through Virginia--Incidents and Details" and more. The reporting takes nearly 4 columns.
Page 4 has: "The South and the Insurrection" taking over a full co... See More
Scottsboro Boys rape case ends in 1937...
Item #721815
July 25, 1937
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 25, 1937
* Scottsboro Boys case ends w/ release
* African American teenagers - Negroes
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "SCOTTSBORO CASE ENDS AS 4 GO FREE; 2 MORE GET PRISON" with subheads. (see images)
Complete 1st section only with 28 pages, light toning and some wear at the margins, generally good.
background: On July 24, 1937, i... See More
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
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
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
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
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
1963 Birmingham campaign... MLK...
Item #695982
May 21, 1963
THE DETROIT NEWS, May 21, 1963
* Birmingham campaign movement - Alabama
* Martin Luther King Jr. & Negro students protest
The front page has a one column heading: "Schools Bar 1,000 Negroes" with subhead: "Dr. King Plans Court Appeal in Birmingham" (see)
Complete with 40+ pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally in good cond... See More
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
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.
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
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
1957 "Little Rock Nine" Central High School...
Item #719207
September 11, 1957
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., September 11, 1957
* Little Rock Nine
* Negro students - Arkansas
* Central High School
* Gov. Orval Faubus disobeys
* re. Brown v. Board of Education
The top of the front page has a four column headline: "TROOPS WILL REMAIN AT ARKANSAS SCHOOL, GOV. FAUBUS ASSERTS" with subheads. (see images) This report concerns the Little Rock N... See More
Much on the Civil War... Civil War map of Acquia Creek...
Item #695307
June 01, 1861
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 1, 1861
* Battle of Aquia Creek Civil War map
* Union Navy gunboats vs. Confederate batteries
* One of the first battles of the war
The format of this title at this time was advertisements on the front page with the wealth of Civil War reporting on inside pages.
The back page includes a Civil War map headed: "Acquia Creek and Its Environs" wit... 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
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
Kentucky slave was given freedom...
Item #685766
February 03, 1853
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 3, 1853 Page 3 has an article: "Slave Decision In Kentucky" which begins: "The Court of Appeals of Kentucky in a late case gave freedom to a slave under the following circumstances:..." which they offers the details.
Four pages, nice condition.
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
Captured slave ship... Mormons abandoning Utah... Bleeding Kansas...
Item #700532
July 10, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 10, 1857 Page 3 has 1 1/2 columns taken up with: "Gov. Walker & the South" which reports on the latest from "Bleeding Kansas".
Bleeding Kansas describes the period of repeated outbreaks of violent guerrilla warfare between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces following the creation of the new territory of Kansas in ... See More
1972 Southern University riot and shootings...
Item #691272
November 17, 1972
DAILY WORLD, Nov. 17, 1972
* The 1972 Southern University shooting
* African American - Negroes college
* Unfit campus conditions riot
* Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The front page has a nice headline: "DEPUTIES + DOGS + GAS = TWO STUDENTS DEAD" with lead-in: "Cops attack Black Campus" (see).
Complete with 12 pages, tabloid size, nice condition.... See More
1968 Martin Luther King Jr. benefit concert at MSG...
Item #703828
June 27, 1968
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, June 27, 1968
* Martin Luther king Jr. benefit concert
* Madison Square Garden advertisement
* Aretha Franklin - Sonny & Cher and more
* "Mr. Bojangles" song release - Jerry Jeff Walker
The back page has a 6 x 4 inch advertisement for "Soul Together" benefit concert for Martin Luther King Jr.'s memorial f... See More
Father Divine pilgrimage... Promise Land...
Item #720732
August 21, 1936
THE KNICKERBOCKER PRESS, Albany, August 21, 1936
* Father Divine's pilgrimage
* African American spiritual leader
* International Peace Mission movement
The bottom of the front page has a three column heading: "Father Divine and His 'Harlem Angels' Ride to Heaven on a Steamboat Special" (see images)
Complete with 20 pages, light toning and as little wear at the ... See More
Second Battle of Bull Run...
Item #172606
September 13, 1862
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 13, 1862 The front page is taken up with a nearly full-figure print of "Major-General John Pope, Commanding the Army of Virginia" along with a biography of him.
Inside includes a full page with 2 prints of: "Manassas Junction...Scene of Several Recent Fights" which is the Second Battle of Bull Run; a full page with 3 prints of: &q... See More
1956 Clinton, Tennessee school integration crisis...
Item #722117
September 02, 1956
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Sept. 2, 1956
* "The Clinton 12" high school integration
* Clinton, Tennessee Negroes desegregation
* "Brown v. Board of Education" aftermath
The front page has a two column heading: "Tear Gas Routs Mob In Race-Torn Town" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with 30+ pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, sm... See More
Marianna, Florida Negro lynching... Claude Neal...
Item #670707
October 27, 1934
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, October 27, 1934
* Claude Neal Negro lynching
* Marianna, Jackson County, Florida
The front page has a one column heading: "Lynch Negro In Florida as Girl's Slayer" (see) First report coverage on the lynching of Claude Neal at Marianna, Florida
Complete with all 30 pages, rag edition in great condition. A few small binding holes along the spine.
... See More
Fort Pickens and Charleston...
Item #172532
December 28, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 28, 1861 The full front page is taken up with: "Union Refugees From Western Missouri Coming Into St. Louis". Other prints inside include: "Entrance to Fort Pickens, Facing Fort Barancas, After Two Days' Bombardment" "Northern Row of Guns at Fort Pickens..." "Bird's-Eye View of Fort Pickens During the Bombardme... See More
Tuscaloosa, Alabama negro lynching...
Item #569869
September 25, 1933
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, September 25, 1933
* Dennis Cross Negro lynching
* Tuscaloosa, Alabama
This 34 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 7: "TAKE ALABAMA NEGRO FROM HOME, KILL HIM" "Six Men shoot Tuscaloosan Out in Bail on Charges Made by White Woman"
Tells of the lynching of Negro Dennis Cross in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Other ... See More
Two front page Civil War maps...
Item #695274
February 13, 1862
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Feb. 13, 1862 A very graphic & displayable issue as the front page features not one but two Civil War maps, one captioned: "Albemarle Sound & the Point of Attack of the Federal Fleet", with related text, and the other headed: "Roanoke Island".
Both the first and last columns have nice stacks of Civil War headlines including: "VICTORY! ... See More
Nautical improvements...
Item #685681
February 17, 1798
THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, Feb. 17, 1798 An uncommon title which lasted only from Feb., 1798 thru June, 1799, during which time it was suspended for 6 months due to the death of the editor.
Mostly literary content but also: "Nautical Improvement" "Method of Obtaining & Preparing Tin in the Mines of Cornwall" "A Curious Anecdote of a Negro in France"... See More
Robert Kennedy mourned... Extradition sought for James Earl Ray...
Item #637751
June 10, 1968
THE RUSSELL DAILY NEWS, Russell, Kansas, June 10, 1968 The front page has a headline "Pilgrimages Continue at Grave -- Millions Mourn Kennedy". "The pilgrimage of mourners to the grave of Robert F. Kennedy continued today. More than 7,000 filed past the new white cross at Arlington National Cemetery before midday...". This tells of Mr. Kennedy's burial.
Also on the f... See More
Details of a slave case brought to trial...
Item #611282
October 26, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 26, 1848 The top of page 3 has an article: "Important Slave Case Decision" which begins: "The Case of Lewis Pierrie, alleged to be the slave of Robert Tilghman of New Orleans, came up again before Judge King..." followed by much detail concerning the case (see).
Four pages, nice condition.
Lincoln on Fremont's "emancipation proclamation"... Mormon troubles...
Item #702205
October 03, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1861
* President Abraham Lincoln
* General John C. Fremont
This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
The prime content would be the page 6 report: "The President and General Fremont's Proclamation--Correspondence Between Mr. Lincoln and Hon. J
... See More
Court decision concerning the infamous slave ship 'Wanderer'...
Item #700743
May 15, 1860
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 15, 1860 Page 2 has over half a column taken up with: "Decision On The Slave Trade" which deals with the rather infamous case of the slave ship 'Wanderer', about which much can be found online.
Four pages, large folio size, a bit irregular at the spine from disbinding, good condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded i... See More
White Bluff TN negro lynching...
Item #570105
November 05, 1935
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, November 5, 1935 This 52 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 37: " FIVE MEN LYNCH NEGRO ON TENNESSEE ROAD" "Man Accused of Slapping White Woman Is Taken From Officers in White Bluff Business Street"
This tells of the lynching of Baxter Ball in White Bluff, Tennessee.
Other news of the day throughout. Rag edition in great co... See More
Jackie Robinson's 1st MVP award....
Item #668715
November 19, 1949
LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., November 19, 1949
* Negro star Jackie Robinson
* NL baseball MVP award (1st report)
* 1st Negro to win - Brooklyn Dodgers
Page 11 has a one column heading: "Robinson Is Voted Most Valuable" (see) First report coverage on Jackie Robinson winning the NL baseball MVP award, the first black player so honored.
Other news, sports and advertise... See More
The Lemmon slave case in New York...
Item #688259
November 12, 1852
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 12, 1852 The top of the front page has: "Another route to The Pacific". But the primary article is at the top of page 3: "A Slave Case At New York."
This is the famous New York vs. Lemmon slave case, about which much can be found on the internet. Ultimately the decision mandated the release of eight slaves brought into... See More
Death of Zachary Taylor... Slave ads in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper...
Item #692763
July 19, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 19, 1850 Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Page 2 has 2 1/2 columns taken up with reports on the death of President Zachary Taylor, with column heads: "Official Proceedings Of The Cabinet Consequent Upon Gen. Taylor's Death".
Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Sla... See More
Jesse Owens as Ohio State track star...
Item #670681
June 23, 1935
THE NEW YORK TIMES, sport's section only, June 23, 1935
* Jesse Owens on the World stage
* Ohio State Buckeyes track star
* Leading candidate for Berlin Olympics
The front page of ths section has a one column heading: "OWENS REGISTERS FOUR-EVENT SWEEP" with subheads. (see) Coverage continues on page with photo. (see)
Other sporting news of the day. Complete sport's secti... See More
Black troops...
Item #176338
May 28, 1898
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 28, 1898 Full ftpg. shows: 'Comm. Winfield S. Schley on the Bridge of the ship 'Brooklyn' '. Nice fullpg. Remington print: 'Colored Troopers of the U.S. Cavalry Taking their Horses for a Dash into the Gulf' at Tampa, Florida. Nice fullpg. with 3 prints of the 'U.S. Regulars at Port Tampa, Florida'. Much more on the military i... See More
Many prints of the Civil War... Execution of a Negro soldier...
Item #172796
July 09, 1864
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 9, 1864 The front page has prints of: "Capt. J. Henry Sleeper, Commanding the 10th Massachusetts Battery" and "Sleeper's Battery" with a related article. Pages 2 & 3 have reports on the Civil War and includes a letter signed in type: Abraham Lincoln.
Other prints within include a full page: "General Grant's Campaign--T... See More
Building Ten Torpedo-Boats in 15 weeks...
Item #177385
March 31, 1906
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 31, 1906
Jesse Owens wins Olympic gold in Berlin...
Item #698755
August 03, 1936
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, August 3, 1936
* Jesse Owens 100-meter gold medal victory
* Olympic games in Berlin Germany
* In front of Adolph Hitler & Third Reich
The front page of the sports section has headlines on Jesse Owens' performance at the Berlin Olympics: "Missouri Girl Wins Heat In 11.4 Seconds; Owens Gains Title" "Jesse Owens Is Bright Star at Opening ... See More
On the constitutionality of laws against slave trade...
Item #683867
December 28, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 28, 1858 Page 2 has an article taking fully 1 1/2 columns headed: "Constitutionality of the Laws Against the African Slave Trade". Keep in mind that the importation of slaves had been outlawed since 1808.
Page 3 has: "Liberia and the Slave Trade".
Four pages, light damp stain at the top, good condition. The folder siz... See More
Covington TN lynching...
Item #570289
August 18, 1937
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, August 18, 1937 This 42 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 20: "TO HELL WITH LAW," SAYS LYNCHING MOB" "Six Masked Men Cow Sheriff in Tennessee and Hang Negro Slayer on Bridge".
This tells of the lynching of negro Albert Gooden in Covington, Tennessee.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning with minor margin wear, o... See More
Wiggins MS lynching...
Item #570292
November 22, 1938
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, November 22, 1938 This 48 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 14: "NEGRO YOUTH LYNCHED BY MISSISSIPPI MOB" "Seized After Alleged Attack on Woman, 74, at Wiggins".
This tells of the lynching of negro Wilder McGowan in Wiggins, Mississippi.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning with minor spine wear, otherwise in go... See More
The sinking of the "Maine"....
Item #177650
March 23, 1912
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 23, 1912
The front page of this issue is a photo of "A New Masterpiece For America."
This issue has an illustration of "The Issue" by Kemble and photos of "One Kind of Recall" which says that "Judge Thornton Massie, Attorney William Foster and Sheriff Lew Webb were shot down and killed in the county court-house at Hillsv... See More
Poplarville, MS lynching...
Item #575424
April 27, 1959
SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Springfield, Massachusetts, April 27, 1959
* Poplarville MS Mississippi
* Negro lynching - murder
This 20 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "FARMER SEES KIDNAPPING OF JAILED NEGRO" and "Estimates 8 to 10 Men in Miss. Raiding Party; Search Continues". This tells of the lynching of negro Mack Parker in Poplarville, Mis... See More
Vienna GA negro lynching...
Item #570104
September 29, 1935
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, September 29, 1935
* Lewis Harris negro lynching
* Vienna, Georgia
This 70+ page newspaper has one column headlines on page 2: "NEGRO LYNCHED IN GEORGIA" "Mob Hangs Man Accused of Drawing Gun on Sheriff"
Tells of the lynching of Lewis Harris in Vienna, Georgia.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning with... See More
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.
... See More
Slave ads in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper...
Item #689708
July 20, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 20, 1850 Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves! Slaves!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the ... 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
