Black Americana
Black Americana
Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America...
* Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America
Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the nice, attached fold-out map: "A Map showing the communication of the Lakes and the Rivers between Lake Superior and Slave Lake in North America."
The map shows the extreme western parts of Lake Superior and "Hud... See More
Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America...
The map shows the extreme western parts of Lake Superior and "Hudson's Bay", "Lake Winiping (now Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba)... See More
Death of Frederick Douglass...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 2, 1895 Certainly the prime content in this issue is not just the page 6 article: "Death of Frederick Douglass" which takes over three-quarters of the first column, but the related illustration of him appearing on page 4 which takes one-third of the page, captioned: "Frederick Douglass, Died Feb. 20, 1895" (see).
The full front page i... See More
Early notice on Gabriel's Rebellion... Creation of the Indiana Territory...
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Sept. 15, 1800
* re. the creation of the state of Indiana
* Gabriel Prosser's slave insurrection
Page 3 has a brief & early report on Gabriel's Rebellion,
It notes: "An insurrection was discovered on the 30th alt. among the negroes in the neighborhood of Richmond, Vir. and some of them are lodged in the gaol [jail] of that city... See More
Homer print... Nast Emmancipation illustration... Slave auction...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 24, 1863 This issue contains a fine centerfold by Thomas Nast: "The Emancipation of the Negroes, January, 1863--The Past and the Future" with several vignettes. This also has an accompanying article which explains the illustration and references the famous Mr. Pierce M. Butler slave auction which took place on March 2-3, 1859 outside of Savann... See More
First appearance together of the Democratic donkey & Republican elephant...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 27, 1879 An ideal issue for any political junkie as it contains the famous Thomas Nast print with the first appearance together of the Republican elephant & Democratic donkey. Thomas Nast was the creator of these two famous political symbols making this a very significant print. The caption reads: "Stranger Things Have Happened."
The ba... See More
Winslow Homer print... "The Noon Recess"... The Modoc War...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 28, 1873 Two-thirds of the ftpg. is an illustration: "The Modoc War-Captain Jack's Cave in the Lava Beds."
Inside has a full page illustration of "The Modocs-Murder of General Canby" but perhaps the prime feature is a full page print by Winslow Homer: "The Noon Recess".
Also in this issue is a full page: "Way ... See More
Lovejoy's famous "Barbarism of Slavery" speech in the House...
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, April 17, 1860 Page 4 has a report beginning: "The speech of Owen Lovejoy of Illinois...in exposure and reprehension of human slavery, with the profane, ruffianly & murderous interjections by which its delivery was interrupted, will be found on another page..." with much more editorial commentary.
This very famous speech is found on page 7 headed:... See More
First of this title we have encountered...
ALEXANDRIA DAILY GAZETTE COMMERCIAL & POLITICAL, Virginia, July 13, 1812
* Very rare 19th century American publication
A very scarce title, in fact we believe this is the first we have encountered it. There are no issues of this date recorded in Brigham outside of the American Antiquarian Society.
The masthead features an engraving of George Washington.
Pages 1 and 4 are f... See More
Death and obituary of Shirley Chisholm...
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, January 4, 2005
* Death of Shirley Chisholm
* 1st African American Woman elected to the United States Congress
Page 10 of Section B has a half-page report on the death and obituary of "Shirley Chisholm, 80: Ran for President, Served 13 Years in Congress." She was the first African-American to be elected to the United States Congress; and in 1972 the ... See More
Daniel Webster’s historically pivotal speech...
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 8, 1850
* His historic call for unity before Congress
Starting on page 2 and continuing on pages 3 and 4 is the full text of Daniel Webster's pivotal, historic, "March 7th Speech" before Congress. An excerpt include... See More
Rare mention of the 'Mormon Battalion' during the Mexican War...
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, March 20, 1847 Near the top of an inside page has a brief yet notable report: "Letters received also state that Col. Cook and the Mormon battalion were 350 miles beyond Santa Fe. They were generally in good health and progressing slowly."
This is a very rare mention of the 'Mormon Battalion', which was the only religious unit in U.S... See More
Winslow Homer's "Spring Blossoms"... Black man tending his garden...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, May 21, 1870 The front page shows a black man tending his garden: 'A Spring Scene Near Richmond, Va.' Full page 'Population of an Indian Village Moving'. Illustration of 'William Lloyd Garrison', publisher of The Liberator. Also illustration of: 'Lucretia Mott', the early feminist. Full page Winslow Homer: 'Spring Blossoms'. A fullpage i... See More
Landmark event in women's history: former woman slave petitions as an heir to her brother's estate...
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 29, 1817 In 1818 a woman named Pamela Sparhawk petitioned the Mass. General Court to be recognized as heir to her brother’s estate.
What makes this remarkable? Pamela Sparhawk was a formerly enslaved Black woman.
Pamela separated from her brother in childhood. After more than a decade of bondage in Boston and nearby Newton, she was determined to build a life of
This historic Emancipation Proclamation... Winslow Homer print...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 17, 1863 Certainly the most historic content would be the page 2 complete printing of: "By the President of the United States of America - A Proclamation" which is the full text of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed in type by the President: Abraham Lincoln.
Half of the front page: "The Teamsters' Duel" showing two Black men ... See More
Two slave prints from 1861... More prints and articles on America...
THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, April 6, 1861 Most of a page is taken up with a print: "The Dandy Slave: A Scene in Baltimore, Md." and "Slaves For Sale: A Scene in New Orleans", both showing slaves dressed in formal attire.
A related article: "The Dandy Slave" begins: "Whenever a negro can afford it, he dresses well, sometimes quietly and in good ta... See More
Winslow Homer print: "On The Beach at Long Branch--The Children's Hour"...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 15, 1874
* Famous Winslow Homer print
The front page features a print: "Scandal" with a related article.
The prime print in this issue is certainly the very nice full page by noted artist Winslow Homer, titled: "On The Beach at Long Branch--The Children's Hour". But other prints within this issue include a half page: "A Negr... See More
Winslow Homer's "Spring Blossoms"... Black man tending his garden...
(usually offered at a higher price) HARPER'S WEEKLY, May 21, 1870 (includes the Dicken's Supplement)
* Winslow Homer illustration
The most sought after prints within this issue are Winslow Homer's full-page: "Spring Blossoms" and the front-page: "A Spring Scene Near Richmond, Va.", which shows a black man tending his garden. This issue also has the uncommon Di... See More
Landmark event in women's history: former slave woman petitions as an heir to her brother's estate...
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 22, 1817
* Former Woman slave Pamela Sparhawk
* Newton, Massachusetts petition for estate
In 1818 a woman named Pamela Sparhawk petitioned the Mass. General Court to be recognized as heir to her brother’s estate.
What makes this remarkable? Pamela Sparhawk was a formerly enslaved Black woman.
Pamela separated from her brother in childhood... See More
George Armstrong Custer takes the entire front page... African-American soldiers...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 19, 1864 The entire front page is taken up with a great print captioned: "Brigadier General George A. Custer" showing him leading a charge on horseback brandishing his sword. There is a related article inside.
Other prints within include a full page of: "Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick"; a full page: "Map of the Rebellion As ... See More
Lengthy relating to the trial of John Brown: he is sentenced to hang on December 2...
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 3, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Sentenced to death (hanging)
* Harpers Ferry, West Virginia WV
Page 2 has 3 1/2 columns taken up with: "A Further Installment of Documents From Capt. Brown's Carpet-Bag" which is a long list of various documents which will be relevant during his trial.
This... See More
Winslow Homer print: "On The Beach at Long Branch--The Children's Hour"...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 15, 1874 The front page features a print: "Scandal" with a related article.
The prime print in this issue is certainly the very nice full page by noted artist Winslow Homer, titled: "On The Beach at Long Branch--The Children's Hour". But other prints within this issue include a half page: "A Negro Fight In South America"... See More
Great slave auction print... Winslow Homer print...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 13, 1861 The front page features: "Battle of Boonville, Missouri" and smaller illustrations of: "Brigadier-General Lyon, U.S.A." and "The late Captain Ward".
Inside prints include a full page: "The Cabinet at Washington" showing Abraham Lincoln and the others. Also featured is a full page Winslow Homer print: "Crew o... See More
Rare mention of the Underground Railroad...
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Oct. 6, 1854
* Slavery - slaves - pre-Civil War tensions
* Rare "Underground Railroad" mention
The bottom of page 4 has small report with a rare mention of the Underground Railroad.
Because it was a secretive operation it is very difficult to find period accounts of its operation.
This article, from Lowville, New York, specifically has "underground r... See More
Brigham Young... Homer print...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 3, 1859 Nice front page article and illustration: "Interview Between Brigham Young and Hon. Horace Greeley at Salt Lake City".
Inside has two gambling-themed illustrations; a very nice full page Winslow Homer print: "A Cadet Hop At West Point". Also a half page illustration: "The New Orleans Charity Hospital" along with two smalle... See More
John Rock - first African-American admitted to practice before the Supreme Court...
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, New York, Feb. 7, 1865
* Abolitionist John Rock "black is beautiful"
* First African American admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States
The back page has historic coverage from the Tribune's Washington correspondent datelined Feb. 1, 1865: "FROM WASHINGTON - The Dred Scott Decision Buried in the Supreme Court - A... See More
The slave Robert Smalls... CSS Planter... A Winslow Homer centerfold...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 14, 1862 Perhaps the most notable print (with related text) is that of: "Robert Smalls, Captain of the Gun Boat 'Planter' " which includes a related article as well. As Wikipedia notes, Robert Smalls was an enslaved African American who freed himself, his crew and their families from slavery by commandeering a Confederate transport ... See More
Confederates create their own Constitution... Jeff Davis elected President...
NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 11, 1861
* Confederate Constitution creation
* Rebel President Jefferson Davis
The top of the front page has: "The Southern Confederacy" "Important Action of the Congress at Montgomery" "Adoption & Copy of the Constitution" "Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, Elected President" "Alex. H. Stephe... See More
Rare reference to the 'Mormon Battalion' during the Mexican War... The slave trade... The Oregon Treaty with England...
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Aug. 15, 1846
* Mormons Battalion - Mormonism
* Only U.S. military religious unit ever
* Mexican-American War
The top of the back page has a very notable report: "Mormon Volunteers" being a brief item noting: "Capt...Allen has reached Fort Leavenworth with 500 Mormon volunteer infantry. They proceed forthwith to join Gen. Kear... See More
Lincoln accepts the Republican nomination...
NEW-YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, May 22, 1860
* Abraham Lincoln accepts the nomination for President
The last column of the front page has very nice heads: "THE CHICAGO CONVENTION" "The Presidency" "The Struggle Between Seward and Lincoln" "LINCOLN NOMINATED For President" "Only Three Ballotings Had" "The Vice-Presidency" &... See More
Battle of Port Hudson in a rare Confederate title...
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Jackson, Mississippi, March 16, 1863
* Very rare Confederate title
* Battle of Port Hudson
If the title and city of publication seem to be in conflict, they are not. This newspaper had a fascinating history during the Civil War. Memphis was a Confederate stronghold up through the Battle of Memphis on June 6, 1862, at which time the Yankees moved in and it bec... See More
Harrison wins the election: in a Washington, D.C. newspaper...
THE GLOBE, Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, 1840
* William Henry Harrison
* Presidential election victory
Perhaps there can be no better newspaper to report a Presidential election than one from the nation's capital.
Page 3 begins with: "The Election" "It becomes our duty to announce to the public that we have received returns of the elections in a sufficient number of the stat... See More
Lincoln accepts the nomination... More on Lincoln... Slave captures...
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, June 12, 1860
* Abraham Lincoln accepts the nomination for President
The front page contains Lincoln's acceptance of the Republican nomination, prefaced with the letter from George Ashimun telling Lincoln he won the nomination. Following this is Lincoln's letter of acceptance beginning: "I accept the nomination tendered me by Conven... See More
Denver print... Card-playing in New Mexico... Walt Whitman's views of literature...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 23, 1887 The entire ftpg. is a print by R. F. Zogbaum captioned: "The Prairie Letter Box" showing a cowboy on horseback dropping a letter in a mail box.
Other prints in this issue including a fullpg. with 5 vignettes of: "The Celebration of the Columbia College Centennial"; two-thirds of a page with 3 prints on: "The Great Fire a... See More
Enforcing the historic Fifteenth Amendment...
NEW YORK HERALD, May 22 and June 1, 1870 Sold as a pair of issues. Page 3 of the May 22 issue has the heading: "WASHINGTON" "The New Fifteenth Amendment Bill Passed by the Senate" "Petitions for the Abolition of National Banks". This is actually the 1870 Enforcement Act, created to enforce the proper enforcement of the historic 15th Amendment to the Consti... See More
The Monitor versus the Merrimac... Lincoln's strategy for emancipation...
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE March 15, 1862
* Abraham Lincoln on Emancipation
* Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack (CSS Virginia)
A wonderful issue on the historic naval battle between the Monitor & the Merrimack, with much on other war reports as well.
The front page has a nice Civil War map: "Field Of Operations On the Potomac" with related reports as well as: "Captu... See More
The slave ship Amistad... The birth of photography...
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 28, 1839 Inside has a lengthy & historic two page article headed: "The Slaves Of The Amistad" being a detailed account of their trial in Hartford, including subheads "Affidavit of Bahoo" with his "X" signature mark; "Afternoon" and: "Decision of Judge Thompson". An excellent & detailed article, only portions of which are shown in the ph... See More
Baseball, including a portrait of Lipman Pike? When "Uncle Tom" was not an insult...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, Nov. 3, 1866 Very nice full ftpg. shows a Black man & his grandchild: 'Uncle Tom & His Grandchild'. Nice fullpg. has 2 scenes of: 'View of the City & Harbor of Quebec', one after the great fire. Another halfpg. view of: 'St. Roch, Quebec'. Great fullpg. baseball print: 'The Atlantic Baseball Club of Brooklyn, & the Athletics of... See More
The slave ship Amistad... The birth of photography...
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 28, 1839
Inside has a lengthy & historic two page article headed: "The Slaves Of The Amistad" being a detailed account of their trial in Hartford, including subheads "Affidavit of Bahoo" with his "X" signature mark; "Afternoon" and: "Decision of Judge Thompson". An excellent & detailed article, only portions of which are shown in the photos.
A... See More
With the plate of the Juniata River...
Among the various articles are: "A Description of the River Juniatta" "An Account of the Foundation of New Smyrna in Florida & a Remarkable Insurrection in that Settlement" "... See More
Gov. Brownlow offers a reward for the captuure of the former governor...
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, May 10, 1865
* Very rare Civil War title - closing events
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
W. G. Brownlow, or Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned t... See More
Jackie Robinson' & Hank Greenberg debut in the Major Leagues...
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 16, 1947
* Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier
The sports page has a report on the Jackie Robinson's debut in the Major League regular season. He had made a public debut game on April 11th, however that was a pre-season game.
The top of page 33 has a one column heading: "ROBINSON FAILS AT PLATE, BUT DODGERS WIN, 5-3" with subhead: "... See More
Two slave prints from 1861...
THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Apr. 6, 1861
* Great slave auction illustration
* Pre Civil War South - rare
Most of a page is taken up with a print: "The Dandy Slave: A Scene in Baltimore, Md." and "Slaves For Sale: A Scene in New Orleans", both showing slaves dressed in formal attire. A related article: "The Dandy Slave" begins: "Whenever a n... See More
One of the more fascinating publishers from the Civil War...
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, Jan. 25, 1865
* Very rare Civil War title - final months
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
W. G. Brownlow, or Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson tur... See More
Journey to Salt Lake City... Verdict in the famous slave case...
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 1852 Taking over 1 1/2 columns on page 2 is the very detailed: "Captain Stansbury's Expedition To The Great Salt Lake". This is a wonderful account of the journey, about which much can be found on the internet. The subheads include: "From the Literary World" "A Dutchman en Route" "A Happy Family on... See More
First American newspaper publication of a Sherlock Holmes story...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 14, 1893 The prime content is certainly the 2+ page publication of: "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Adventures of the Card-Board Box" by Arthur Conan Doyle. This was the very first appearance of a Sherlock Holmes story in any American periodical. Note that above the masthead is: "A Story By S. Conan Doyle, Complete In This Num... See More
Two Winslow Homer winter-themed prints...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 14, 1860 Inside has two very nice, full-page & displayable prints: "The Sleighing Season--The Upset" and "A Snow Slide in the City", both by famed artist Winslow Homer.
Another full page shows: "The Emperor and Empress of France Hunting at Compiegne". The back page has two cartoon illustrations.
Complete in 16 pages, goo... See More
Jeff Davis' address, and much more...
WESTERN SENTINEL, Winston, North Carolina, January 23, 1863 This is a very rare title from the Confederacy. According to Brigham only four institutions in the United States have any holdings of this title from the Civil War, most just a few scattered issues. The American Antiquarian Society has no issues recorded from this era.
The front page includes some items relating to the Civil War in... See More
Ben Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton...
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, September, 1789 The first article takes over a full page and is titled: "Description of Charles River Bridge". The plate called for is not present.
Other articles include: "Marriage Ceremonies Among the Tschouwasches, a Finnish Nation"; the conclusion to the article: "The Way to Wealth" signed in type: Richard Saunders (pen name of Benjami
Two Famous Remington prints...
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Feb. 2, 1889 The full front page is an illustration by Remington of "Hunting the Prong Horn Antelope in California." Inside is a 1/4 pg. portrait of "Hon. W. D. Washburn, the Newly Elected United States Senator from Minnesota"; a half page of "Destruction of a Derelict by a United States Naval Cruiser." The doublepage centerfold is: &quo... See More























































