Black Americana
Black Americana
Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America...
Item #675444
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1790 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 "Hudson's Bay", "Lake Winiping (now Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba)... See More
Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America...
Item #689565
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1790 * 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
Earliest use of the term 'underground railroad' we have discovered...
Item #684244
August 28, 1850
SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, New York, Aug. 28, 1850
* Slavery - slaves - pre-Civil War tensions
* Rare "Underground Railroad" mention
The front page has an article: "From The Plains" which is a great letter concerning those traveling across the country, including Mormons heading to Utah. A few bits include: "The Gold Diggers have all disappeared among the Black Hills... See More
Frederick Douglass in The Atlantic Monthly...
Item #688823
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, December, 1866 & January, 1867 (2 issue set) * Frederick Douglass & Civil War reconstruction
* Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage
* Urging for black Americans the right to vote
The December 1866 has the beginning of a 2 part speech of Frederick Douglass appealing to Congress for impartial suffrage. The speech is concluded in the Januar... See More
Homer print... Nast Emmancipation illustration... Slave auction...
Item #172644
January 24, 1863
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
Henderson, Kentucky, from the Civil War...
Item #682760
December 11, 1862
HENDERSON WEEKLY REPORTER, Kentucky, Dec. 11, 1862
* Very rare publication
* Neutral stance to Civil War
From a state that chose to be neutral during the Civil War but remained a part of the Union, there were, as a result, supporters of both sides. This newspaper, judging by its reporting and other content, seems to have remained neutral.
The front page begins with over 2 columns tak... See More
First appearance together of the Democratic donkey & Republican elephant...
Item #174414
December 27, 1879
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...
Item #173734
June 28, 1873
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
Confederate newspaper from Grenada, Mississippi...
Item #698990
September 19, 1862
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Grenada, Mississippi, Sept. 19, 1862
* Very Rare Confederate title from the "traveling" newspaper
* Memphis newspaper printed in Grenada, Mississippi
If the title and city of publication seem to disagree, they do not. This newspaper had a fascinating history during the Civil War. Memphis was a Confederate stronghold up through the Battle of Memphis ... See More
"Memphis" newspaper printed in Atlanta, Georgia... Jefferson Davis' stirring address to his soldiers...
Item #680889
February 14, 1864
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Atlanta, Georgia, Feb. 14, 1864
* Very rare Confederate title
* Publisher on the run
See the bottom of this listing for the fascinating history of this newspaper.
Among the front page items are: "President Davis' Address to the Army" which is rather lengthy & signed in type: Jefferson Davis. This is a very nice, rousing address to his sold... See More
George Armstrong Custer takes the entire front page... African-American soldiers...
Item #172764
March 19, 1864
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
First of this title we have encountered...
Item #687407
July 13, 1812
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
Rare mention of the 'Mormon Battalion' during the Mexican War...
Item #697647
March 20, 1847
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...
Item #173410
May 21, 1870
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
Death and obituary of Shirley Chisholm...
Item #680040
January 04, 2005
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
Guerrilla raider John Hunt Morgan escapes from jail...
Item #690163
January 14, 1864
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Atlanta, Georgia, January 14, 1864
* John Morgan escapes jail
* Guerrilla raider leader
* Very rare Confederate title
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... See More
Winslow Homer print: "On The Beach at Long Branch--The Children's Hour"...
Item #698447
August 15, 1874
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...
Item #696789
May 21, 1870
(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
This historic Emancipation Proclamation... Winslow Homer print...
Item #172642
January 17, 1863
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
The Monitor versus the Merrimac... Lincoln's strategy for emancipation...
Item #689605
March 15, 1862
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE March 15, 1862
* Abraham Lincoln on Emancipation
* Battle of Hampton Roads, Virginia
* Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack (CSS Virginia)
* Civil War ironclads
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 th... See More
Rare mention of the Underground Railroad...
Item #704445
October 06, 1854
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Oct. 6, 1854 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 railroad" noted in the text under the heading: "Fugitive Slaves--Bears", reading: &qu... See More
Brigham Young... Homer print...
Item #172290
September 03, 1859
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
Lengthy relating to the trial of John Brown: he is sentenced to hang on December 2...
Item #689629
November 03, 1859
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"...
Item #173852
August 15, 1874
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
Rare reference to the 'Mormon Battalion' during the Mexican War... The slave trade... The Oregon Treaty with England...
Item #688634
August 15, 1846
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
Creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #704193
THE UNIVERSAL ASYLUM & COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, February, 1791 * First Bank of the United States creation
Certainly the most notable content is at the back where is found a significant report headed: Congress of the United States" with the text of the creation of the Bank of the United States.
It is titled: "An Act to Incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of ... See More
Gov. Brownlow offers a reward for the captuure of the former governor...
Item #706880
May 10, 1865
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
Famous Thomas Sims fugitive slave case... Sara Jane Lippencott...
Item #695944
April 10, 1851
THE NATIONAL ERA, Washington, D.C., April 10, 1851
* Rare abolitionism publication
* Fugitive slave Thomas Sims
* Reformist Sara Jane Lippencott
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,... See More
1960 Greenville Eight library sit-in... Jesse Jackson...
Item #695933
July 17, 1960
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 17, 1960
* Greenville Eight - South Carolina
* African American students protest
* Library sit-in w/ Jesse Jackson
* Civil Rights movement
The top of page 19 has a brief and somewhat discrete report with a small one column heading: "Sitdown In A Library", with subhead: "Negroes Combat Segregation in South Carolina City". See images for a first... See More
Battle of Port Hudson in a rare Confederate title...
Item #676072
March 16, 1863
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...
Item #687962
November 09, 1840
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
Report here is a focus of a Smithsonian Channel episode...
Item #679345
March 05, 1864
DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, March 5, 1864
* Colonel Ulric Dahlgren Affair
* Failed raid on Richmond
* Secret papers found on Dahlgren's body
* American Civil War - Jefferson Davis
There is an intriguing story within the front page reports recently brought to fore in an episode of "America's Hidden Stories" on the Smithsonian Channel.
The intrigue is about ... See More
Baseball, including a portrait of Lipman Pike? When "Uncle Tom" was not an insult...
Item #173038
November 03, 1866
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
Enforcing the historic Fifteenth Amendment...
Item #688450
May 22, 1870
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
Denver print... Card-playing in New Mexico... Walt Whitman's views of literature...
Item #175180
April 23, 1887
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
One of the more fascinating publishers from the Civil War...
Item #692493
May 28, 1864
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, May 28, 1864
* Very rare Civil War publication
* 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 to the press... See More
With the plate of the Juniata River...
Item #667449
THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, August, 1788 This title has the honor of being the first successful American magazine, having begun in September, 1786 and lasting until December, 1792.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
Jackie Robinson' & Hank Greenberg debut in the Major Leagues...
Item #701524
April 16, 1947
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...
Item #690330
April 06, 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
Rare issue of this Confederate "Memphis" newspaper printed in Atlanta, Georgia...
Item #683360
January 16, 1864
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 16, 1864 See the bottom of this listing for the fascinating history of this newspaper.
The front page includes: "General Morgan and his Movements" "A Brave Missouri Boy" "Cheering the Trans-Mississippi People" "Brilliant Affair in Fanquier" "Capture of a Yankee Train & Yankees" "... See More
The slave Robert Smalls... A Winslow Homer centerfold...
Item #172580
June 14, 1862
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
Journey to Salt Lake City... Verdict in the famous slave case...
Item #688258
November 04, 1852
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
Jeff Davis' address, and much more...
Item #697226
January 23, 1863
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
First American newspaper publication of a Sherlock Holmes story...
Item #175778
January 14, 1893
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...
Item #172328
January 14, 1860
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
Black soldiers... Famous Frederic Remington print...
Item #175430
September 14, 1889
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 14, 1889 Front full pg. illus. of "Back from Paris - Passing the Ordeal of the Custom House Inspectress." Inside are two full pg. illus. of "The Proposed Inwood Site for the International Exposition of 1892 - Viewed from Fort George" and "The proposed Site at Oak and Barretto Points on the Sound for the International Expositio... See More
Great slave auction print... Winslow Homer print...
Item #172484
July 13, 1861
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
Two Famous Remington prints...
Item #175366
February 02, 1889
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
Jesse James & the Rock Island Railroad robbery...
Item #689667
July 19, 1881
BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, July 19, 1881
* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery
* Winston, Daviess County, Missouri
Page 2 begins with a quite lengthy account of what was the infamous Rock Island Railroad robbery by the James Gang.
It is headed: "The Great Train Robbery" and begins: "Charles Murray...was the messenger of the U.S. Expres... See More
John Brown... Paul Du Chaillu's discovery of gorillas...
Item #172310
November 12, 1859
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 12, 1859 Two ftpg. prints show: "The Prisoner (John) Brown & His Boston Counsel" and another showing John Brown at "The Arraignment" plus an article: "Will John Brown be Hanged?"
Inside has a very nice fullpg. scene: "The Trial of John Brown for Treason & Murder" plus a lengthy related article. 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.