Black Americana
Black Americana
Very first of the advice column newspapers...
Item #698149
March 04, 1692
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, March 4, 1692 This was the very first of the "agony aunt" newspapers, a newspaper providing personal advice to its readers.
In creating this format of responding to questions from readers, the publisher, John Dunton, did so as a result of feeling guilty for cheating on his wife. He thought that people like himself might appreciate confiding in a stran... See More
Death of Martin Luther King, Jr...
Item #688608
April 06, 1968
THE PRATT TRIBUNE, Kansas, April 6, 1968
* Martin Luther King Jr. assassination (2nd report)
* America riots - protests - racial violence
The top of the front page has a three column headline: "Troops Ordered To Protect Capital" Also on the front page is another three column heading: "Nation's Cities Threatened By Wave Of Racial Violence" More on the back ... See More
Tuskegee Airmen honored at museum...
Item #690315
September 26, 1982
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 26, 1982
* Tuskegee Airmen honored w/ opneing
* African American pilots of WWII
* National Air and Space Museum exhibit
* 1982 Wilkes-Barre shootings
* George Banks spree killings
The top of page 33 has a two column heading: "Museum Exhibit Traces Blacks' Role in Aviation" with related pictorial. (see) First report coverage on the "Black Wings... See More
The fugitive slave case of Bill Fisher...
Item #692805
July 27, 1853
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, July 27, 1853
* Fugitive Slave Case
* Bill Fisher
The front page has: "The Fugitive Slave Case--The Health of the City, etc." being the slave case of Bill Fisher. This report takes three-quarters of a column and includes: "...as soon as the marshal drove off with the slave, a number of them followed the carriage. The friends of the slave will follo... See More
University of Georgia integration in 1961...
Item #676181
January 12, 1961
THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 12, 1961
* Charlayne Hunter-Gault & Hamilton Holmes
* University of Georgia 1st African-American students
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "GEORGIA STUDENTS RIOT ON CAMPUS; TWO NEGROES OUT" with subhead and photo of Hunter-Gault leaving campus. Coverage continues on page 20 with another photo of Hunter-Gault sitting in a cla... See More
General Fremont... his bridge... his march... Hampton Roads...
Item #172520
November 16, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 16, 1861 Full front page is a print captioned: "Last Meeting Between General Scott and the Cabinet" which shows Lincoln among them.
Other prints inside include: "The Great Expedition--General Sherman Giving His Final Orders to His Brigadier-Generals on Board the 'Wabash' " "Consultation Between General Viele & the ... See More
Many Civil War related prints...
Item #172466
May 11, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 11, 1861 The front page has prints of: "Colonel Ellsworth of the Fire Zouaves" and "Colonel Wilson of Wilson's Brigade" with related text.
Inside has many war-related prints including: "View of Fort McHenry, Baltimore" "The Burning of the Bridge at Canton, Maryland, by the Mob" "The Rendezvous of the Virgini... See More
On vegetarians... Fugitive Slave... Traveling to California...
Item #692177
July 06, 1850
THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, (Greensboro), North Carolina, July 6, 1850 Rarely are we able to secure antebellum newspapers from this city.
This issue is chock full of interesting articles, a few on the front page including: "Effects of a Vegetable Diet" which is a curious item with refutations from "...a beef-eating German..."; "Milwaukie" [Milwaukee] which conce... See More
Harper Lee court case... "To Kill A Mockingbird" under fire...
Item #673844
January 16, 1966
THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 16, 1966 (1st section only)
* Harper Lee, author of To Kill A Mockingbird joins court case
* Kasturba Gandhi tries to win leadership roll in India
Page 82 contains the heading: "Harper Lee Twits School Board in Virginia for Ban on Her Novel", followed by an explanation on how she humiliated the school board saying, "To hear the novel is immora... See More
News from Hood's operations...
Item #697662
October 19, 1864
THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Oct. 19, 1864
* Rare Confederate publication
* Origin of the American Civil War
Among the front page reports on the Civil War are: "The News of Hood's Operations" "Letter from Richmond" "From the Valley - Camp near New Market" "Interesting from the North" "Mobile and Charleston" and more.
Some war... See More
Considerable detail on the slave ship Haidee...
Item #683977
October 05, 1858
NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 5, 1858 The ftpg. has: "The Montauk Point Mystery Explained" "A New York Slave-Ship Scuttled Off Long Island" "Nine Hundred Slaves Landed by the Haidee in Cuba" "Arrest of the Mate and Five of the Crew--Description of the Ship" with the text taking over a full column.
It mentions in part: "...that the Haidee was fitted out at... See More
Early from the capital of Florida...
Item #671841
October 14, 1854
THE FLORIDIAN AND JOURNAL, Tallahassee, Florida, Oct. 14, 1854
* Rare pre-Civil War publication
A nice & uncommon opportunity for a very early newspaper from the capital of Florida.
Very rarely are we able to find antebellum Florida newspapers, particularly from the capital. Formatted much like other newspapers of the day with various news reports both local & national, and a ... See More
Martin Luther King Jr. is arrested...
Item #696026
August 11, 1962
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Aug. 11, 1962
* Albany Georgia civil rights rally - prayer
* Martin Luther King Jr. arrest and jail release
The top of page 6 has a one column heading: "NEGROES GET PROBATION IN GA. PROTESTS" with subhead. (see)
Complete with 30 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
wikipedia notes: The Albany Movement was a desegregatio... See More
Bobby Grier breaks Sugar Bowl color barrier...
Item #696507
December 03, 1956
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Dec. 3, 1956
* Bobby Grier breaks color barrier
* 1956 Sugar Bowl classic
* Georgia Tech vs. Pitt
The top of page 23 has a two column heading: "Tainted Tech Tally Beats Pitt Team, 7-0" with subhead and lineups. (see) Other major bowl games reported as well.
Complete with all 28 pages, light toning at the margins,
nice condition.
wikiedpia notes... See More
"Cabin in the Sky" premiere review....
Item #661458
October 26, 1940
THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 26, 1940
* Cabin in the Sky 1st review
* Broadway musical w/ Ethel Waters
This 36 page newspaper has the very 1st review of the all black cast Broadway musical "Cabin in the Sky"
Page 19 has a heading: "Ethel Waters Heads Players of 'Cabin in the Sky,' a Musical Fantasy With a Negro Cast" with photo of Waters and list of cast (see ima... See More
Academy Award winners 1964...
Sidney Poitier wins... 1st black male...
Item #688591
April 14, 1964
LEOMINSTER ENTERPRISE, Mass., April 14, 1964
* Sidney Poitier wins Best Actor Oscar
*1st African American male to win an Academy Award
Near the bottom front page is a two column heading: "Poitier, Neal, 'tom Jones' Receive Academy Awards" (see) Sidney Poitier, who came from very humble beginnings, was the 1st African American man to win an Academy Award. Quite historic.
... See More
Mordecai Noah & his plans for a Jewish refuge in America...
Item #683320
January 29, 1820
NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 29, 1820
* Mordecai Manuel Noah
* Jewish homeland on the Niagara River
Inside has over 2 pages taken up with: "The Slave Question" as it relates to the on-going Missouri Compromise debate.
Another page has: "The Jews" which concerns the famed Mordecai Noah, considered the first American-born Jew to rise to national promi... See More
Mordecai Noah & his plans for a Jewish refuge in America...
Item #683319
January 29, 1820
NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 29, 1820
* Mordecai Manuel Noah
* Jewish homeland on the Niagara River
Inside has over 2 pages taken up with: "The Slave Question" as it relates to the on-going Missouri Compromise debate.
Another page has: "The Jews" which concerns the famed Mordecai Noah, considered the first American-born Jew to rise to national prominence.... See More
University of Michigan prints from 1887...
Item #616767
July 09, 1887
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 9, 1887
* University of Michigan - U-M
* Ann Arbor buildings prints
Nice, tipped-in double page centerfold: "The University Of Michigan, At Ann Arbor" features 9 illustrations of the notable buildings on the campus, including: "The Library" "The Museum" "The Medical School" "The School Of Dentistry"... See More
First African-American in the House of Representatives...
Item #693452
March 01, 1869
THE PRESS, Philadelphia, March 1, 1869
* 1st African American to make speech in Congress
John Willis Menard has the distinction of being the first African-American to be elected to the House of Representatives, representing Louisiana, and consequently on February 27 he became the first to address the chamber.
* 1st African American to make speech in Congress
John Willis Menard has the distinction of being the first African-American to be elected to the House of Representatives, representing Louisiana, and consequently on February 27 he became the first to address the chamber.
The back page is mostly taken up with reports from Congress & includ
... See More
A slave map of Georgia...
Item #172528
December 14, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 14, 1861 The entire front page is taken up with: "A Chart Map Of Georgia, Showing The Percentage of Slaves In Each County." Inside has a full page with seven: "Scenes in & Around Beaufort, South Carolina"; another page has 3 prints of: "The Stone Fleet on its Way to the Southern Coast"; a full page with 3 prints: "... See More
Capture of the slave ship "Brothers"... California gold... Indian Wars...
Item #678328
November 15, 1858
THE NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 15, 1858 The 1st column of page two has: "Arrival of Another Captured Slaver at Charleston", which tells of the capture of the slave ship 'Brothers". Another related article providing additional details is found on page 4.
Page 2 also has: "Our California Correspondence - A Visit to Fraser River - The Gold Diggings and the Yield of the Preci... See More
Slave ads in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper...
Item #684378
July 30, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 30, 1850 Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the front 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 city... See More
Lengthy on the trial of John Brown...
Item #689626
October 31, 1859
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 31, 1859 Page 2 has nearly 3 columns taken up with: "The Harper's Ferry Conspiracy--Trial of Captain Brown" with very detailed, verbatim testimony.
Page 3 has two related articles: "The Harper's Ferry Trials" and: "Gerrit Smith and Capt. Brown" as seen in the photos.
This insurrection was an effort b... See More
Three slave ads in an antebellum newspaper...
Item #688471
March 14, 1859
THE MEMPHIS DAILY AVALANCHE, Tennessee, March 14, 1859 From not long before the Civil War containing on the front page 2 illustrated ads for slaves, with details. One notes: "For Sale...A no. 1 cook and laundress..."; and the other "Valuable Plantation and Negroes..." with details. Another reward ad inside.
Four pages, cleanly cut at the spine with ample margin, tears at... See More
Ada Lois Sipuel vs. Supreme Court ruling...
Item #590469
January 13, 1948
THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 13, 1948
* Ada Lois Sipuel - Supreme Court ruling (1st report)
* Sipuel v. Board of Regents of University of Oklahoma
* Law school for African Americans
This 52 page newspaper has a two column headline near the bottom of the front page: "Supreme Court Orders Oklahoma to Admit a Negro to Law School". Text continues on the back page (p. 52) with a one c... See More
P.T. Barnum's Museum fire... Ludlow Street Jail...
Item #173184
March 21, 1868
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 21, 1868 The prime feature of this issue is the set of full-page images related to the fire at P.T. Barnum's American Museum: 'Burning of Barnum's Museum - the Animals during the Fire,' and the 'Exterior of Barnum's Museum After the Fire'. Related text is present as well.
Full front page shows the 7: 'Portraits of Managers... See More
"The Book Thief" - premier ad and review...
Item #683332
November 08, 2013
LOS ANGELES TIMES, Nov. 8, 2013
* 12 YEARS A SLAVE -
* THE BOOK THIEF REVIEW
Page D2 has a large ad for the premiere of "The Book Thief", with a corresponding review on page D7. Page D6 has an advertisement for "12 YEARS A SLAVE". Other large ads include: "CAPTAIN PHILLIPS", "ABOUT TIME" and "ALL IS LOST".
The issue is beli... See More
Murder of Ellsworth... Events in Virginia & Florida...
Item #172476
June 15, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 15, 1861 Most of the front page is a three-part print captioned: "Secessionist Prisoner Captured at Alexandria--The Marshall House at Alexandria" with some front page text headed: "The Murder of Ellsworth".
Three-quarters of a page shows: "Company of Secession Cavalry Surrendering to Colonel Wilcox of the First Michigan Regiment, ... See More
Selma-Montgomery march ruling... Johnson's voting bill...
Item #702587
March 18, 1965
WALL STREET JOURNAL, Pacific Coast Edition, March 18, 1965 On the front page under the heading "World Wide" reports "Johnson Sent his new Negro voting bill to Congress"; "Alabama Officials were barred from hindering a 50-mile civil-rights march" and "Martin Luther King, Jr. triumphantly announced the decision to hundreds of his followers massed before the c... See More
Harvard's 'special' commencement on the end of the Civil War... Slavery abolished in Georgia...
Item #688527
July 25, 1865
NEW YORK TIMES, July 25, 1865
* Harvard University commencement
* Georgia no longer a slave state
* Post civil war reconstruction era
The entire front page features the coverage of "HARVARD" "Culmination of the Grand Commencement" which concludes on the back page.
Although the Civil War had not formally concluded, Harvard's Commencement Week, celebrated th
... See More
Negro League star Satchel Paige signed with the Atlanta Braves...
Item #672324
August 13, 1968
LEOMINSTER ENTERPRISE, Mass., August 13, 1968
* Negro League star Satchel Paige signed with the Atlanta Braves at 70 years of age.
* He may pitch!
Page 6 has: "Ageless Satch Paige Has Signed On With Atlanta", which includes approx. 8 inches of supporting text. See images for details.
Complete in 10 pages, evenly toned, overall good.
Background: Satchel Paige had the honor of... See More
Early prints of the Southwest, including San Diego...
Item #688560
December 22, 1855
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 22, 1855 The ftpg. shows: "Sunken Schooner Eudora, From City Island" with more relate prints inside including: "The Eudora Tragedy--Arrest of the Negro" and "Burning of the Steamers at Memphis". Also a print of: "Greytown, Nicaragua" "Explosion of a Steam Fire-Engine, Cincinnati" a doublepg. cent... See More
Attack by Mormon gang... The Great Chicago Fire of 1857...
Item #698403
October 27, 1857
THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Huron County, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1857
* Mormon gang attacks traveler (?)
* Brigham Young mentioned
* Great fire in Chicago
Page 2 has: "The Mormons", which is an article describing a letter from a W. P. Landon who tells of being attacked by a gang of Mormons in Salt Lake City, which necessitated his fleeing to Placerville, California, leaving his wife and chi... See More
Uncle Sam's 1st appearance with chin whiskers... National Colored Convention...
Item #173276
February 06, 1869
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 6, 1869 This issue features a large front page view of "Young Men's Christian Association Building, San Francisco, California". Also, a half page illustration "National Colored Convention in Session at Washington, D.C." with a related front page article. There are two full page illustrations "The Long Sleep" and "... See More
On John Brown's invasion of Harper's Ferry...
Item #172312
November 19, 1859
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 19, 1859 The full front page shows 3 illustrations of: 'Effect of John Brown's Invasion At The South', one being: 'A Southern Planter Arming His Slaves to Resist Invasion' and the other two showing Blacks as well. A halfpage illustration is entitled 'Chatham Street, N.Y., on Sunday'. A third-page illustration features the &q... See More
Great, Navy-themed centerfold...
Item #172460
April 20, 1861
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 20, 1861 The front page shows: "Hon. Charles F. Adams, U.S. Minister to England" as well as a view of: "The Confederate Batteries Opposite Fort Pickens, Florida". Inside has a full page 5 panel print of: "Commander Dahlgren, U.S.N. and the Dahlgren Gun", and a full page of: "The Washington Navy-Yard With Shad Fisheries I... See More
Black Bass Fishing... Alaska...
Item #174904
August 30, 1884
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 30, 1884 Nice full ftpg: 'Black-Bass fishing in the Adirondacks' by Zograum. Good fullpg: 'The Ice Industry of New York' shows 8 scenes. Full page Thomas Nast political cartoon: "A Feather That George Washington Never Had In His Cap". Full page print: "The New Steel Cruisers for the United States Navy". Fullpg: 'Sk... See More
Stock Market... Cocking's Parachute... Steam-Plows...
Item #172082
September 12, 1857
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 12, 1857 Fine front page illustration plus an article on: "The New York Stock Board In Session" being a fine and early graphic on the Stock Exchange. "Barth's Travels in North and Central Africa" features several illustrations. "Flirtation at Newport" article features several small illustrations. The "Home the Am... See More
Marching towards Peekskill... Packing peaches...
Item #175212
August 13, 1887
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 13, 1887 Great full ftpg: 'Packing Peaches for the New York Market' includes a Black man. Halfpg: 'In Search of Bait on the Newfoundland Coast'. Fullpg: 'A Bit of New Hampshire Coast' shows 10 scenes & is very displayable. Fullpg: '22nd Reg. on the March to Peekskill'. Very nice fullpg: 'Salt Water Day on the Coast... See More
First African-American to win the Kentucky Derby...
Item #643703
May 05, 1898
THE NORTH AMERICAN, Philadelphia, May 5, 1898
* Kentucky Derby
* Plaudit - horse
* Willie Simms
The top of pg. 3 has column heads on the Kentucky Derby. The winning jockey was Willie Simms, an African-American. He also won in the 1896 running as well. His name is only mentioned in the results (and misspelled; see). Heads include: "Kentucky Derby Won By Plaudit" "Aristo... See More
A Winslow Homer print, and Civil War scenes...
Item #172538
January 18, 1862
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 18, 1862 The front page has two prints: "Port Royal Ferry, Scene of the Battle of First January, 1862" and a cartoonish print showing a: "Scene in the Parlor of Mrs. Barnwell's House at Beaufort, South Carolina" showing various African-Americans.
Inside has a full page of: "The Vessels of General Burnside's Expedition a... See More
Adolf Hitler opens the 1936 Summer Olympics...
Item #679222
August 01, 1936
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, August 1, 1936
* Olympics open in front of the Nazi Party
The front page has a three column, three line headline: "Olympic Games Given Rousing Sendoff Today At opening Ceremonies", with subheading: "Huge Throngs Pack Stadium Despite Heavy Downpour; Roar Greeting to Hitler", and more. Coverage continues on an inside page... See More
Lengthy & descriptive on early California...
Item #692465
August 03, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 1849 Page 2 has a simply terrific & very lengthy letter on California, taking nearly two columns it is headed: "A Mexican View Of California" "California Seen by a Mexican--Description of the Country--Its Physical, Agricultural, Commercial, and Mineralogical Characteristics".
This is perhaps the best description... See More
Much reporting on the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry...
Item #689622
October 26, 1859
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 26, 1859
* John Brown's Negro insurrection
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia
Close to half of page 2 is taken up with: "More Letters Of The Conspirators" which has a prefacing report noting in part: "...gives publicity to another series of letters which have been obtained from the Harper's Ferry conspirators..... See More
Much on the John Brown Harper's Ferry case...
Item #689623
October 27, 1859
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry, West Virginia trial
Page 3 has over 1 1/2 column taken up with: "Examination Of The Conspirators" in the John Brown insurrection case. One bit mentions: "...to examine the prisoners captured in the recent insurrection...directed to bring in t... See More
Noted fugitive slave case... Describing the Great Salt Lake area...
Item #689546
June 29, 1850
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 29, 1850 Page 3 has half a column headed: "Fugitive Slave Case" "The Constitution & Laws Vindicated" which is concerning a suit: "...for the recovery of damages for aiding & abetting the escape of slaves...the Circuit Court...determined...in favor of the plaintiff. A verdict of $2856 was given by the jury against... See More
Grand Central Station...
Item #177062
November 17, 1900
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 17, 1900 Frontpage "The New Waiting-Room In The Grand Central Station"; The President-Elect (President McKinley); Foreign Troops at Shanghai; Automobile Show at the Madison Square Garden; doublepage centerfold "The Quarter-Back's Dream" by Levering; Progress of the Work on the Underground Railroad; The Torpedo-Boat "Ar... See More
St. Peter's Cathedral... Curling...
Item #173376
January 22, 1870
HARPER'S WEEKLY New York, January 22, 1870 The full front page is taken up with a print of: "The Ecumenical Council-Head of the Procession Entering the Grand Nave of St. Peter's."
Inside is a full page illustration of "Curling, or Bonspiel" with an associated article; one-third page illustration of: "Chinese Coolies Crossing the Missouri River". T... See More
Early Flight...
Item #177815
August 27, 1910
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York City, August 27, 1910 Full front page photo: A New Triumph In The Science Of Flight. the photo shows John B. Moisant standing next to the plane he recently flew with a passenger aboard, across the British Channel between Calais and Tilmanstone.
The flight set a record for two persons in one plane.
Unrelated report inside: The Aeroplane In War So... See More
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