Slavery & Abolition
Slavery & Abolition
First African-American appellate judge sworn in...
Item #665410
December 02, 1949
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 2, 1949
* William H. Hastie sworn in
* 1st black United States Appellate Judge
The top of page 22 has a three column photo with heading: "First Negro Sworn In As Circuit Court Of Appeals Judge" with text. (see)
Other news, sports and advertising of the day. Complete in 54 pages, rag edition in great condition.... See More
Pearl Bailey Quits...
Item #577633
February 12, 1950
DETROIT NEWS, Detroit, Michigan, February 12, 1950 The frongpage of this issues features a 3 line, 1 col. head: "Pearl Bailey Quits; Blames Race Taunts" and above this head is "Deserts Show". Report describes how Bailey quit a new Broadway show called "Arms and the Girls" because white members of the cast "...needled her with anti-Negro remarks...&quo... 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
First African American to serve as governor of the United States Virgin Islands, as a federal judge, and as a federal appellate judge...
Item #673733
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
Ralph Bunche wins Nobel Peace Prize....
Item #565130
September 23, 1950
THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, NY, September 23, 1950
* Ralph Bunche wins Nobel Peace Prize
* 1st negro winner
* Arab-Israeli mediator
This 32 page newspaper has a two column headline on the front page: "Bunche of U.N. Is Selected For 1950 Nobel Peace Prize" with subhead: "Palestine Mediator's Award First to Negro...." with photo of Bunche.
Tells of the first negro to... See More
Harry T. Moore assassination....
Item #570072
December 27, 1951
THE TIMES PICAYUNE, New Orleans, Louisiana, December 27, 1951 This 36 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "BLAST TAKES LIFE OF NEGRO LEADER" "NAACP Official Killed as Explosion Rips Home".
This tells of the assassination plot on Civil Rights leader Harry T. Moore in Mims, Florida.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning, otherwise goo... See More
Ban of black golf players broken for the first time...
Item #588696
January 18, 1952
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Springfield, Massachusetts, January 18, 1952
* PGA Professional Golfers Association
* Ban of black players broken for the 1st time
This 40 page newspaper has two column headlines on page 36: "Kroll Shatters Course Standard at San Diego" and "Fire Seven-Under 65 for Three-Stroke Lead; Louis Becomes First Negro to Play in PGA Event"
This was the o... See More
1952 Canada Lee death....
Item #687458
May 10, 1952
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, May 10, 1952
* Canada Lee death (1st report)
* Professional boxer & actor
* African American acting pioneer
Page 4 has a one column heading: "Canada Lee, Famous Negro Actor, Dead" with small photo. (see)
Complete with 24 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally nice.... 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
Brown vs. Board of Education...
Item #713511
December 10, 1952
THE DETROIT NEWS, December 10, 1952
* Brown vs. Board of Education
* Segregation in the South 1st argued
* Brown vs. Board of Education
* Segregation in the South 1st argued
The top of page 7 has a six column heading: "Supreme Court Hears Negro Attorney Rap 'Separate but Equal' School Facilities" Coverage on the 1st argument talks of the famous supreme court case.
Complete with 88 pages, light toning and minor we
... See More
Complete with 88 pages, light toning and minor we
Milt Campbell, Olympic Silver Medalist, while still in high school....
Item #712684
February 28, 1953
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 28, 1953
* Milt Campbell, future Olympic decathlon gold medal winner
* Already an Olympic silver medalist
*Competes in regional high school championships
Page 11 has: "CAMPBELL CAPTURES TWO NEWARK EVENTS", followed by a few paragraphs of text which includes in part: "Milt Campbell, Plainfield High School star, won the first of two events in th... See More
Elston Howard becomes 1st Black Yankee...
Item #566733
April 15, 1955
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Massachusetts, April 15, 1955
* Elston Howard 1st black starter (1st report)
* New York Yankees
* MLB baseball
This 40 page newspaper has various baseball reports on the opening week of the 1955 season on pages 33 & 34.
Page 34 has historic one column headline that reads: "Howard First Negro To Play for Yanks In Regular Game" which tells of Elston ... See More
Sam Jones.... 1st Negro to throw a no-hitter in Major League Baseball...
Item #617765
May 13, 1955
LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, May 13, 1955
* Sam Jones - Chicago Cubs
* 1st Negro to throw a no-hitter in Major League Baseball
The sport's section (page 11) has a two column heading: "HOW IT'S GETTING TO BE IN TOSSING NO-HITTERS IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES" First report coverage on the 1st Negro pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the MLB.
Other news, sports and adver... See More
Ernie Banks hits 3 HRs...
Item #581036
August 05, 1955
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Massachusetts, August 5, 1955
* Ernie Banks 3 home runs game
* Chicago Cubs - Mr. Cub
This 14 page newspaper has a two column headline on page 8: "Cubs' Banks Hits Three Home Runs"
Other news of the day throughout including various advertisements. Paper is in good condition.
wikipedia notes: Ernest "Ernie" Banks (born January 31, 1931 ... See More
Marvin Griffin and the 1956 Sugar Bowl controversy...
Item #659527
December 03, 1955
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Dec. 3, 1955
* Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin
* Southern Armageddon at Sugar Bowl ?
* Bobby Grier - 1st African American ?
The sport's section (page 33) has a two column heading: "Governor's Bowl Stand Is Opposed by Regents" with subhead and related pictorial. (see)
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, gen... See More
Roy Campanella wins MVP for 3rd time...
Item #559842
December 09, 1955
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Massachusetts, December 9, 1955
* Roy Campanella wins MVP for 3rd & final time
* Brooklyn Dodgers - MLB baseball
This 40 page newspaper has two column headlines on page 34: "Campanella Is Named MV for Third Time" and "Brooklyn Catcher Beats Out Duke Snider by Five Votes for 1955 Honor" with one column photo of Campy. (see)
Other news of the ... See More
Autherine Lucy becomes 1st black student to enroll at the University of Alabama...
Item #671076
February 06, 1956
DAILY WORKER, New York, February 9, 1956
* University of Alabama breaks the color barrier
* Autherine Lucy becoming 1st black student to enroll
The front page has a nice headline "World Backs Negro Coed, But Ike Just Waits" Also a one column heading: "Alabama U. Editor His Shameful Riot" and photo of Lucy. (see) Coverage on the demonstrations at the University of Alabama... See More
Autherine Lucy attends University of Alabama...
Item #668447
February 08, 1956
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, February 8, 1956
* Autherine Lucy attending University of Alabama
* 1st African American student at Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Near the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Demands Alabama U. Readmit Negro Girl" Two related photos are on the back page. Coverage on the 1st black student to attend the University of Alabama during the... See More
1956 John Hope Franklin... Brooklyn College...
Item #713507
February 15, 1956
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 15, 1956
* John Hope Franklin - African American historian
* 1st to head department of history at Brooklyn College
Near the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Negro Educator Chosen to Head Department in Brooklyn College" with subhead and photo. (see image)
Complete 1st section only with all 32 pages, foxing and a little wear along the cent... See More
Martin Luther King & the Montgomery bus boycott trial...
Item #706781
March 20, 1956
DAILY WORKER, New York, March 20, 1956
* Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott trial
* Only 3 of 93 Negro leaders have charges dropped
* Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
The top of the front page has: "Voids Charge Against 3 of 93 in Alabama Trial" which begins: "The mass trial of Negro bus boycott leaders began today... Alabama judge Eugene Carter dismissed charges against ... See More
Althea Gibson... 1st Negro Wimbledon champ...
Item #581308
July 08, 1956
SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, July 8, 1956
* Althea Gibson - tennis star
* 1st Negro Wimbledon win (historic)
This 50+ page newspaper has a banner headline on the front page of the sport's section (inside): "SHIRLEY FRY CAPTURES WIMBLEDON TITLE" with subheads (see photos).
Of course Fry's win dominated the headlines here because of it being the singles ti... See More
Milt Campbell leads Melbourne Decathalon...
Item #712683
November 30, 1956
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 30, 1956
* Milt Campbell takes strong lead in the Decathalon
* Melbourne, Australia Olympics
* Would win gold the following day - 1st black man to do so
Page 27 has a nice two-line, two-column heading: "Campbell Takes Hurdles to Lift Decathalon Lead to 525 Points", followed by details. This lead would be insurmountable as he would win the Gold Medal... 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
Rosa Jordan shot deasd... Montgomery bus boycott...
Item #693048
December 21, 1956
THE DETROIT NEWS, December 29, 1956
* Black pregnant woman Rosa Jordan shot dead
* Martin Luther King Jr. becoming known
* Montgomery, Alabama bus segregation ending
A landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation throughout the country, doing much to create defiant reactions throughout the South. The new law went into effect on Dec. 21st.
The front p... See More
Jackie Robinson ends his playing career...
Item #690855
January 16, 1957
THE SPORTING NEWS, St. Louis, Jan. 16, 1957
* Jackie Robinson - Brooklyn Dodgers
* 1st Negro MLB baseball player (retirement)
Pages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 contain an excellent very exhaustive report on Jackie Robinson's decision to retire from baseball, much to the disappointment of the N.Y. Giants to whom he was to be sold.
Just some of the headlines include: "Jackie's G... See More
"Little Rock Nine"...
Item #714651
September 05, 1957
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., September 5, 1957
* Little Rock Nine - Elizabeth Eckford
* Negro students - Arkansas
* 1st Central High School entry try
* Dorothy County - civil rights pioneer
* Harry Harding High School - Charlotte NC
The front page has two, 2 column photos showing Elizabeth Eckford and Dorothy Counts with small heading: "Negro Girl Denied Admittance" with te... See More
Little Rock Nine in 1957...
Item #715158
October 02, 1957
THE DETROIT NEWS, Oct. 2, 1957
* Little Rock Nine
* Negro students - Arkansas
* Central High School
The front page has a banner headline: "IKE-FAUBUS TRUCE FAILS" with lead-in: "Troops Stay at School" and subheads. (see images). Coverage continues on page 2.
Complete with 84 pages, minor margin wear, small binding holes along the spine, generally in nice condition.... See More
Flashpoint for the school integration issue...
Item #692713
August 19, 1958
THE DETROIT NEWS, Aug. 19, 1958
* Little Rock, Arkansas
* Negro students
* Central High School
The top of the front page has a six column headline: Little Rock to Fight Integration Ruling" with subheads. This concerning the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, a flashpoint for the who desegregation issue of the 1950's and 1960's.
Complete with 44 pages, sma... See More
Flashpoint for the school integration issue...
Item #701359
September 15, 1958
THE DETROIT NEWS, Sept. 15, 1958
* Governor Orval Faubus
* Little Rock, Arkansas
* Negro students
* Central High School
The front page has a three column heading: "Little Rock Pupils Stay Away; Officers Alerted" with related photo. (see images) This concerning the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, a flashpoint for the who desegregation issue of the 1950'... See More
Banned from hotel, Elgin Baylor refuses to play...
Item #677557
January 17, 1959
THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 17, 1959
* Elgin Baylor refuses to play in West Virginia
* Negro team members banned from "white's only" hotel
The 1st column of the front page has heading: "Baylor, N.B.A. Star, Balks at Hotel Ban", which states in part: "Elgin Baylor, rookie star of the professional Minneapolis Lakers, refused to play tonight... in protest...&... See More
Negro boys reform school fire disaster....
Item #599440
March 06, 1959
THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 6, 1959
* Little Rock AR Arkansas
* Negro reform school fire disaster (1st report)
The front page has one column headings: "FIRE KILLS 21 BOYS IN REFORM SCHOOL", "47 Negroes Escape Locked Dormitory in Arkansas". This is 1st report coverage on the fire disaster at the State Training School for Delinquent Negro Boys.
... See More
Mack Parker lynching...
Item #569721
April 26, 1959
SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Springfield, Massachusetts, April 26, 1959 This 50+ page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "FATE OF NEGRO SEIZED AT MISS. SAID UNKNOWN" "Believed Slain, However; 10 Masked Lynchers Sought by Posse".
Tells of the lynching of negro Mack Parker in Poplarville, Mississippi.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning, ot... 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
Poplarville, MS lynching...
Item #590873
April 28, 1959
SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Springfield, Massachusetts, April 28, 1959
* Poplarville, Mississippi
* Negro lynching - murder
This 32 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "FBI QUIZZES STUDENTS IN LYNCH PROBE" and
"Over 60 Agents Investigating Mississippi Mob Action". This is coverage on the lynching of negro Mack Parker in Poplarville, Mississippi.... See More
Ezell Blair Jr - the Greensboro Four...
Item #708359
March 26, 1960
THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 26, 1960 Present are two articles (and a photo) related to Ezell Blair Jr., civil rights activist who is best known as a member (leader?) of the Greensboro Four - a group of African American college students who, on February 1, 1960, sat down at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina challenging the store's policy ... 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
Martin Luther King Jr. sentenced to 4 months.......
Item #696323
October 26, 1960
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Oct. 26, 1960
* Martin Luther King Jr.
* Sentence to 4 months
* re. Atlanta sit-ins
The top of page 14 has a two column photo showing King in handcuffs and text witch begins with: "Negro Integration leader Dr. Luther King, Jr. was led away in Atlanta..." (see images)
Complete with 36 pages, some small binding holes along the spine, small library stamp wi... See More
Did MLK endorse JFK in 1960 ?...
Item #696854
November 03, 1960
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 3, 1960
* Martin Luther King Jr.
* John F. Kennedy - JFK
* 1960 Presidential campaign
The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "Negro Unit Charges King Aids Kennedy" (see images) The presidential was just a few days away.
Complete with 36 pages, light toning along the central fold, a little margins wear, generally good.... See More
Lousianna school integration...
Item #675665
November 14, 1960
THE DETROIT NEWS, Nov. 14, 1960
* The front page has the dramatic 6 column headline: "La. Troopers Called to Close Schools" and "Legislators Defy U.S. Court Order". The coverage describing : "A caravan of state troopers massed on the fringes of New Orleans at dawn today, a few hours before five Negro girls were to enter the first of two white public schools",... 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
"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
1961 Albany, Georgia movement... MLK...
Item #696674
December 13, 1961
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 13, 1961
* Albany Movement - Georgia
* Desegregation & voters' rights
* Freedom Riders trial protests - arrests
The top of page 51 has a one column heading: "ALBANY, GA., JAILS 267 NEGRO YOUTHS" with subhead. (see images) Though not mentioned in this report, Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of main leaders in this civil rights movement.
Complete w... See More
1961 Albany, Georgia movement... MLK...
Item #697045
December 18, 1961
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Dec. 18, 1961
* Albany Movement - Georgia
* Desegregation & voters' rights
* re. Martin Luther King Jr. arrested
* Freedom Riders trial protests - arrests
The top of page 6 has a three column heading: "Negro Leaders Divided On New Georgia Protests" (see images)
Complete with all 44 pages, A few small library stamps near the top of the front page,... See More
1962 Malcolm X vs. Bayard Rustin debate ad...
Item #712404
January 18, 1962
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 18, 1962
* Malcolm X - civil right movement leader
* African American Muslim Minister activist
* Bayard Rustin - socialism activist - debate ad
The bottom of the back page has a 3 3/4 x 2 inch advertisement for: "'Separation Or Integration' a debate between Malcolm X and Bayard Rustin" at the Community Church i... See More
Jackie Robinson & Bob Feller... inducted into the Hall of Fame...
Item #600368
January 24, 1962
LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, January 24, 1962
* Bob Feller & Jackie Robinson inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
* Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African American to be so honored
Page 6 has a one column headline: "Robinson, Feller Join Hall of Fame" 1st report coverage on Bob Feller and Jackie Robinson being inducted into Baseball's hal... 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
Myrna Bain... conservative Negro Woman...
Item #704584
December 06, 1962
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Dec. 6, 1962
* Political activist Myrna Bain
* Negro Woman conservative
* Integration in schools
The front page has a heading: "Legal Integration Does Not Make Negro 'Visible' Man" with lead-in: "The Negro Conservative". (see images) Lengthy text continues on multiple inside pages.
I suspect this to be a... See More
Harvey Gantt breaks the color barrier....
Item #622169
January 28, 1963
THE PARSONS SUN, Kansas, January 28, 1963
* Harvey Gantt break the color barrier
* 1srt Negro enrolled in a South Carolina college
* Clemson University Tigers
The front page has a three column headline: "Color Wall Broken In South Carolina" with caption: "Negro Enrolled at Clemson College" (see) 1st report coverage on Harvey Bernard Gantt becoming the 1st Negro to enrol... 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
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
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