Slavery & Abolition
Slavery & Abolition
Early report of the gold diggings in California... Slave ship captured...
Item #639193
December 16, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 16, 1848 The ftpg. has a brief report headed: "Value Of Land in California" due to the discovery of gold.
Page 3 has over half a column of detailed reporting headed: "Later From the Gold Region" which is an early report, as most gold diggings were in 1849.
Also on page 3 is a report: "The Mormons in California have lai... See More
When Abraham Lincoln was an unknown...
Item #661985
January 09, 1849
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 9, 1849
* Early Abraham Lincoln
This newspaper contains on the front page a report from the "House of Representatives" which includes mention of "Lincoln" in a count of the votes of "Nays" in a vote concerning a "Private claim for a slave" (see). Also, page 3 has a similar mention of him in a discuss... See More
Henry W. Longfellow Poem 1849....
Item #215386
May 04, 1849
SALEM GAZETTE, Salem, Mass., May 4, 1849.
* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
* Front Page Poem
* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
* Front Page Poem
The front page has a poem: Resignation. By Henry W. Longfellow. News of the day includes: "Kentucky Emancipation Convention" "Cholera at New Orleans" "California Emigrants" and much more. Interesting advertisements as well. First leaf is trimmed close at t
... See More
Death of James K. Polk... Colt's Revolving Pistol ad...
Item #671939
June 19, 1849
THE DAILY UNION, Washington, D.C., June 19, 1849 Page 3 has much on the death of ex-President James Polk. Page 4 has a small ad for Colt's Improved Repeating Pistol. Also on page 4 is a $150 reward ad for a runaway black man from Luray, Virginia. As was typical of newspapers through this period, each column has black bold lines called "mourning rules" in honor of the death of t... See More
Heading to the gold fields... Slave ship captured...
Item #657383
July 25, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 25, 1849
* California gold rush
* Slave ship captured
Page 3 has reports headed: "From Salt Lake" with reports on the travails of people heading West.
Another item is brief: "Slavers Captured" noting: "...that a British man of war has recently taken into that port a Brazilian brig & barque, having on bo... See More
Lengthy & descriptive on early California...
Item #657350
August 03, 1849
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 1849
* Early life in California
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".
Thi... See More
1849 Pistol ad by Samuel Colt...
Item #664064
September 25, 1849
THE DAILY UNION, Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 1849
* Colt Revolver Ad
* Runaway slave ad
* Gold Rush era newspaper
The front page is filled with ads including a: "$150 Reward" ad for a runaway slave, with details. Beneath this is an ad: "Colt's Improved Repeating Pistols" signed in type: Samuel Colt. (see)
Four pages, good condition.... See More
Item #615380
April 25, 1850
EMANCIPATOR & REPUBLICAN, Boston, April 25, 1850 Although the title would seem to imply this is an anti-slavery newspaper, the content is almost entirely political, plus advertisements as well.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, a few minor archival mends.
Noted fugitive slave case... Describing the Great Salt Lake area...
Item #652831
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
Working to abolish slave trading in the nation's capital...
Item #661670
September 14, 1850
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 14, 1850
* re. Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
* United States Senate debates
* Southern slave holders & Northern Free-Soilers
* Best title to be had from our nation's capital (rare)
Being the mouthpiece of the federal government it was typical that reports & documents emanating from Congress would appear in print first in... See More
The Fugitive Slave Act is approved by the Senate...
Item #655948
September 16, 1850
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., September 16, 1850
* Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
* Passes the United States Senate
* Southern slave holders & Northern Free-Soilers
* Best title to be had from our nation's capital (rare)
Being the mouthpiece of the federal government it was typical that reports & documents emanating from Congress would appear in print first... See More
The Fugitive Slave Act in a Washington, D.C. newspaper...
Item #655024
September 19, 1850
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., September 19, 1850
* Fugitive Slave Law - Act
* Millard Fillmore signs into law
* Southern slave holders & Northern Free-Soilers
* Best title to be had from our nation's capital (rare)
Being the mouthpiece of the federal government it was typical that reports & documents emanating from Congress would appear in print first i... See More
Much on the case of fugitive slave Henry Long...
Item #594783
December 28, 1850
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, December 28, 1850
* Fugitive slave case
Pages 4 & 5 have over a column taken up with an article headed: "Alleged Slave Case" with various subheads, concerning the case of fugitive slave Henry Long, about whom much is written on the hyperlink (see photos). Much detail, as this was from the beginning of the very controversial Fugitive Slave Act... See More
Fort Laramie Treaty... Fugitive slave law & lynching law...
Item #616305
October 30, 1851
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, DC, Oct. 30, 1851 Page 3 has: "The Treaty with the Prairie Indians" noting: "The Treaty was concluded and signed by the Commissioners and Indians on the 17th September. It guaranties to the latter the payment of $50,000 annually, in money or goods, for fifty years, upon their faithful compliance during that time with the terms of the treaty.... See More
"The North Star" becomes "Frederick Douglass' Paper"...
Item #650775
August 13, 1852
FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, August 13, 1852
* Extremely rare title
We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
Douglass was perhaps the most famous 19th century African-American abolitionist who ... See More
Charles Sumner's 1st major speech before the Senate...
Decries slavery - references "Uncle Tom's Cabin's" popularity as support...
Item #652796
August 27, 1852
NEW-YORK DAILY TIMES, August 27, 1852
* Charles Sumner's 1st major speech before the Senate (excerpts)
* Decries the Fugitive Slave Act - references public reaction to "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as support
On August 26, 1852, the newly elected senator, Charles Sumner, in defiance of strenuous efforts to the contrary, delivered his 1st major speech before the Senate, taking over ... See More
"Twelve Years A Slave"...
Item #662733
January 18, 1853
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, Jan. 18, 1853
* Twelve Years a Slave
* Solomon Northup
* Kidnapped into slavery
The front page has a report "From Washington" which includes, in part, some details of the 1841 abduction and subsequent enslavement of freedman Solomon Northup as described in his 1853 memoir "Twelve Years a Slave" and depicted in the 2013 Oscar-winning fil... See More
"Twelve Years A Slave"...
Item #646563
January 20, 1853
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, Jan. 20, 1853
* Twelve Years a Slave
* Solomon Northup
* Kidnapped into slavery
The front page has a detailed account of the 1841 abduction and subsequent enslavement of freedman Solomon Northup as described in his 1853 memoir "Twelve Years a Slave" and depicted in the 2013 Oscar-winning film based on his account. Second column heads announce: "TH... See More
England celebrates Harriet Beecher Stowe & "Uncle Tom's Cabin"...
Item #652797
May 05, 1853
NEW YORK OBSERVER, May 5, 1853
* England celebrates Harriet Beecher Stowe & "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
* Treatment of Indians in California
Page 6 has under the title, "Reception of Mrs. Stowe in England," details concerning her trip to England - which includes the address made in her honor, and the response given by her husband on her behalf. Included is an intriguing ... See More
The fugitive slave case of Bill Fisher...
Item #596652
July 27, 1853
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, July 27, 1853
* Slaves - slavery
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 follow him, probably, t... See More
From Natchez well before the Civil War...
Item #671883
January 11, 1854
THE DAILY COURIER, Natchez, Mississippi, Jan. 11, 1854 A very uncommon newspaper from the Deep South, and rare to find any newspapers from Mississippi from before the Civil War. Although there are various news items the issue is dominated by advertisements, many of them illustrated.
Inside has no fewer than six slave sales ads headed: "Negroes for Sale" "One Hundred & For... See More
Early from the capital of Florida...
Item #671841
October 14, 1854
THE FLORIDIAN AND JOURNAL, Tallahassee, Florida, Oct. 14, 1854 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 wealth of ads as well.
The compl... See More
1855 Passmore Williamson & the fugitive slave case...
Item #590182
July 21, 1855
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 21, 1855
* Fugitive slave law
* Pre prison sentence
The first column on the front page has a report: "Seizure of Slaves at Philadelphia" with is early reporting on the famous fugitive slave case involving Passmore Williamson, a prominent abolitionist, and the slaves he freed owned by John Wheeler. This report notes that the hearing for Wi... See More
Early prints of the Southwest, including San Diego...
Item #645490
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
Fascinating slave case...
Item #662692
April 09, 1856
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 9, 1856 Page 5 has: "An Interesting Slave Case" concerning: "...a young colored woman & her children claimed as slaves..." and what follows are the details of a very fascinating case.
Eight pages, very nice condition.
Much on the Kanas struggle to be a slave or free state...
Item #609279
May 24, 1856
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, May 24, 1856 The front page has: "Later From Kansas" "Reign of Terror In the Territory" "Attack Fixed for Yesterday" "Buford's Men Enlisted" "Clean Work to be Made at Lawrence". Also pages 3 & 4 have: "Kansas Must Be Admitted - A Great Speech by Mr. Sumner" which is very lengthy.
Eight p... See More
Detailed account of the capture of a slave ship...
Item #665152
June 27, 1856
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 27, 1856
* Pre Civil War slavery
* African slave trade
Page 7 has: "The New York Slave Trade - Seizure & Condemnation of the General Pierce" with the lengthy article providing much detail on the capture of the slave ship.
Also: "From Fort Kearny" has a report on a skirmish with Cheyenne Indians.... See More
Dr. Livingstone... William Walker...
Item #172018
January 31, 1857
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 31, 1857 Early from the first year (issue #5) with relatively few illustrations, but including a nice one of; "Dr. Livingstone, the African Explorer". Also is an article "Walker and Nicaragua". A few scenes from Russia. "More Insanity" showing several cures.
Complete in 16 pages, in very good condition (as shown), an... See More
The historic Dred Scott Decision...
Item #665256
March 07, 1857
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, March 7, 1857
* Historic Dred Scott Decision
* Famous former slave case
A very historic issue as page 5 has an article headed: "The Dred Scott Case Decided". This text takes about a half a column and includes the historic ruling by the Supreme Court, which begins: "The opinion of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case was delivered by Chief Justice T... See More
Bermuda...
Item #172032
March 21, 1857
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 21, 1857 An article entitled "Welcome to Horace Vernet" features a small illustration of him as well as a drawing by him which contains his autograph with date. Contains ten illustrations of Bermuda and its people in this article headed: 'A Cruise To the Somers Islands'. Few other illustrations, still being an early volume one issue.
Co... See More
The notable Anderson vs. Poindexter Ohio slave case...
Item #666794
May 13, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 13, 1857 The top of page 3 has a column headed: "Important Slave Case In Ohio" which is the notable Anderson vs. Poindexter case in the Ohio Supreme Court.
Henry Poindexter, the slave of John Anderson in Campbell County, Kentucky, was given his freedom by the Supreme Court of Ohio. In 1848, Poindexter made an agreement with Ander... See More
The Holy Lands...
Item #172066
July 18, 1857
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 18, 1857 The front page has a half page illustration of: 'Hebron', being an overview of the city with the accompany article 'Travel Notes in Bible Lands'. Also small front page illustration of: 'Pilgrims Bathing in the Jordan'.
Inside has 9 small prints regarding: 'The Siamese--The Franks of Asia'. A full page illustration ... See More
Panchita slaver case...
Item #606472
July 28, 1857
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, July 28, 1857
* Slaver Panchita case
Page 2 has an article headed: "THE SLAVE-TRADE" "Curious Case Of The Panchita" and more. Text takes up over four columns.
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, minor spine wear, otherwise nice.
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
Interesting articles on slavery....
Item #656850
November 06, 1857
NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 6, 1857 Page 2 has over half a column headed: "Reopening of the Slave-trade the Only Means of Securing the Power of Slavery" being a lengthy letter by L.W. Spratt of Charleston. This is followed by: "Kansas and Its Relation to This Subject--Political Power of Slavery" which was a very contentious issue in Kansas at this time.
Eight pages, bitr irregu... See More
Fugitive slave case...
Item #606649
December 05, 1857
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, December 5, 1857
* Fugitive slave case
* Pre-Civil War
The front page has an article headed: "Fugitive Slave Case in Indiana" See image for text.
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, nice condition.
Buchanan's 1857 state-of-the-union address to the nation...
Item #655321
December 09, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 1857
* President James Buchanan
* State of the Union Address
* Best title to be had - rare a such
A portion of the front page and most of page 2 are taken up with: "The President's Message" which was the annual state-of-the-union address of the President to the nation, signed in type at its conclusion: James Buchan... See More
Dogs... India...
Item #172110
December 19, 1857
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 19,1857 Front half-page illustration of "General Sir Henry Havelock at the Head of His Staff." Inside two illustrations of dogs including "The Great American Dog, 'Prince' and 'Bill' the London Fire-Escape Dog." Two illustrations pertaining to "Travel Notes in Bible Lands" including "The Tomb of Saint ... See More
Revival of the Southern slave trade?
Item #662769
March 06, 1858
NEW YORK HERALD, March 6, 1858
* African slave trade resumes
* Southern States pass bill (Louisiana)
Page 4 has an article headed: "Revival of the African Slave Trade in the Southern States". the article includes: "Some of our n****r worshiping contemporaries have started off upon a new scent. A bill has been passed by the Louisiana House...authorizing the importation i... See More
USS Niagara...
Item #538452
March 08, 1858
NEW YORK HERALD, March 8, 1858.
* USS Frigate Niagara
* Cable laying across the Atlantic Ocean
Front page has: "Departure Of The Niagara", "The Present Prospects and Condition of The Atlantic Telegraph Enterprise", "Is it Possible to Lay a Submarine Cable Across the Atlantic?", "The Reasons why it is Believed to be Practicable",&
White House reception...
Item #172136
March 13, 1858
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 13, 1858 The front page article "French Court Fashions" features a "Costumes of the Court of the Emperor of the French" illustration. "Travel Notes in Bible Lands" features a half-page "Landing at Smyrna". "The Approach to Canton" includes a map "Chart of Pearl River, showing the Position, at Last Acc... See More
Lucknow...
Item #172152
May 08, 1858
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 8, 1858 Large front page illustration of "Hon. James S. Green, United States Senator From Missouri." Inside are many large illustrations pertaining to "The Final Capture of Lucknow" including "The Martiniere," "The Residency," "Plan of the City of Lucknow," "Lucknow, from the Residency," and &... See More
The Mormon War...
Item #172158
May 29, 1858
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 29, 1858 The front page shows: 'Hon. William M Gwin, of California'. 'Travel notes in Bible Lands' features 'Plain and Ruins of Sardis'. 'The Great Bell Crevasse' just above New Orleans shows 3 scenes. Nice full page illustrations of 'Battle of the Waxhaws, May 29, 1780' and 'The Storming of Ft. George, May ... See More
P.T. Barnum - "The Mammoth Opera Scheme"...
American slave trade...
Item #649082
June 03, 1858
NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, June 3, 1858
* The African slave trade
* P.T. Barnum's letter to the editor
The front page has an article headed: "The Slave-Trade And The American Flag". See image for text. Page four has an interesting letter to the editor entitled: "The Mammoth Opera Scheme", signed in type by P.T. Barnum.
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, a ... See More
Billy Bowlegs... Yachting...
Item #172162
June 12, 1858
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 12, 1858 The front page article "A Visit to Captain Howes, of The Schoonoer 'Mobile'" also features a half-page illustration "The British Officer Boarding the 'Mobile' and a smaller illustration 'Side of the 'Mobile,' Showing the Mark of the Rifle-Ball". A text article on "Luncan's Light". "... See More
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher...
Item #172172
July 17, 1858
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 17, 1858 A front page illustration and article 'Rev. Henry Ward Beecher'. An article "The Boat and The Train" features two half page illustrations: 'Going On Board' and 'Waiting for the Train'. 'The Late Eruption of Vesuvius' features a half page illustration of the same plus a smaller illustration "A Crater i... See More
From the deep South with slave sale ads...
Item #675792
July 26, 1858
THE DAILY CRESCENT, New Orleans, July 26, 1858
* Rare antebellum publication
* 5 slave advertisements
News of the day with several advertisements including a some slavery related ads, 5 on page 5 and another 1 on page 7.
Four pages, various news of the day, loose and irregular at the spine with a little text loss, a little light foxing, a little margin wear, small horizontal hole on the ba... See More
Prelude to the Lincoln-Douglas debates...
Item #652686
July 27, 1858
NEW YORK HERALD, July 27, 1858
* Abraham Lincoln
* To hit national stage
* Question of slavery
Page 2 has a lengthy article: "The Illinois Campaign" "Mr. Douglas on the Kansas Question...".
This speech was on July 16, 1858 and concerned the slavery question, which would be a prelude to the Lincoln-Douglas debates which began in August for the Illinois Senate sea... See More
Death of Dred Scott... Slave ships...
Item #661567
September 21, 1858
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Sept. 21, 1858
* Dred Scott death
* Famed Slave
* Slavers - ships
Page 4 contains a very brief, yet significant, report headed: "Death of Dred Scot" with the actual text not much longer, reading: "Dred Scott died in this city on Friday night last." with a dateline of St. Louis, Sept. 20, 1858.
In the same column on this page is "Later From... See More
The Wanderer (slave ship)...
Item #606765
October 20, 1858
THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 20, 1858
* John Heenan "Benicia Boy"
* Pre Civil War boxing w/ police raid
* Jews Hospital - Mount Sinai
The front page has an article headed: "Fight Between the 'Bencia Boy' and 'Dublin Tricks'--The Latter Badly Beaten" See image for text here.
Eight pages, minor spine wear, nice condition.... See More
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