Historic Newspapers: Search Results

NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 28, 1859  

* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry, West Virginia criminal trial
* Underground Railroad & Frederick Douglass

The top of the front page has some nice column heads on the Harper's Ferry insurrection: "The Harper's Ferry Outbreak" "The Trial of John Brown, Charged with Insurrection, Treason and Murder" "The Testimony of the Witnesses Against the Prisoner" "Confession of Copland, the Negro" "Startling Revelations Forthcoming in Which the…

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, Sept. 8, 1854  

* Extremely rare publication

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.
Among the articles: "The Results of Emancipation" "The Fugitive Slave Act--Proposition For Its Repeal" "What Becomes of the Free Colored People" "Colored Emigration Convention" "Aid To Fugitives"…

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 pages, a few small binding holes along the spine, small library stamp within the masthead, nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 20, 1961

* Martin Luther King Jr.
* To act in a movie - film ?
* "Advise & Consent" role ?

Near the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Dr. King to Play Georgia Senator In Movie of 'Advise and Consent'" with subhead and photo of King. (see images)
Complete with all 68 pages, light foxing along the central fold, generally in very nice condition.

Background:In October 1961, director Otto Preminger announced that civil rights leader Dr. Martin…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., Oct. 26, 1960

* Martin Luther King Jr. sentenced to 4 months hard labor
* Would be released on this day with the help of JFK
* re. Atlanta sit-ins - re. John F. Kennedy election win 

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "Integration Leader Gets Jail Term" (see images)
Complete with 22 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

background: On October 26, 1960, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was released on bond from Georgia’s…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, April 18, 1968

* Central Park be-in against racism (Yippies)
* Martin Luther King Jr. assassination - funeral
* Eldridge Cleaver & Bobby Hutton - Black Panthers

The front page has a heading: "Sunday in the Park: Yip-Out or Has-Been?" with 4 related photos. (see images) Coverage continues inside.
The top of page 5 has a heading: "Three Days in Atlanta: 'I'm Free at Last..." with lead-in: "King Funeral"
Page 21 has a full page…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York, Sept. 5, 1963  

* Martin Luther King Jr. - civil rights movement
* March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
* Rare mention of "I Have A Dream" quote

Page 5 has a lengthy & detailed article headed: "200,000 Invisible Men" above which is a photo captioned: "The Marchers In Washington". This is coverage of the famous Martin Luther King, Jr.-led march on Washington.
The article features much commentary on the event, and although it does not include a verbatim…

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 Negro Lawyer Admitted by Chief Justice Chase", which tells of John Rock becoming both the first Black attorney to be…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 12, 1867  The front page is taken up with a print: "Isaac Watts and His Mother at the Prison-Gate" which has an accompanying article.
The feature of the issue is a letter to the editor headed: "Frederick Douglass" which provides some detail of a man who encountered him as a passenger on a railroad train. One portion notes: "...I became convinced that there was but one man of his color who could talk as he did, and that was Frederick Douglass...my thoughts were…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 25, 1865  The front page has prints: "Before Petersburg--Winter Quarters from the Plantation" and "Pocotaligo Depot, South Carolina.
Perhaps the most notable print in this issue is that of: "John H. Rock, Colored Counselor" which has a same-titled article which includes: "We give on this page a portrait of John H. Rock, the colored lawyer who was on February 2 admitted as a practitioner before the Supreme Court of the United States...Mr. Rock is known in…

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, Nov. 12, 1984

* Martin Luther King Sr. death w/ photo
* African-American Baptist pastor
* Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church
* Father of civil rights leader namesake

The front page has a nice headline: "MARTIN LUTHER KING SR. DIES" with photo. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with 120 pages, tabloid size, good condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 12, 1867  The front page is taken up with a print: "Isaac Watts and His Mother at the Prison-Gate" which has an accompanying article. 
The feature of the issue is a letter to the editor headed: "Frederick Douglass" which provides some detail of a man who encountered him as a passenger on a railroad train. One portion notes: "...I became convinced that there was but one man of his color who could talk as he did, and that was Frederick Douglass...my thoughts were…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Sept. 12, 1963  

* Martin Luther King Jr. - civil rights movement
* March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
* Letter to the editor - eyewitness account
* "I Have a Dream" speech fame

Beginning on page 4 is a lengthy letter the editor headed: "An 'Invisible Man' Replies" Text continues on page 6 and is signed in type: Simon Frankel. See images for portion.
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 12, 1863  The full front page is a dramatic print: "Guerrilla Warfare--Rescue of a Wounded Officer from a Band of Guerrillas". Prints inside include: "The Great Organ in the Boston Music Hall" "The Army of the Potomac--The Great Depot of Supplies on the Railroad" and "...The Bridge Over Bull Run--Present Appearance" "The Army of the Cumberland--Stevenson, Alabama" "...The Courier Line" and "...Pack-Mules in the Mountains" which shows a Black man leading…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 14, 1986

* Martin Luther King Jr. Day inauguration
* Radio City Music Hall dedication
* First observance of this federal holiday
* Whitney Houston, Bill Cosby and more

Page 68 has a terrific advertisement for the upcoming gala celebration for the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was at this event that officially started the federal holiday in the United States. (see images)
source: Martin Luther King…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 10, 1868 The front page of this issue features a three-quarter page illustration entitled "The Water Drinkers in Spain". A full page features a halfpage "The South American Earthquakes - Wreck of the 'Wateree'" and "Yacht Race for Vice-Commodore Bennett's Prizes, September 22, 1868".  A one-third page "The Paraguayan War - View of a Bombarded Church as Found by the Allies July 25" is comprised of two illustrations. A fullpage Thomas Nast political cartoon…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 1, 1974 

* Alberta Williams King killed 
* Martin Luther King Jr. mother 
* Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov defects 

The front page has a four column headline: "Mother of Dr. King Is Killed in Church; Atlanta Deacon Slain; Gunman Seized" with subhead and two related photos. Much more on page 20. Loads of text here. 1st report coverage on the killing of Alberta Williams King, mother of Martin Luther King Jr.

Other news, sports and advertisements of the day…

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 three defendants, but ordered that individual trials against 90 others get underway at once." The article continues:…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, June 27, 1968

* Martin Luther king Jr. benefit concert
* Madison Square Garden advertisement
* Aretha Franklin - Sonny & Cher and more
* "Mr. Bojangles" song release - Jerry Jeff Walker

The back page has a 6 x 4 inch advertisement for "Soul Together" benefit concert for Martin Luther King Jr.'s memorial fund. (see image)
Page 27 has a 12 x 6 inch advertisement for the release of Jerry Jeff Walker's famous song "MR. BOJANGLES"…

THE NEW YORK TIMES., Aug. 11, 1962 
 
* Albany Georgia civil rights rally - prayer
* Martin Luther King Jr. arrest and jail release
* Desegregation and voters' rights movement

The front page has a one column heading: "DR. KING IS FREED; PROTESTS PUT OFF" with subheads and photo showing King and Rev. Ralph Abbernathy leaving the courtroom in Albany, Georgia. (see images)
Complete with 32 pages, nice condition.

wikipedia notes: The Albany Movement was a desegregation coalition…

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 margins, nice condition.
 
wikipedia notes: The Albany Movement was a desegregation coalition formed in Albany, Georgia in…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, Greenwich Village, New York City, June 22, 1967

* Martin Luther King Jr. speech
* Hospital workers in Harlem
* "We shall overcome. No lie can live forever"
* LAST ONE IN INVENTORY ***

The front page has a heading: "The Coming of King: A Charismatic Moment" with photo. (see images) King's speech continues on the inside pages and includes his quote: "We shall overcome. No lie can live forever". King would be assassinated less than a year later.
I suspect this to be…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 21, 1877  Certainly the feature of this issue is the nearly one-quarter pg. print of: "Frederick Douglass" with an article on him as well mentioning him being the new Marshall of D.C., with talk of his newspaper The North Star.
Other prints include a full ftpg. political cartoon by Thomas Nast: "Young American Roast Beef For Old England"; prints of: "The Rev. Josiah Henson--The Original of 'Uncle Tom' " "The Plain of Marathon"; a full page  F.S. Church print:…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Feb. 1, 2006

* Coretta Scott King death
* Martin Luther King's wife
* Civil Right activist
* African American equality

The front page has a two column heading: "She Built a Legacy by Preserving One" with subhead and photo. (see) Much more on pages 10 & 11 with 5 more related photos.
Complete with all section (90+ pages, great condition.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, April 5, 1969

* Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated
* Civil rights movement leader
* One year anniversary of murder

The front page has a three column heading: "300 Join Tribune to Dr. King" and more with photo. (see images) More on page 6 with 2 more related photos.
Complete with 36 pages, minor spine wear, nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 19, 1960

* Martin Luther King Jr.
* Civil rights movement leader
* Acquitted of income tax evasion (perjury)

Page 21 has a small one column heading: "Dr. King Is Cleared In 2d Perjury Case" (see)
Complete with 50 pages, minor margin wear, light toning along the central fold, nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 14, 1868  Full front page: 'Impeachment--Thaddeus Stevens and John Bingham Before the Senate'. Inside: 'Impeachment -The Impeachment Committee Preparing the Indictment' shows 4 illustrations. Full page: 'The Streets of New York' shows a chaotic scene. Half page: 'Colored People Gathering Wood - A Winter Scene in Virginia.'  Doublepage centerfold 'Interior of the House of Representatives at Washington - The House in Session.' An article entitled 'Ellis's Island…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 21, 1865  The front page has a print showing: "Lieut. Tappan Discovering Dr. Mudd in the Hold of the Steamer 'Thomas A. Scott' " with a related article. Also a halfpg. print of the: "Trial of Captain Wirz, the Andersonville Jailer, in the Court of Claims, Washington, D.C."
Inside has full page prints: "The Embassy From Tunis" and Gathering Apples". Smaller prints include: "The Bey of Tunis" "Tent of the American Union Commission, Capitol Square, Richmond,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 24, 1883  The entire front page is one of the more desirable of the entire 60 year run of this newspaper, being a fine portrait of: "Frederick Douglass", with a related article on him on an inside page.
But there are other nice prints in this issue as well, including a full page: "Autumn Leaves" by Howard Pyle; a print of: "The Late J. Marion Sims, M.D."; a very nice double page centerfold: "Evacuation Day One Hundred Years Ago---The Continental Army…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, August 14, 1947  This 48 page newspaper has a one column headline on page 30: "BROWNS DOWN TIGERS AFTER 7-1 SETBACK" with box scores. (see)

Tells of negro player Willard Brown becoming the first black player to hit a home run in the American League. Nice to have in this famous NYC title.

Other news of the day throughout. Light browning, otherwise in good condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 1859

* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia trial ending

  The front page has an article: "Arrival Of A Captured Slaver" concerns the barque Emily, captured on the coast of Africa: "...This is the fourth slaver taken within six months by the African squadron...".
Also on the front page: "The Harper's Ferry Conspiracy--Close of the Trial and Sentence of Prisoners" which is on the John Brown…

SPRINGFIELD SUNDAY REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, Aug. 25, 1968

* Fort Hood 43 - Negro soldiers protest
* Democratic National Convention
* Chicago, Illinois - Killeen, Texas

Page 10 has a three column heading: "43 Negro Soldiers at Ft. Hood Face Court Martial for Protest" (see images)
Complete with 50+ pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

wikipedia notes: After Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, thousands of U.S. troops stationed at Fort Hood in…

NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 2, 1865  The top of the front page has: "EMANCIPATION JUBILEE" "Great Rejoicing Among the Colored People" "20,000 Jubilants Celebrate Their Souls in Brooklyn" "Addresses of Wm. Howard Day, Fred. Douglass, and Rev. Mr. Pennington" "The Praying Pic-Nic and the Dancing Darkies" "A Great Day, No Trouble, Fun, Frolic, Music and Happiness".
This text takes one-third of the front page and 1 1/2 columns on the back page. The "Speech of Mr. Douglass" is on the back page.
August 1 was…

NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 17, 1859  

* John Brown's armed insurrection
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia

Page 2 begins with: "The Harper's Ferry Outbreak" & further down the column: "Capt. John Brown's Early History--Almost A D.D." which mentions he almost died years earlier.
Page 4 has: "The Case of the Fugitive Slave Columbus Jones" as well as: "Th Slave Ship Emily, the latter taking nearly a full column to report on the court case..
Eight pages, archivally strengthened at the spine with…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, August 6, 1936  

* Jesse Owens victories - 200 meter gold
* Olympic games in Berlin Germany

The front page of the sports section has a great wire photo of Jesse Owens crossing the finish line in the 200 meters with banner head: "JESSE OWENS MAKES IT A GRAND SLAM!" More on page 25 with head: "Negro Wins Sit Sourly With Nazis" Jesse Owens Crowned by Third Wreath" "Owens Wins, But that is No Surprise" "That Owens Boy Goes Swinging in the Rain".
A sidebar to the…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 22, 1946

* Kenny Washington breaks the color barrier
* NFL football signs it's 1st African American player
* Los Angeles Rams 

The sport's section (page 25) has a small and inconspicuous heading at the bottom of the page that reads: "Rams Sign Ken Washington" (see) Unfortunate for the small report here but still a historic 1st in this famous NYC publication. 
Complete in 42 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

Background:Kenny Washington was a…

THE DAILY MEMPHIS AVALANCHE, Tennessee, March 18, 1877  

* Abolitionist Frederick Douglass
* U.S. Marshall nomination 
* First African American 
* District of Columbia 

The front page has two small & somewhat inconspicuous reports--yet which are very notable in African-American history.
Near the top of the first column is: "Fred. Douglass' nomination for Marshall of the District of Columbia pulled through yesterday. Several Democratic Senators voted for him." And the 2nd column has:…

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, June 17, 1852  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 escaped from slavery and then risked his freedom by becoming an outspoken antislavery lecturer, writer, and publisher.
Among the various articles in…

DAILY WORKER, New York, Feb. 24, 1956

* Martin Luther King Jr. arrested
* Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott
* Ralph Abernathy & other key figures

This publication, The Worker, represents the official voice and ideological "mouthpiece" of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) during one of the most volatile periods of the Cold War.
The front page has a headline that reads: "Alabama Negroes Firm on Boycott Despite Arrests" with related photo. (see images)
Original physical issues of The Worker from the 1950s

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 24, 1963  The front page has a column-wide article "SUSPECT CHARGED IN EVERS MURDER" with subhead "Mississippi Salesman, 42, Seized After Fingerprints on Rifle Are Checked". "Byron de La Beckwith, known as an outspoken white supremacist, was charged with murder today in the ambush slaying of Medgar W. Evers, Negro Civil rights leader...". A photo of Beckwith is located on an inside page.
Page 20 carries a three column headline "125,000 Rally in Detroit to Protest…

DAILY WORKER, New York, Feb. 20, 1956

* Dr. Thomas H. Brewer assassination 
* Columbus, Georgia NAACP chapter leader
* Martin Luther King Jr.'s lawyer indicted 
* Southern civil rights movement events  

This publication, The Worker, represents the official voice and ideological "mouthpiece" of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) during one of the most volatile periods of the Cold War.
The front page has a heading that reads: "Dr. Brewer, Georgia NAACP Leader, Slain" with related photo. (see images)
Page

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Dec. 9, 1859 

* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia

Pages 6 & 7 have much on the John Brown insurrection at Harper's Ferry including: "JOHN BROWN'S INVASION" "The Martial Law Illegal--Reaction Against Wide" "The Fugitives--Cooke and Virginia in Kansas" "An Anecdote of John Brown" "Letter From C. P. Tidd" "Disunion Sentiment" "Monument to John Brown" "Direct From Harper's Ferry" "Man-Hunting in Illinois - Kidnappers…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 12, 1859 

* Post John Brown execution (hanging)
* Much on the funeral services - burial

Almost the entirety of page 6 is taken up with: "The Burial Of John Brown" "The Passage of the Body to North Alba" "The Funeral" "Speeches of Mr. McKim and Mr. Phillips" "John Brown's Last Will" "Charlestown Intelligence" "Caleb Cushing Slandering John Brown" and a letter from Edwin Coppic to Mrs. Brown.
Also of significance is a page 7 article: "The Slaver Wanderer" "Arrest…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Nov. 16, 1859 

* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia

Among articles are: "The John Brown Fund" "JOHN BROWN'S INVASION--Expulsion of Strangers" which takes a full column; "Southern Protest Against The Virginia View of Harper's Ferry" taking half a column.
Page 5 has a report of noted fugitive slave Columbus Jones about whom several websites make mention. headed: "The Alleged Kidnapping Case" is datelined from Barnstable, Mass.
…

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 desegregation coalition formed in Albany, Georgia in November, 1961. In December King and the SCLC became involved. The movement…

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 ship, CSS Planter, in Charleston harbor, and sailing it from Confederate controlled waters to the U.S. blockade. His example and…

THE SEMI-WEEKLY TIMES, New York, May 15, 1857  Pages 2 and 3 have significant coverage of the 24th anniversary gathering of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Among the speakers were William Lloyd Garrison (President), Wendell Phillips, Frances Ellen Watkins (a free negro woman), William Wells Brown (a fugitive slave), and more. While most are familiar with the first two mentioned above, the latter two are worth exploring.
The coverage takes over 6 columns of text.
Other news of the day is…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, December 15, 1936 

* Jesse Owens wins athlete of the year award
* Joe Louis (Brown bomber) vs.Eddie Simms 
* Heavyweight boxing match 

The front page of the sport's section (page 19) has a two column heading: "Louis Dusts Off Eddie Simms in 26 Seconds Flat" with subhead. First report coverage on the heavyweight fight between Joe Louis and Eddie Simms.
Page 5 of the sport's section has a one column heading: "Jesse Owens Winner of 1936 Award" with subhead and…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, sport's section only, July 12, 1936 

* Jesse Owens 100-meter & broad jump
* Olympic games in Berlin Germany tryouts
* To be in front of Adolph Hitler & Third Reich

The front of this section has a five column headline: "Owens Beats Metcalfe in 100-Meter Dash Finals" with subheads and related photo. (see) The Olympics would begin just a few weeks later.
A sidebar to the Olympic games was Adolph Hitler's refusal to acknowledge the achievements of the…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 20, 1956

* re. Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott
* 27 year old Martin Luther King Jr.
* 1960's Civil Rights movement in it's infancy

The front page has a one column heading: "FIRST NEGRO TRIED IN BUS BOYCOTTING" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with all 52 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

background: The trial of Martin Luther King Jr., which began on March 19, 1956, served as a dramatic attempt by Alabama authorities to decapitate the…