27 August 1884

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amy Post

Douglass writes to Post, a New York abolitionist and suffragist. Had been to Post's home in Rochester, and regretted her absence. Relates that he and Helen, his wife (they married in January 1884) had for their honeymoon traveled through Chicago, Montreal, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York, among other locations without "a single repulse or insult in all the journey." Expresses annoyance with the letters and questions regarding his wife's age, their difference in race (Pitts was white), how their friends and family feel, and other topics pertaining to the marriage. Notes that they are…

GLC05819

1899

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt, 1868-1963

Book

Title: The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study

Du Bois's detailed study uses history and sociology to consider the social experience of African Americans in the Seventh Ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Offers a comprehensive examination of black life, including migration, religion, crime, family, health, and education. Contains a preface by Du Bois and an introduction by Samuel McCune Lindsay, Professor of Sociology at University of Pennsylvania. Includes a map of the Seventh Ward following the introduction which indicates the distribution of African American inhabitants and their social condition. Contains a map facing page 60…

GLC05823

1853

Northup, Solomon, 1808-?

Book

Title: Twelve years a slave: narrative of Solomon Northup, a citizen of New York, kidnapped in Washington City in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river, in Louisiana.

Published in Auburn by Derby and Miller; Buffalo, New York by Derby, Orton and Mulligan; and Cincinnati, Ohio by Henry W. Derby. Woodcut illustrations. Northup dedicates the book to Harriet Beecher Stowe.

GLC05840

1855

Drayton, Daniel, 1802-?

Book

Title: Personal memoir of Daniel Drayton, for four years and fours months a prisoner (for charity's sake) in Washington jail...

(title continues)... Including a narrative of the voyage and capture of the Schooner Pearl. Published by Bela Marsh. Includes a frontispiece printed portrait of Drayton. Of his attempt to assist a mass slave escape, Drayton writes, "The opportunity occurring, I did not hesitate to improve it; nor have I ever yet seen occasion to regret having done so."

GLC05873

1855

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Book

Title: My bondage and my freedom. Part I : Life as a slave. Part II : Life as a freeman. By Frederick Douglass with an introduction. By James McCune Smith.

Published by Miller, Orton & Mulligan. Includes an engraving of a young Douglass by J. C. Buttre from a daguerreotype. Signed on front free yellow endpaper by Maggie R. Marriott 1 June 1861.

GLC05820

1864

American Anti-Slavery Society

Book

Title: Proceedings of the American Anti-Slavery Society, at its third decade, held in the City of Philadelphia, Dec. 3d and 4th, 1863.

Contain an appendix and a catalogue of anti-slavery publications in America from 1750-1863. Includes writings and/or speeches by William Lloyd Garrison (Anti-slavery Society President), Henry Ward Beecher, Stephen S. Foster, Abby Kelley Foster, Susan B. Anthony, Oliver Johnson, Lucy Stone, Frederick Douglass, and John Greenleaf Whittier, among others. Bound in yellow paper cover.

GLC05821

March 1948

Coles, Howard Wilson, 1903-1996

Magazine

Title: Frederick Douglass monthly. [Vol. 1, no.1 (March 1948)]

Published by Voice Publishing Co. Contains reprint of Douglass's "Men of Color, to Arms" from the 2 March 1863 printing: "This is our golden opportunity. Let us accept it and forever wipe out the dark reproaches unsparingly hurled against us by our enemies." Also includes a printing of a radio speech by Mrs. Howard W. Coles on Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony (originally delivered 3 November 1947). Includes an article on Abraham Lincoln, and a quiz on African American history. Stamped "Sample." On first page, contains a print of a photograph of Douglass.

GLC05822

1964

King, Martin Luther Jr., 1929-1968

Book signed

Title: [Why we can't wait, inscribed to Libby Holman Reynolds Shanker]

Published by Harper and Row. Inscription to Shanker, a singer and activist, states "To my Friend ... In appreciation for your genuine goodwill, your great humanitarian concern and your unswerving devotion to the cause of freedom and justice." Contains a sticker on the inner front cover containing the words "Ex Libris Libby Holman Reynolds" and the printed image of a house. Illustrated with photographs. Text advocates using nonviolent protest to obtain civil rights, and explains why he believes 1963 has been a time ripe for change in America. Considers many of the social, political and…

GLC05824

1866-1867

Header Record

Title: National anti-slavery standard. [Vol. 26, no. 35 (January 6, 1866)- v. 28, no. 34 (December 28, 1867)] [with gaps]

Volume 26 is missing issue numbers 43 and 47. Volume 27 is missing issue numbers 8,13,and 35. Volume 28 is missing issue number 28. The January 5, 1866, Vol. 27, no. 35 most likely contains misprint in either the date or the Volume and issue number. The issues contain information on the 14th Amendment & impeachment of [Andrew] Johnson, speeches of Sumner, women's suffrage, and advertisements for colored soldiers to collect bounties.

GLC05825

1839

American Anti-Slavery Society

Pamphlet

Title: The American anti-slavery almanac, for 1839.

With original yellow wrappers and illustrations for almost every month. Illustrations depict the horrors of slavery. Contains ink stains. Published for the Anti-Slavery Society by S. W. Benedict.

GLC05826

1788

Pennsylvania, General Assembly.

Pamphlet

Title: The constitution of the Pennsylvania Society, for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free Negroes, unlawfully held in bondage...

(title continues)... begun in the year 1774, and enlarged on the twenty-third of April, 1787 : to which are added, the acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the gradual abolition of slavery. Benjamin Franklin serves as President of the Society.

GLC05827

1840

Hopper, Isaac T., 1771-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Exposition of the proceedings of John P. Darg, Henry W. Merritt, and others, in relation to the robbery of Darg, the elopement of his alleged slave...

(title continues)... , and the trial of Barney Corse, who was unjustly charged as an accessary.

GLC05828

1832

Faulkner, Charles James, 1847-1929

Pamphlet

Title: The speech of Charles Jas. Faulkner (of Berkeley) in the House of Delegates of Virginia, on the policy of the state with respect to her slave population: Delivered January 20, 1832.

Printed by Thomas W. White. Faulkner states, "... the evils of slavery stand confessed before us. The only question with a Virginia statesman, should be-- is there any remedy and what shall that remedy be?... although I am decidedly in favor of some scheme of manumission that will ultimately relieve my country from the catastrophe which threatens it, let no gentleman suppose, from what has fallen from me, that I am in favor of any rash, violent, or hasty legislation." Bound with string.

GLC05829

1832

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Book

Title: Thoughts on African Colonization

Early critique of the Colonization Society. Published by Garrison & Knapp.

GLC05830

1853

Hale, Sarah J.B., 1788-1879

Book

Title: Liberia; or Mr. Peyton's experiments.

304 pages of text followed by twelve pages of advertisements. Published by Harper & Brothers. Contains sticker from Bryant Circulatory Library Association of Roslyn, New York.

GLC05831

1857

Header Record

Title: Collection of documents related to stopping the African slave trade [Decimalized .01-.05]

Five documents regarding efforts of British and American Naval ships off the African coast and around the mouth of the Congo River to end the illegal African slave trade.

GLC05832

1796

Foster, Theodore, 1752-1828

Pamphlet

Title: Minutes of the proceedings of the third convention of delegates from the abolition societies established in different parts of the United States, assembled at Philadelphia...

(title continues)... on the first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, and continued, by adjournments, until the seventh day of the same month, inclusive. Printed by Zachariah Poulson, Jr. Cites the names of delegates from the abolitionist societies of Providence, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, Maryland, and Virginia. Theodore Foster is listed as president of the convention, and Thomas Pim Cope as secretary. Some pages are separated from binding.

GLC05833

1953

Owens, William A., 1905-?

Book

Title: Slave Mutiny: the Revolt on the Schooner Amistad

Published by John Day Company. First edition. Comprises a dramatic retelling of the Amistad narrative, based on factual events of the mutiny and trial.

GLC05835

1749

Postlethwayt, Malachy, fl. 1707-1767

Pamphlet

Title: Considerations on the revival of the Royal-British-assiento; between His Catholick-Majesty, and the honourable The South-Sea Company. With a humble attempt to unite the African-trade...

(title continues)... to that of the South-Sea Company, by Act of Parliament. Pertains to Great Britain, Spain, and the slave trade. Printed by John and Paul Knapton. Cover has been removed.

GLC05836

1839

United States. Congress (26th: 1839-1841). House

Pamphlet

Title: Report of the committee on the judiciary. Relative to the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia and in relation to the colored population of this country.

Printed by Boas & Coplan. Signed on front cover by "J. H. Battain." "Slavery is justly deplored by every good man, as a great evil, and one which should be removed as speedily as the safety and welfare of the country will permit, but let it not be removed in a manner that will inevitably produce a greater evil."

GLC05837

1868

Keckley, Elizabeth, fl. 1818-1907

Book

Title: Behind the scenes. By Elizabeth Keckley, formerly a slave, yet more recently modiste, and friend to Mrs. Abraham Lincoln...

(title continues)... or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the White House. 371 pages, followed by eight pages of advertisements. Published by G. W. Carleton & Co. Contains a print of Keckley opposite title page. Discusses her service to Jefferson Davis, among other topics. Appendix includes letters from Mary Lincoln to Keckley.

GLC05839

1856

Thompson, John, 1812-?

Book

Title: The life of John Thompson, a fugitive slave; containing his history of 25 years in bondage, and his providential escape. [incomplete]

First edition. Incomplete copy lacking pages 99-106 in chapter 15. In the introduction, Thompson writes: "I am aware that now, when public opinion makes it no martyrdom to denounce slavery, there are multitudes of men that grow bold, and wield a powerful weapon against this great evil; and even school boys daringly denounce a system, the enormity of which they cannot appreciate, surely I thought it may be permitted to one who has worn the galling yoke of bondage, to say something of its pains, and something of that freedom which, if he should succeed in accurately defining, he can truly say…

GLC05841

1872

Still, William, 1821-1902

Book

Title: The underground railroad. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes and death struggles...

(title continues)... of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others, or witnessed by the author; together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders and most liberal aiders and advisers of the road. Printed by Porter & Coates. Contains a frontispiece printed portrait of Still, and woodcut illustrations throughout text. An exhaustive volume containing narratives, testimonies, and biographies.

GLC05843

1883

Still, William, 1821-1902

Book

Title: Still's underground rail road records. Revised edition. With a life of the author. Narrating the hardships, hairbreadth escapes and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom.

Contains woodcut illustrations. Published by Still. Includes a printed portrait of Still opposite title page. An exhaustive volume containing narratives, testimonies, and biographies.

GLC05844

1850

Stuart, Moses, 1780-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Conscience and the Constitution with remarks on the recent speech of the Hon. Daniel Webster in the Senate of the United States on the subject of slavery.

Published by Crocker & Brewster. Stuart, a minister and Professor of Biblical Studies at Andover Seminary (near Boston), justifies slavery using a Biblical argument. Also predicts the economic repercussions of abolition: "Suppose the black population are made free; then what is to be done with them after this, specially in those States, or parts of States, where they are more numerous than the whites; how are they going to live and prosper... What then I ask the Abolitionists... what is to be done with such a population?" Argues for colonization.

GLC05845