American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

WHITE, Charles. Free Angelo Herndon. New York, NY: Youth Publishers, 1934 (toning, some chipping to edges). Pamphlet produced in support of the imprisoned Black CPUSA member and labor organizer, Angelo Herndon, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on a charge of insurrection for organizing black and white workers in Atlanta. Herndon's case twice reached the Supreme Court on appeal and his conviction was overturned in 1935. Herndon was officially exonerated by a narrow Supreme Court decision in 1937. -- Insurgent. Vol. 1, No. 1. San Francisco, CA: W.E.B. DuBois Clubs of America, March-April 1965 (light toning, general wear, overall very good). First issue of the magazine produced by W.E.B. DuBois Clubs' of America, which was seen by Richard Nixon as a Communist organization. Contains articles on the Beatles, a report from Mozambique, and the Free Speech Movement.

[With:] Speaking on Genocide. [Chicago, IL]: 1972. 8 1/2 x 11 in. flyer advertising a fundraising event for imprisoned black activists in Chicago and for the publication "Genocide" by Harabu Tafadhali at Episcopal Church of Epiphany at 201 South Ashland Ave. (very good overall, light wear). The book was due to be published by Black-owned publisher Path Press (and is held, in manuscript format, with Path Press' records at the Chicago Public Library) but was never completed. Donations were used on behalf of a wide selection of imprisoned Black militants, including H. Rap Brown, Black Panther activist and chairman of the Atlanta-based Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the late 1960s, and later the Justice Minister of the Black Panther Party. He was imprisoned in 1971 following a shootout with New York City police officers.

[With:] Huey's Message to the Revolutionary People's Constitutional Convention Plenary Session September 5, 1970, Philadelphia, PA. [Philadelphia?]: Black Panther Party, [ca 1970]. 4pp., folio, 11 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (toning at edges, original folds).

The Revolutionary People's Constitutional Convention held 4-7 September 1970 was organized by the Black Panther Party and aimed to unify radical left factions and draft a new United States Constitution. One of the largest gatherings of the far-left in the United States drawing an estimated attendance of 6,000-15,000. It was well attended by groups representing not only the Black Power Movement but also Asian American, Chicano, American Indian, Anti-War, Women's Liberation, and Gay Liberation movements as well. 

[With:] Tabloid sheet containing manifestos by Eldridge Cleaver and Huey P. Newton. Oakland, CA: Black Panther Party, 1970. 4pp., folio, 11 1/4 x 16 1/2 in. (toning at edges, original folds). Front page features Eldridge Cleaver's "On the Constitution" beneath a collage of Black Panther images including an illustration of Party Chaiman Bobby Seale strapped to the electric chair. Inside spread features the Party's "Message to America, Delivered on the 107th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation at Washington, D.C. Capitol of Babylon, World Racism, and Imperialism June 19, 1970 by the Black Panther Party." Back page features Huey P. Newton's "Towards a New Constitution." 

The messages contained in this paper outline the position of the Black Panther Party, along with its vision for the future. In "Message to America," the Party calls for a Revolutionary People's Constitutional Convention to write a new constitution "that will guarantee us a society in which Human Rights are supreme and Justice is assured to every man, woman, and child within its jurisdiction." Newton's concluding treatise warns against compromise, calling it "Reactionary Suicide" to accept anything short of the radical change they are seeking. He ends by reminding his readers of the ultimate goal: "I would add that it must always be remembered, understood, and realized, that our one goal is to crush American Capitalism and American Imperialism. Because without this, we can do nothing."

[With:] What do the Panthers Stand For. New York: The Committee to Defend the Panther 21, 1970. 8pp., folio, 11 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (toning, original folds, chipping to edges). A tabloid sheet providing the history and aims of the Black Panther Party issued during the New Haven 21 trail. It includes an 8-point program on the cover, dealing with health, education, food, labor, housing, self-defense, and political organization and communication with other movement groups. The interior prints a statement to Judge Murtagh from the Panther 21 and other coverage of the trial. Variant edition with ad on back page: "We are coming back to New Haven to Stop the New Haven Railroad. Free the Nine. Free Lonnie." 

[With:] 3 pamphlets, including: Facts on Huey P. Newton's Legal Defense in Court. Berkeley, CA: Huey Newton Defense Fund, ca late 1967. -- Black Panther Party for Self Defense Ministry of Information Black Paper. With subheading, "Position of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense on the Seventh Congressional District Election and the Candidacy of John George in the Democratic Party." Oakland, CA: Black Panther Party, 1968. -- Black Panther Party for Self Defense Ministry of Information Black Paper. With subheading, "Revolution in the White Mother Country and National Liberation in the Black Colony." Oakland, CA: Black Panther Party, 1968.

Together, 9 items. Condition generally good to very good.