[ABOLITIONIST] [NEWSPAPER] 11 ISSUES OF THE NATIONAL ERA

Washington, D.C., 1853. 26” x 18”, folded in half horizontally. G. Bailey, Jr., Editor and Proprietor; John G. Whittier, Corresponding Editor. This abolitionist newspaper was edited by Gameliel Bailey, the editor of the earlier Cincinnati abolitionist paper, The Philanthropist. Influential in part for its persuasive emotional writing from the noted abolitionist John G. Whittier and others, as well as publishing the first serialized Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1851. ~~These issues contain interesting articles describing a kidnapping written by a former slave in Virginia named C.M. Howard, ads for Free Labor Produce, excerpts from Margaret Smith’s diary, free soil movements in different states, election coverage, poetry written by the formerly enslaved, an entire speech to Congress by James K. Polk, efforts to deport freedman from slave states, and the question of slavery in new territories. Other content include typical business notices, classifieds, international news, etc. ~~Issues are from October 12, 1848, 8 weekly issues from November 9, 1848 – December 28, 1848, and February 10 and 17th, 1853. The 1853 issues are each 2pp only. The last issue is backed with a stiff reinforcement page but the binding is lost; the November 16, 1848 issue has an article cut out of the back page; November 30 has a classified cut out. All other issues are in similar good condition with wear to binding, edges and folds; some discoloration or minor tears. 3 issues contain annotations at the top, “Westin Citizen Chicago”.