This past year, I’ve had the incredible fortune to view several rare publications, including a few that might be the only copies in existence. This is my 2023 rare book wishlist.1
The Sunbeam, an illustrated children’s periodical edited by Rufus L. Perry and published in Brooklyn, NY. I don’t know the dates of publication, but it definitely existed in 1869. As far as I can tell, there are no known copies.
The People’s Journal, a periodical published by the African Civilization Society in Brooklyn, New York, also edited by Rufus L. Perry. Unknown dates of publication, but it existed 1868. I can’t find any copies. Other periodicals had this title, which makes searching complicated.
The Freedman’s Torchlight, a monthly periodical published by the African Civilization Society in Brooklyn, New York. This was also edited by Rufus L. Perry. Only one copy of the first edition is known to exist, though it appears the publication existed for longer.
The Freedman’s Primer by the American Tract Society in Boston in 1864. Fisk University used to have a copy was last seen in the 1970s. I’ve tracked down a card catalog record from that time period, so it definitely used to be there. But there is no trace of it now.
My Little Reader by Jane Warren for the American Tract Society in Boston around 1865. Earlier this year I found a copy of the companion volume, My Little Primer.
The Diary of Reverend Israel Perkins Warren, secretary of the American Tract Society in Boston from 1865. The diary surfaced on an episode of antiques roadshow that aired in 2019, but I have no idea what happened to it. You can view an excerpt here: https://www.pbs.org/video/abolitionist-diary-ca-1865-tghwiw/
Joy and Ivy, both created by Amelia E. Johnson in the late 1880s. Both were published in Baltimore, Maryland. I have not determined the exact dates of publication. It appears there are no known copies of either.
The Christian Index by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. Scattered early issues exist, but I’d like to find more. When a Charles Henry Phillips wrote a history of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, he compiled a nearly complete collection.
First Sunday School Reader by the American Baptist Publication Society published in 1865. It appears this was published the same year as the First Reader for Freedmen. 2
- This content was originally posted on Twitter on 12/21/2022 ↩︎
- I found and purchased a copy of the First Sunday School Reader in April 2023. I scanned it and posted it on the Internet Archive at this link: https://archive.org/details/Baptist-SS-Reader ↩︎
Lost History Books 