Free Angela collection, 1960-2020
Collection context
- Extent:
- 3 linear feet (1 rsc, 1 large framed item, 1 object,)
- Language:
- English
- Scope and content:
-
The Free Angela Davis collection comprises items related to the 'free Angela' movement, dating from dating from 1970 to 1992, with the bulk falling between 1970 and 1972. The collection documents the national and international campaign mounted on Davis's behalf during her imprisonment and trial, and the print and material culture that campaign generated. Roughly fifty lots relate directly to the Free Angela movement: flyers, petitions, ticket forms, and newsletters issued by the National United Committee to Free Angela Davis and by local committees in New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oakland, Memphis, and elsewhere; defense pamphlets reprinting speeches by John Abt, Ralph Abernathy, and Davis herself; underground and movement periodicals including Good Times, Leviathan, and a run of the first thirteen issues of the feminist journal Battle Acts; artist-designed posters; and an original FBI wanted flyer for Davis dated 18 August 1970. Objects include cast medallions, pinback buttons, unopened rolls of stickers, and a large cast bust of Davis accompanied by its original mold, most attributed to the Detroit Black-owned enterprise Blackness Unlimited. Also present are a broadside later signed by Davis, an original signed drawing attributed to a Cuban illustrator, a 1971 LP of recorded interviews with Davis, and a solidarity postcard sent from a schoolchild in the German Democratic Republic. A smaller group of later material documents Davis's vice-presidential candidacies on the Communist Party USA ticket in 1980 and 1984 and her writing and speaking through 1992. Materials are chiefly in English, with items in German and one bilingual English/Spanish flyer.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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Material is unprocessed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
- Terms of access:
-
Single reproductions may be made for research purposes. It is the responsibility of the user to secure permission for publication or use from the appropriate copyright holder.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu