Finding Aid to African American Posters from the Elizabeth and James Abajian Collection of Afro-Americana
Bancroft Library staff
The Bancroft Library
2016
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: African American posters from the Elizabeth and James Abajian collection of Afro-Americana
creator:
Abajian, James de T.
Identifier/Call Number: BANC PIC 1982.034
Physical Description:
69 prints
in 1 box and 3 oversize folders
Date (inclusive): approximately 1960-1975, bulk 1967-1970
Abstract: Posters promoting African American cultural events and political issues, particularly in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be
required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult
the library's online catalog.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The African American posters from the Elizabeth and James Abajian collection of Afro-Americana were given to The Bancroft
Library by
James de T. Abajian.
Arrangement
Items grouped by size and roughly grouped by topical content within each size group (i.e. political posters were grouped together,
cultural event promotions were grouped together, etc.) Items 1-54 (size C) are smaller than 20x24 in.; items 55-64 (size
D) are between 20x24 and 24x36 in.; items 65-68 (size E) are between 24x36 and 32x40 in.; item 69 (size F) is larger than
32x40 in.
Biographical Note
Collector James de Tarr Abajian (1914-1986), bibliographer and historian of African American history, was the chief librarian
of the California Historical Society from 1949-1968. He was also director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Special Collection
at San Francisco Public Library from 1969-1971.
Note
Within this listing, "signed" refers to a printed signature of an artist within the print, not an autograph.
The listing provided is a brief title list only.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], [African American posters from the Elizabeth and James Abajian collection of Afro-Americana, BANC
PIC 1982.034,The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Processing Information
Items were grouped by size and foldered in the 1980s. In 2016 items were rearranged with like subjects together within each
size designation and were assigned item numbers and inventoried.
Related Materials
James de T. Abajian papers (BANC MSS 86/213 c)
James de T. Abajian index files and scrapbooks, 1950-1986 (BANC MSS 86/206 c)
James de T. Abajian African American bibliography correspondence (BANC MSS 85/137 c)
James de T. Abajian collection of Black (African-American) ephemera (BANC MSS 82/77 c)
African Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area: photographs from the Elizabeth and James Abajian collection of Afro-Americana
(BANC PIC 1985.079)
African American greeting cards from the Elizabeth and James Abajian collection of Afro-Americana (BANC PIC 1982.036)
Portraits of African-Americans from the Elizabeth and James Abajian collection of Afro-Americana (BANC PIC 1982.035)
Content Description
Collection of posters promoting African American cultural events and political issues, particularly in San Francisco and the
Bay Area. Some Black Panther posters included.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African Americans--California
Posters
Abajian, James de T.
Black Panther Party
item 1
BANC PIC 1982.034:01--C
People's Park Memorial March...May 30,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 2
BANC PIC 1982.034:02--C
1963, The Black Man's Declaration of Independence,
1963
Physical Description:
1 print
item 3
BANC PIC 1982.034:03--C
Free All Political Prisoners,
[October 1971]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 4
BANC PIC 1982.034:04--C
Defend "Los Siete de la Raza" Dance... Sat. August 9,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 5
BANC PIC 1982.034:05--C
Free the San Quentin 6,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 6
BANC PIC 1982.034:06--C
Freedom Troupe!... May 28 & 29, '69,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 7
BANC PIC 1982.034:07--C
[African American girl looking up, below burning, backwards American flag] / Painting by David Bradford, Photographed by Baldwin
Ellis,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 8
BANC PIC 1982.034:08--C
One of our main purposes is to unify our brothers and sisters... Design by: Emory, Minister of Culture, Black Panther Party,
[1970]
Physical Description:
1 print
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 9
BANC PIC 1982.034:09--C
"Revolution in our lifetime." Design by: Emory, Minister of Culture, Black Panther Party,
[1970?]
Physical Description:
1 print
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 10
BANC PIC 1982.034:10--C
"Revolution in our lifetime." Design by: Emory Minister of Culture, Black Panther Party,
[1970?]
Physical Description:
1 print
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 11
BANC PIC 1982.034:11--C
[African American woman holding child. Child holding barrel of a pistol],
1967
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory '67. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 12
BANC PIC 1982.034:12--C
Wherever death may surprise us... [Che Guevara quotation],
[approximately 1968]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 13
BANC PIC 1982.034:13--C
[African American woman speaking to naked child who holds a toy dart rifle],
1967
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory 10-67. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 14
BANC PIC 1982.034:14--C
"Only on the bones of the oppressors..." [Smaller print],
1967
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory '67. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 15
BANC PIC 1982.034:15--C
"Only on the Bones of the Oppressors..." [Larger print],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory '67. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 16
BANC PIC 1982.034:16--C
[Boy with gun on back advertising Black Panther publications] [Larger print],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 17
BANC PIC 1982.034:17--C
[Boy with gun on back advertising Black Panther publications] [Smaller print],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 18
BANC PIC 1982.034:18--C
"In Revolution one wins, or one dies." [Uniformed militant with rifle in semi-silhouette, printed in blue and black. Smaller
print],
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 19
BANC PIC 1982.034:19--C
"In Revolution one wins, or one dies." [Uniformed militant with rifle in semi-silhouette, printed in blue and black. Larger
print],
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
General
Signed: Emory. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 20
BANC PIC 1982.034:20--C
Free Huey. [Boy in tattered clothes, crying, with a rifle on his back and wearing a "Free Huey" button. Smaller print],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory '69. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 21
BANC PIC 1982.034:21--C
Free Huey. [Boy in tattered clothes, crying, with a rifle on his back and wearing a "Free Huey" button. Larger print],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory '69. (Black Panther Party poster.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglas, Emory
item 22
BANC PIC 1982.034:22--C
An Attack Against One Is An Attack Against All...,
[1969?]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Panther of Black Panther Party logo prominently at center.
item 23
BANC PIC 1982.034:23--C
An Attack Against One Is An Attack Against All...,
[December 1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Black Panther logo prominently presented in center.
item 24
BANC PIC 1982.034:24--C
Black is, baby! [African American woman in front of repeated words, "Black Is, Baby!"],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Copyright William J. Morris 1969
item 25
BANC PIC 1982.034:25--C
Black Is Beautiful! [African American showing peace sign],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Copyright Morris-Greene 1969.
item 26
BANC PIC 1982.034:26--C
"Maiden Voyage." A One Man Show by Phillip Lindsay Mason. March 13-May 31,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 27
BANC PIC 1982.034:27--C
Fela Ransome - Kuti and His Koola Lobitos...African Soul Music. July 19, 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 28
BANC PIC 1982.034:28--C
Belafonte, Masonic Auditorium. September 19-28,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 29
BANC PIC 1982.034:29--C
Christopher Isherwood, Readings and Conversation. September 13,
[1979]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 30
BANC PIC 1982.034:30--C
RHINOCERVS [fluorescent decorative blacklight poster of a rhinoceros],
[1970]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 31
BANC PIC 1982.034:31--C
Zeus [Stylized face placed above multi-colored background],
[1970]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 32
BANC PIC 1982.034:32--C
Mad anarchist printer needs a groovy chick to share and love...[stylized words],
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 33
BANC PIC 1982.034:33--C
Thelonious Monk, Dr. John the Night Trigger, The Charlatans. May 3-5,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Rick Shubb in lower right.
item 34
BANC PIC 1982.034:34--C
[Oakland Tribune article on Phillip Lindsay Mason. April 20, 1969],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 35
BANC PIC 1982.034:35--C
SF Black Writer's [sic] Workshop presents... Wed, July 30 [1969],
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 36
BANC PIC 1982.034:36--C
San Francisco Negro History Week Celebration. February 12-15, 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 37
BANC PIC 1982.034:37--C
Grassroots production presents... May 30-31,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 38
BANC PIC 1982.034:38--C
Oscar Brown Jr. will appear in a cultural program... May 1,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 39
BANC PIC 1982.034:39--C
CCSF presents Black Light Explosion Company... June,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 40
BANC PIC 1982.034:40--C
The Duncan Company of Dancers & Musicians (Ballet Afro-Haiti) presents... August 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 41
BANC PIC 1982.034:41--C
BSU and the Falanies presents Afro Ball 69... June 27, 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 42
BANC PIC 1982.034:42--C
Kappa Alpha Psi... presents, "Never Back to Georgia!" September 16, 1966,
1966
Physical Description:
1 print
item 43
BANC PIC 1982.034:43--C
Ebony Fashion Fair presents Colorballoo... December 9, 1966,
1966
Physical Description:
1 print
item 44
BANC PIC 1982.034:44--C
Kelly-Cole Productions presents Nat King Cole in person... April 24-30,
[1965]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 45
BANC PIC 1982.034:45--C
BSU CCF presents The Jumla Wahi Players... March 16,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 46
BANC PIC 1982.034:46--C
Youth for Service presents The 2nd Annual Youth Festival... August 30,
[1947?]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 47
BANC PIC 1982.034:47--C
Western Addition Black Guards Security presents... August 16, 1970,
1970
Physical Description:
1 print
item 48
BANC PIC 1982.034:48--C
...Benefit Show and Dance for the Spring 1969 Black Youth Seminar... May 17, 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 49
BANC PIC 1982.034:49--C
Young Holt Unlimited Showcase, May 16-18,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 50
BANC PIC 1982.034:50--C
Artist Roundhouse Enterprises, Inc. presents... April 18, 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 51
BANC PIC 1982.034:51--C
Artist Roundhouse Enterprises, Inc. presents... April 18, 1969,
1969
Physical Description:
1 print
item 52
BANC PIC 1982.034:52--C
California Negro Trailblazers... February 1-26,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 53
BANC PIC 1982.034:53--C
"The Parade of Youth at the Piano..." April 27, 1968,
1968
Physical Description:
1 print
item 54
BANC PIC 1982.034:54--C
The Longshoremen Papa's Club Presents a Benefit Show and Dance... August 23,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 55
BANC PIC 1982.034:55--D
By Lifting Their Hands Against "Bunchy..." Assassinated: January 17, 1969,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Black Panther party poster, attributed to Emory Douglas.
item 56
BANC PIC 1982.034:56--D
"The Racist Dog Policemen Must Withdraw Immediately..." [Huey P. Newton quotation],
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Black Panther party poster.
item 57
BANC PIC 1982.034:57--D
Ann Weldon in Concert. March 20-22,
[1970]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 58
BANC PIC 1982.034:58--D
Madness. June 15,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 59
BANC PIC 1982.034:59--D
Black Moses. Photo and Painting by Rudy McClain. ,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 60
BANC PIC 1982.034:60--D
Med Själ Och Hjärta... 6/2-13/2 [1969] [Heart and Soul. Poster for musical performance in Stockholm, Sweden],
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: LA [?] Lunderberg 69 in pencil lower left of the poster.
item 61
BANC PIC 1982.034:61--D
Med Själ Och Hjärta... 20/2-27/2 [1969] [Heart and Soul. Poster for musical performance in Stockholm, Sweden],
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 62
BANC PIC 1982.034:62--D
New York Artists Are Coming to California State College at Hayward,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 63
BANC PIC 1982.034:63--D
Third Annual Madri Gras. Feb 7th,
[1970]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 64
BANC PIC 1982.034:64--D
The West Oakland Festival of the Arts... May 3rd and 4th,
[1969]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 65
BANC PIC 1982.034:65--E
The fascists... decided in advance to murder Chairman Bobby Seale in the electric chair,
[1970?]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Signed: Emory. (Black Panther party poster.)
item 66
BANC PIC 1982.034:66--E
"The racist dog policemen must withdraw immediately..." [Huey P. Newton quotation] [Huey Newton sitting in rattan chair holding
gun and spear],
[1968?]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Black Panther party poster.
item 67
BANC PIC 1982.034:67--E
The wheel of the law turns without pause... [Ho Chi Minh quotation]. American Documentary Films,
[undated]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 68
BANC PIC 1982.034:68--E
Romare Bearden, The Prevalence of Ritual Paintings/Collages. March 25-June 7, 1971,
[1971]
Physical Description:
1 print
item 69
BANC PIC 1982.034:69--F
U.S. Get Out of Vietman; Stop Johnson's War [Chinese anti-war poster featuring African American man], ,
[1966?]
Physical Description:
1 print
Note
Attributed to Cao Youcheng and Meng Guang.
“Resolutely support the American people in their resistance against American imperialist aggression in Vietnam.” Down with
Imperialism!" (Source of translation unknown. Quoted from a blog posting and presumed to be a transcription from the Chinese
on the poster.)
