The Vanguard: a register of those in front

Abstract

"A tri-annual register of the active of African descent in New York and New Jersey", 1933-1936; "A tri-annual register of the elite of African descent in New York", 1936-1941. Cover titles of The Vanguard varied through the years. It began in 1933 as simply "The Vanguard," with later issues entitled: "The Vanguard: a classified directory," "The Vanguard: a classified directory and guide to the best in Harlem." The bulk of the collection is entitled "The Vanguard: a register of those in front." The Vanguard sometimes featured a short editorial on its first page. An index is often featured on the opposing page or following page. The directory opens with residential listings - sometimes separated by private and apartment dwellings - followed by listings for professionals, organizations and businesses grouped under broad categories, and then general information. The inside and back cover pages often contain advertisements. The Vanguard also contained a number of special features, including but not limited to: recent death notices; notices of newly opened businesses; suggestions for what to do/where to go when visiting Harlem; coverage of recent events; historical and contemporary facts and figures related to the African diaspora (for example: biographical sketches, athletic records, and listings of cities by Black population).

Dates / Origin

Date issued: 1933

Place: New York

Library locations

Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy

Shelf locator: IEC (Vanguard)