THE MORNING JOURNAL

Kingston, Jamaica: (The Morning, 1842. Very good plus.. Rare issue (Monday October 31st, 1842) of this essential daily Jamaican newspaper, founded by one of the country's most important abolitionists and reformers, Edward Jordon. Founded by Jordon and Robert Osborn (who edited it until 1863, though the paper continued until 1875), THE MORNING JOURNAL was "a political voice for Jamaica's sizable mulatto population [and] also represented the island's reform-minded public officials and merchants" (Ripley and Finkenbine 160). Jordon and Osborn originally founded the more fiery and overly political newspaper the WATCHMAN in 1829 — which eventually became THE MORNING JOURNAL after Jamaica's 1838 abolition of slavery — to advocate for greater civil rights for the island's Black population, an effort that eventually landed Jordon in jail for libel. His forceful push for reforms eventually earned him the nickname among his countrymen "untitled ruler of a ransomed nation."

Jordon's success can in many ways be seen in this issue, which shows a Jamaica after abolition, dominated by the mundane daily goings-on in and around Kingston, including the arrivals and departures of various ships (each with a small woodcut of a ship), goods for sale ("prime codfish," barrels), reports from the Assembly, and many advertisements — including for perfumes and personal care products (bear grease for hair), food (ketchup, olives, almonds), as well as a large ad for wine, Madeira, and other spirits.

A remarkably well-preserved example of this ephemeral periodical which the American Antiquarian Society lists among the titles of their Black Self-Publishing project. 20.75'' x 15''. Original letterpressed self-wrappers. [4] pages. Two old folds, across and lengthwise. Minor edgewear, soil, toning. Two contemporary penned ownership marks to top of first page. Else sound. (Inventory #: 52695)