Repository: Archives & Special Collections, Charles Evans Inniss Memorial Library of Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Location: CEIML ASPC, Suite 0108
Identifier: GLM
Collection Title: Golden Legacy illustrated history magazines, 1966–1976
Name of Creator(s): Fitzgerald Publishing Co., Inc. ; Morris, Jacob (donor)
Inclusive Dates: 1966–1976
Language(s): English
Quantity: 0.5 linear foot

SCOPE AND CONTENT
This collection contains 16 original illustrated history magazines / comic books on Black history, which form a Golden Legacy series.

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
“Golden Legacy” is a series of illustrated history magazines published in 1966-1976. Sixteen magazines were published.
Bertram A. Fitzgerald Jr. (1932–1917) was a pioneering African-American publisher, mostly known for the ground-breaking “Golden Legacy” comic book series initially published in the 1960’s and 70’s. In 1966, Bertram fulfilled his desire to be a voice as an educator of black history. Bertram would be a pioneer in elevating the comic platform to new heights, as well as reaching new demographics that may have had little interest in black history before. Bertram experienced challenges that tested his resolve as a black publisher. He was forced to scale back the business in the late 70’s after some less successful ventures. In 1983, Bertram Joined Mayor Ed Koch’s administration as Communications Director for New York City. He continued in this role till 1990, but he never stopped publishing Golden Legacy, or looking for new publishing ventures. Bertram once wrote, “I started publishing Golden Legacy 30 years ago on a “shoe-string”. Golden Legacy was designed to create greater pride and self-esteem in African-American families and to dispel myths. (It) replaces feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness in black Americans ….with a sense of pride and self-esteem.”
(Obituary published on NYTimes.com from Jan. 12 to Jan. 13, 2017.)
Joan Bacchus Maynard (August 29, 1928 – January 22, 2006) was a writer and penciller for the Golden Legacy line of history comics. Joan’s parents, John and Julia Cooper, told her stories about the plight of blacks. After graduating from Empire State College of the State University of New York, Joan worked as a commercial artist for McGraw-Hill and other companies. In addition to the work that she did with comic books, she also drew covers for Crisis, the magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In addition to her art work, Joan is best known for her efforts in preserving the historic black settlement Weeksville in Brooklyn.
(Alexander, M. A., & Harris, M. B. (2017). We did that!: Stories of black achievement, perseverance, and excellence.)

INDEX TERMS (Institutions; Individual names)
Fitzgerald Publishing Co., Inc.
Weeksville Heritage Center
Fitzgerald, Bertram A., 1932–1917, publisher
Bacchus Maynard, Joan, 1928–2006, author, artist, activist
Carty, Leo, 1931–2010, artist
Darden, Howard, artist, author
Feelings, Tom, 1933–2003, artist, author, activist
Jackson, Ezra, artist
Perlin, Don, 1929–, artist
Tallarico, Tony, 1933–, artist

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Acquisition Information: This collection was donated to the Archives of the Charles Evans Inniss Memorial Library, Medgar Evers College, CUNY in 2018 by Mr. Jacob Morris, Director of the NYC Freedom Trail Foundation.
Processing Information: Collection processing and finding aid were completed by Yelena Novitskaya, MEC Archives and Special Collections librarian, in 2019.
Conditions of Access and Use: Access to the collection is unrestricted. It is available for research purposes. Duplication of the collection may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.
Physical Access: Appointment is required for access.

COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT
The 16 original illustrated history magazines are arranged chronologically (in the order of appearance) in 1 box and shelved in the Archives.

COLLECTION INVENTORY AND DESCRIPTION
Volume 1 – The Saga of Toussaint L’Ouverture and the Birth of Haiti (1966)
Writer: Leo Carty
Art: Leo Carty
Volume 2 – The Saga of Harriet Tubman, the Moses of her people (1966)
Writer: Joan Bacchus
Art: Pencils: Joan Bacchus
Inks: Tom Feelings
Volume 3 – Crispus Attucks and the Minutemen (1967)
Writer: Tom Feelings
Art: Tom Feelings and Ezra Jackson
Volume 4 – The Life of Benjamin Banneker (1968)
Writer: Francis Taylor
Art: Ezra Jackson
Volume 5 – The Life of Matthew Henson (1969)
Writer: Joan Bacchus
Art: Joan Bacchus
Volume 6 – Alexander Dumas and Family (1969)
Writer: Bertram Fitzgerald
Art: Ezra Jackson
Volume 7 – Frederick Douglas Part 1 (1969)
Writer: Bertram Fitzgerald
Art: Howard Darden
Volume 8 – Frederick Douglas Part 2 (1970)
Writer: Bertram Fitzgerald
Art: Howard Darden
Volume 9 – The Life of Robert Smalls (1970)
Writer: Bertram Fitzgerald, Don Perlin
Art: Don Perlin
Volume 10 – Joseph Cinque and the Amistad Mutiny (1970)
Writer: Joan Bacchus
Art: Joan Bacchus
Volume 11 – Men of Action: White, Wilkins & Marshall (1970)
Writer: Bertram Fitzgerald
Art: Ezra Jackson, Don Perlin, Tony Tallarico
Volume 12 – Black Cowboys (1972)
Writer: Don Perlin
Art: Don Perlin
Volume 13 – Martin Luther King, Jr. (1972)
Writer: Bertram Fitzgerald
Art: Don Perlin
Volume 14 – The Life of Alexander Pushkin (1972)
Writer: Warren Parker
Art: Tony Tallarico
Volume 15 – Ancient African Kingdom (1972)
Writer: Robert Fitzgerald
Art: Howard Darden
Volume 16 – The Black Inventors Latimer and Woods (1976)
Writer: Bertram A Fitzgerald
Art: Leo Carty, Tony Tallarico