Path Press Archives
Finding Aid: Path Press Archives
Repository:
Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
 | The Negotiations, Herman C. Gilbert's second novel, was published by Path Press in 1983 and became a literary sensation within the black community. The novel was set in the not-so-distant future (1987), just as black Americans had finished voting to separate from the United States and form an independent nation. It sold over 11,000 copies in hardback, and helped to cement Path Press's position at the forefront of black publishing in Chicago. Maker: Path Press Owner: Bennett Johnson Note: Path Press Archives 8-1, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Draft of a press release for Frank London Brown's Remembrance Ceremony, held upon the publication of Brown's posthumous novel, The Myth Maker, published in December 1969. The ceremony was hosted by Path Press's founders, Bennett Johnson and Herman Gilbert, and featured speakers such as Harold Washington, Margaret Burroughs and John Oliver Killens, amongst others. Maker: Path Press Owner: Bennett Johnson Note: Path Press Archives 4-13, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Photograph taken at the Frank London Brown's Remembrance Ceremony, Path Press's inaugural event, with a clipping from the Chicago Defender announcing the event. Sitting (l to r) are Bennett Johnson and a young Harold Washington; standing is John Oliver Killens, author and Pulitzer Prize nominee. Note: Path Press Archives 003, Vivian G. Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Letter from Reverend Jesse Jackson to Herman Gilbert regarding his contribution to a planned MLK Jr. anthology (never published), 28 April 1969. Maker: Rev. Jesse Jackson Owner: Rev. Jesse Jackson Note: Path Press Archives 27-13, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Letter from Herman Gilbert to Alice Browning, 23 February 1970, with the poem to which Gilbert refers, published in Browning's magazine, Negro Story, in April/May 1946. Maker: Letter: Herman Gilbert Poem: Herman Gilbert Owner: Letter: Mrs. Edna S. Gilbert Poem: Negro Story Note: Path Press Archives 20-22, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Letter from Herman Gilbert to Enoch Waters regarding American Diary (1987), with a heavily edited manuscript page from the book, and a surprisingly appreciative note from Waters in response, 18 February 1983. Maker: Path Press Owner: Bennett Johnson Note: Path Press Archives 14-3, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Herman Gilbert's answers to an interview question posed by James Kwame Clay after the publication of The Negotiations (1983), 22 June 1984. As Gilbert's first published poem also suggests, Gilbert started writing while serving as a soldier stationed in India in World War II. Maker: Herman Gilbert Owner: Mrs. Edna S. Gilbert Note: Path Press Archives 8-2, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Flyer for Herman Gilbert at the Round Table for African-American History, held at the DuSable Museum, 18 November 1984. Maker: African-American History Round Table Note: Path Press Archives 8-4, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Zack and Herman Gilbert, ca. 1984. Zack, Herman's brother and an established poet, published Up North Big City Street (1987) with Path Press, and offered his editing, illustration and layout services to the press throughout its run. Maker: Eugene B. Redmond Owner: Eugene B. Redmond Note: Path Press Archives 015, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Ben Wilson was a high school basketball star who was shot to death the day before the first game of his senior season. His fame shone national attention on inner-city violence and the insufficiency of many hospitals in poor areas, and Path Press published his mother's account of the tragedy in 1987. Featuring a forward by the mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington, the book sold 4,000 copies in hardback and 9,000 in copies paperback. Mary Wilson is shown here with Jesse Jackson, planning Benji's funeral in Reverend Jackson's home, 1984 (photo credit: John White, Chicago Sun-Times). Maker: John H. White Owner: John H. White/Chicago Sun-Times Note: Path Press Archives 070, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | Hand-drawn mock-up of the cover of American Diary, by Enoch P. Waters, published in 1987. Maker: Enoch Waters Note: Path Press Archives 14-6, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
 | First page of a lost Negotiations screenplay adapted by Reginald Clifford Williams, ca. 15 July 1988, with a note from Bennett Johnson, 16 January 1991. The Path Press Archive also features a full screenplay of The Negotiations, adapted by Lenwood Robinson. Maker: Reginald Clifford Williams Owner: Reginald Clifford Williams, or his estate Note: Path Press Archives 28-2, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |