Guide Text-The Messenger: World's Greatest Negro Monthly, January 1925

The Messenger: World's Greatest Negro Monthly. January 1925.
Published monthly by the Messenger Publishing Co., Inc., New York, N.Y. Editors: A. Philip Randolph and Chandler Owen. Subscription $1.75 a year.

Entire issue reproduced as facsimile page images. 40 pages.

Selected Page and Title List:

np Front Cover

2 Advertisement for The Chicago Defender, a major African-American Newspaper.

3 Table of Contents

3 Advertisements for The Commonwealth Sporting Club, two novels by Georgia Douglas Johnson (Bronze and The Heart of a Woman), The Co-operative League of America, Frank & Meyers (hardware, house furnishings), and Leo Brecher, managing director of the New Douglas Theatre and The Roosevelt Theatre.

5 "The Binga State Bank" is an advertisement which discusses the origins and development of an important Chicago financial institution and reviews the life of its African-American founder, Jesse Binga. The success of the Binga State Bank, according to this text, has resulted in more loans being channeled into African-American regional, commercial enterprises.

6 Advertisement for Chicago taxicab company.

7 Advertisement for Hotel Street in Kansas City, Missouri.

8 Advertisement for Watkins Bros. Undertaking Company in Kansas City, Missouri.

10 Advertisement for Lincoln Union Fire Insurance Company of Chicago, Illinois. This two-page display draws a connection between Lincoln's destruction of the American system of slavery, under which African-American slaves were held as property, and the right of African Americans to acquire property of their own. Stressing that white insurers inadequately protect black property from fire, the company urges The Messenger's readership to invest in the 4,000 shares it is offering for sale.

12 Commendations of The Messenger by its major advertisers.

14 "Same Old Blues" by Theophilus Lewis laments what he considers to be the lack of serious African-American theater and explores some of the historical reasons why this is so. Lewis believes that black thespians should not simply imitate white theatrical conventions but should strive to make distinct contributions of their own.

16 "Showfolks More Than Mere Entertainers: The Performers and Their Patrons Cogs in the Wheel of Race Relations" by James A. Jackson maintains that black performers may be "our greatest advocates in the court of race relations." Jackson talks about how actors, singers, dancers, and musicians have made positive contributions to improved attitudes among white audiences by generating enthusiasm for black talents, achievements, and perspectives.

18 "Theatre" by Theophilus Lewis is a column devoted, in this issue, to a negative review of Lew Leslie's From Dixie to Broadway. Theophilus Lewis describes the show as "extremely shoddy, garish, and vulgar."

20 "Editorials" include "Do Negroes Want High Class Anything," which explores why there is little demand for refined, luxurious products or experiences among prosperous African Americans. Also included are descriptions of interviews by George Schuyler with the actress, Florence Mills, and the female impersonator, Andrew Tribble.

23 "New Ideas on Art" by Chandler Owen hypothesizes that beauty and truth are not indispensable to art. Evoking nature and sentimentalizing the past, according to Owen, also elicit emotional responses from audiences who actually prefer modern, urbanized, technologically sophisticated civilization.

25 "The Letters of Davy Carr" is the first installment of an epistolary narrative which looks at genteel life among African Americans In Washington, D.C.

27 Advertisement for Washington's Lincoln Theatre which aligns itself with the "Negro Play Movement."

28 The Yellow Peril, a one-act play by George S. Schuyler, satirizes color consciousness among African Americans. It also pokes fun at the mercenary courtship habits of an octoroon living in Harlem.

32 "An Actor's Wanderings and Hopes" by Paul Robeson sets forth his aspirations and discusses the challenges he faces as an African-American actor. Robeson speaks about the complexity of performing in plays with difficult racial themes or uttering repugnant lines. Particular attention is paid to Eugene O'Neill's "All God's Chillun."

32 "From Hattie's Point of View" by Dora Cole Norman looks at how Norman interprets the role of Hattie in Eugene O'Neill's "All God's Chillun."

35 "Shafts and Darts: A Page of Calumny and Satire" by George S. Schuyler and Theophilus Lewis targets the Klan, eugenics, blood-based definitions of race, the sterilization of potential criminals, Calvin Coolidge, and various Christian denominations. Both authors proclaim themselves to be atheists.

37 "B. G. Collier of the Knights of Pythias of Pennsylvania" by Chandler Owen, contains an interview with the Grand Chancellor of that organization. Owen makes a tour of what may be America's first black-owned fraternal society building, Philadelphia's Pythian Temple.

42 Advertisement for Joseph Trent, Building Construction. This firm built the Pythian Temple and many other buildings associated with African-American civic life in Philadelphia.

43 Photograph of Dr. J. E. Dibble, a physician and specialist in industrial medicine, surgery, and occupational diseases. Biographical details and excerpts from previously published materials are included.

44 "Sammy Stewart's Orchestra" is an article, illustrated with photographs, which tracks the important venues of a midwestern African-American dance orchestra whose repertoire ranged from the classics to blues and jazz. The orchestra's venues were located in urban centers of Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.

46 "Whitney & Tutt Co." contains detailed biographical information about Salem Tutt Whitney and J. Homer Tutt, two entertainers, playwrights, and theatrical entrepreneurs. The adjoining page contains information about Donald Heywood and The Harmony Maids, musicians who worked regularly with Whitney & Tutt. Photographs included.

48 "Charles H. Turpin" was a theatrical entrepreneur who started the Booker Washington Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. A photographic portrait is included with this biography.

50 "S. H. Dudley" was a veteran producer of theatrical entertainments and also the Vice-President and Eastern Representative of The Theatre Owners' Booking Association. This article, which is accompanied by photographs, presents his opinions on the state of black theatre as well as additional biographical information.

52 "Plain Tablet in Memory of Leaders" describes a meeting in Philadelphia between the artist, H. O. Tanner, Rev. H. P. Anderson of Mother Bethel A. M. E. Church, and other representative citizens who wished to commemorate Richard Allen, a founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and notable African-American leaders Absalom Jones, Peter Ogden, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington. Tanner was commissioned to design a sculptured panel forming the top of the tablet. Photographs and testimonials are included.

60 "Edward H. Wilson" is an article by A. Philip Randolph about the proprietor of the Olga Hotel, a New York hostelry for African Americans. In addition to biographical material about Wilson, the article includes his thoughts about doing business as a black man both in the South and in the North. Photographs are included.

64 Advertisement for Stasweet, a deodorant.

70 Advertisement for New Manhatten Casino, a ballroom and social hall complete with basketball court.

75 Advertisement for Dr. E. S. Lee hair preparations.

76 Advertisement for Chicago's Sunset Cafe which features leading black entertainers and also Sammy Stewart's Orchestra, "the colored edition of Paul Whiteman's New York musical aggregation." Acrostic verse is included.

np	Front Cover
2	Advertisement for The Chicago Defender, a major African-American Newspaper.
3	Table of Contents
3	Advertisements for The Commonwealth Sporting Club, two novels by Georgia Douglas Johnson (Bronze and The Heart of a Woman), The Co-operative League of America, Frank & Meyers (hardware, house furnishings), and Leo Brecher, managing director of the New Douglas Theatre and The Roosevelt Theatre.
5	"The Binga State Bank" is an advertisement which discusses the origins and development of an important Chicago financial institution and reviews the life of its African-American founder, Jesse Binga. The success of the Binga State Bank, according to this text, has resulted in more loans being channeled into African-American regional, commercial enterprises.
6	Advertisement for Chicago taxicab company.
7	Advertisement for Hotel Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
8	Advertisement for Watkins Bros. Undertaking Company in Kansas City, Missouri.
10	Advertisement for Lincoln Union Fire Insurance Company of Chicago, Illinois. This two-page display draws a connection between Lincoln's destruction of the American system of slavery, under which African-American slaves were held as property, and the right of African Americans to acquire property of their own. Stressing that white insurers inadequately protect black property from fire, the company urges The Messenger's readership to invest in the 4,000 shares it is offering for sale.
12	Commendations of The Messenger by its major advertisers.
14	"Same Old Blues" by Theophilus Lewis laments what he considers to be the lack of serious African-American theater and explores some of the historical reasons why this is so. Lewis believes that black thespians should not simply imitate white theatrical conventions but should strive to make distinct contributions of their own.
16	"Showfolks More Than Mere Entertainers: The Performers and Their Patrons Cogs in the Wheel of Race Relations" by James A. Jackson maintains that black performers may be "our greatest advocates in the court of race relations." Jackson talks about how actors, singers, dancers, and musicians have made positive contributions to improved attitudes among white audiences by generating enthusiasm for black talents, achievements, and perspectives.
18	"Theatre" by Theophilus Lewis is a column devoted, in this issue, to a negative review of Lew Leslie's From Dixie to Broadway. Theophilus Lewis describes the show as "extremely shoddy, garish, and vulgar."
20	"Editorials" include "Do Negroes Want High Class Anything," which explores why there is little demand for refined, luxurious products or experiences among prosperous African Americans. Also included are descriptions of interviews by George Schuyler with the actress, Florence Mills, and the female impersonator, Andrew Tribble.
23	"New Ideas on Art" by Chandler Owen hypothesizes that beauty and truth are not indispensable to art. Evoking nature and sentimentalizing the past, according to Owen, also elicit emotional responses from audiences who actually prefer modern, urbanized, technologically sophisticated civilization.
25	"The Letters of Davy Carr" is the first installment of an epistolary narrative which looks at genteel life among African Americans In Washington, D.C.
27	Advertisement for Washington's Lincoln Theatre which aligns itself with the "Negro Play Movement."
28	The Yellow Peril, a one-act play by George S. Schuyler, satirizes color consciousness among African Americans. It also pokes fun at the mercenary courtship habits of an octoroon living in Harlem.
32	"An Actor's Wanderings and Hopes" by Paul Robeson sets forth his aspirations and discusses the challenges he faces as an African-American actor. Robeson speaks about the complexity of performing in plays with difficult racial themes or uttering repugnant lines. Particular attention is paid to Eugene O'Neill's "All God's Chillun."
32	"From Hattie's Point of View" by Dora Cole Norman looks at how Norman interprets the role of Hattie in Eugene O'Neill's "All God's Chillun."
35	"Shafts and Darts: A Page of Calumny and Satire" by George S. Schuyler and Theophilus Lewis targets the Klan, eugenics, blood-based definitions of race, the sterilization of potential criminals, Calvin Coolidge, and various Christian denominations. Both authors proclaim themselves to be atheists.
37	"B. G. Collier of the Knights of Pythias of Pennsylvania" by Chandler Owen, contains an interview with the Grand Chancellor of that organization. Owen makes a tour of what may be America's first black-owned fraternal society building, Philadelphia's Pythian Temple.
42	Advertisement for Joseph Trent, Building Construction. This firm built the Pythian Temple and many other buildings associated with African-American civic life in Philadelphia.
43	Photograph of Dr. J. E. Dibble, a physician and specialist in industrial medicine, surgery, and occupational diseases. Biographical details and excerpts from previously published materials are included.
44	"Sammy Stewart's Orchestra" is an article, illustrated with photographs, which tracks the important venues of a midwestern African-American dance orchestra whose repertoire ranged from the classics to blues and jazz. The orchestra's venues were located in urban centers of Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.
46	"Whitney & Tutt Co." contains detailed biographical information about Salem Tutt Whitney and J. Homer Tutt, two entertainers, playwrights, and theatrical entrepreneurs. The adjoining page contains information about Donald Heywood and The Harmony Maids, musicians who worked regularly with Whitney & Tutt. Photographs included.
48	"Charles H. Turpin" was a theatrical entrepreneur who started the Booker Washington Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. A photographic portrait is included with this biography.
50	"S. H. Dudley" was a veteran producer of theatrical entertainments and also the Vice-President and Eastern Representative of The Theatre Owners' Booking Association. This article, which is accompanied by photographs, presents his opinions on the state of black theatre as well as additional biographical information.
52	"Plain Tablet in Memory of Leaders" describes a meeting in Philadelphia between the artist, H. O. Tanner, Rev. H. P. Anderson of Mother Bethel A. M. E. Church, and other representative citizens who wished to commemorate Richard Allen, a founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and notable African-American leaders Absalom Jones, Peter Ogden, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington. Tanner was commissioned to design a sculptured panel forming the top of the tablet. Photographs and testimonials are included.
60	"Edward H. Wilson" is an article by A. Philip Randolph about the proprietor of the Olga Hotel, a New York hostelry for African Americans. In addition to biographical material about Wilson, the article includes his thoughts about doing business as a black man both in the South and in the North. Photographs are included.
64	Advertisement for Stasweet, a deodorant.
70	Advertisement for New Manhatten Casino, a ballroom and social hall complete with basketball court.
75	Advertisement for Dr. E. S. Lee hair preparations.
76	Advertisement for Chicago's Sunset Cafe which features leading black entertainers and also Sammy Stewart's Orchestra, "the colored edition of Paul Whiteman's New York musical aggregation." Acrostic verse is included.