African American Periodical Illustrated Scoop U. S. A. Philadelphia

Author: Driver, Richard (Sonny) (editor) Title: Scoop, U. 17 (Apr 30 1966) Publication: Philadelphia, PA / Camden, NJ: Richard (Sonny) Driver, 1966. Good plus: 5 square section carefully excised from bottom of first leaf, thus rear partially detached; old off-center fold causing some edgewear and creasing; a few tiny tears, light stains and spots of soiling. This is a rare issue of a heavily illustrated and densely packed African American periodical, Scoop, USA.

It appears as though no other early issues of Scoop have survived institutionally, but the brand exists today, per their website, as Philadelphia's oldest, FREE African American weekly newspaper. " It was founded in 1960 by Richard "Sonny Driver as a weekly entertainment guide for Black readers in Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.

For 30 years, Driver made Scoop the leading vehicle for bar and club owners to advertise events at their establishments. He worked with Cecil B. Moore to open Girard College to African American students, and was instrumental in the desegregation of major retail operations in Center City. He also launched a successful campaign to rename a Philly thoroughfare to Martin Luther King Drive. This issue is jam-packed with fantastic photographic images, illustrated advertisements, articles and editorials of interest to the African American communities of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Nearly every announcement of a concert, party or club night has a shot of the performers or hosts, including such stars as Lou Rawls, Kim Weston, jazz organist Shirley Scott and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. We see Sammy Davis Jr. Speaking at Philly's Benjamin Franklin High: Sammy said it was the first time he had talked to students in an assembly. He warned them against dropping out and said if he could make it, they could too.

News articles covered Willie Mays breaking the National League home run record, the death of a local beloved Black beautician and a spotlight on Edward Payne, an African American police officer running for New York's top brass position. There were columns on local gossip and happenings, images of awardwinning Black models, and tons of ads as well as directories of Black-owned businesses in both states. A rare introduction to Black nightlife and entertainment in a few New England hot spots. OCLC shows no physical holdings pre-1994, and then only two institutions with one issue each. This item is offered by Langdon Manor Books, LLC, antiquarian booksellers.

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