Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
The Golden Legacy Comic Book Collection contains 16 comic book issues from the Golden Legacy Illustrated History Magazine, published from 1966-1976. The focus of the series was educating about Black history. The series was published by Bertram A. Fitzgerald, Jr.'s Fitzgerald Publishing Company.
Publisher Bertram A. Fitzgerald, Jr. was born in 1932 in Harlem, New York, of a Jamaican father and an American mother. He served in the US Air Force, graduated from Brooklyn College, and worked in accounting before turning to educational publishing. He published the Golden Legacy Illustrated History Magazine, stating, "The intention of our publication is to implant pride and self-esteem in black youth while dispelling myths in others. We believe this can be accomplished through our visual presentation of worldwide achievements in an effortless and enjoyable manner with a magazine which can be widely distributed." Fitzgerald believed that history books were missing positive depictions of Black Americans, which had a negative effect on children. Fitzgerald and his wife had three children. He died in 2017 in New York City.
The 16 issues of the Golden Legacy series were published from 1966 to 1976 and focus on Black history and Black historical figures. Biographies include Martin Luther King, Jr.; Harriet Tubman; Frederick Douglass; Thurgood Marshall; and Alexander Dumas. Other issues focused on broader topics, such as Black cowboys and ancient African kingdoms. Some issues also had back-up stories about additional Black historical figures. Bertram A. Fitzgerald, Jr. approached the Coca-Cola Company for funding, which bought and distributed issues to advertise Coca-Cola to Black American communities. The series was endorsed by the NAACP, the New York City Board of Education, the National Urban League, and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History). It was also praised by educators and community leaders. Over 12 million copies have been sold. (Sources: Max Rambod Rare Books; The Golden Legacy website.)
The Golden Legacy Comic Book Collection contains the complete series of 16 comic book issues of the Golden Legacy Illustrated History Magazine, published from 1966 to 1976. The issues are in comic magazine format, each with the length of approximately 32 pages and with color illustrations.
This collection is arranged chronologically in its publication's original volume numbers.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Golden Legacy Comic Book Series Collection, MC 00767, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Purchase, 2025 January (Accession 2025.0002).
Processed by: Laura Abraham, 2025 January. Finding aid by: Laura Abraham, 2025 January.
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Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Golden Legacy Comic Book Series Collection, MC 00767, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.