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Fifth Estate Records, 1967-2016 (majority within 1982-1999)

17 Linear Feet (34 manuscript boxes)

Politically and socially radical underground newspaper founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1965. The tabloid reflected an anarchist-libertarian philosophy during the 1970s under the influence of the "Eat the Rich Gang," which included editors Peter and Marilyn Werbe. Throughout the 1980s, the Fifth Estate continued to cover local issues and events, along with critiques of modern industrial society and articles covering the radical environmental movement. In 1999, the "Alternative Press Review" described the paper as an "anti-technology, anti-civilization, anarcho-primitivist quarterly."Collection consists of correspondence, business and office records, submissions for possible publication, clippings, flyers, posters, and photographs documenting the activities of the Fifth Estate primarily from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. Financial documents, advertising, subscription and book orders, as well as legal documents regarding lawsuits are included. Correspondents include Bob Black, Peter Werbe, Marilyn Werbe, David Watson, John Zerzan, Lorraine Perlman, and editor (2002- ) Andy Smith (also known under the pseudonyms Sunfrog, Anu Bonobo, and Andrew Smith). The bulk of the audiovisual and digital media relate to Peter Werbe's Late Night radio show that dealt with similar topics as Fifth Estate.

The Fifth Estate Records document the activities of the Fifth Estate newspaper, one of the oldest underground newspapers in the United States. The records date primarily from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. The record group has been divided into eight series: Historical, Correspondence, Publishing Material, Business and Office Records, Topical File, Miscellaneous Anarchist and Social Protest Ephemera, Photographs, and Audiovisual and Digital Media. There is a good deal of overlap among the series due to the work processes of the staff at the Fifth Estate and the lack of organization among the various accessions received by the library.

Folder

Historical

The Historical series is a small series consisting of magazine and newspaper clippings about the history of the Fifth Estate, as well as a retrospective prepared by the staff. Of special note are manuscripts, correspondence and notes related to an extensive history of the early years of the paper written by Bob Hippler in 1990. The series also contains materials from a 50th anniversary retrospective of the publication's history.

Fifth Estate Records, 1967-2016 (majority within 1982-1999)
Folder

Correspondence

The Correspondence series consists of 7 linear feet of material. Although letters date from 1979 to 2016, the bulk of the correspondence dates from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. The majority of the correspondence is addressed to either Peter Werbe or generally to the staff of the Fifth Estate, although correspondence is sometimes addressed to individual staff members such as David Watson, Marilyn Werbe, Andy Smith/"Sunfrog"/"Anu Bonobo". All correspondence has been grouped together to reflect the organizational schemes (or lack of organizational schemes) created by the Fifth Estate itself. Writers such as John Zerzan and Bob Black are well represented in the series. Single letters from Noam Chomsky (July 3, 1985), Andrei Codrescu (April 24, 1984), and Ursula LeGuin (September 23, 2006) are also included. The content of the correspondence varies greatly. Researchers will find letters ranging from short notes asking for samples of the Fifth Estate to lengthy letters debating political theory or current events. The correspondence has been arranged chronologically. Undated correspondence has been placed at the end of each year, if the year is known, or at the end of the series.

Fifth Estate Records, 1967-2016 (majority within 1982-1999)
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