Collections : [University of Michigan Special Collections Research Center]

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.

Stew Albert, a founding member of the Yippies, was a political activist, writer, journalist, and unindicted co-conspirator in the "Chicago Seven" case in 1968. The Stew Albert and Judy Gumbo Albert Papers offer insight into the lives of two activists who were involved in anti-Vietnam war protests, members of the Youth International Party (Yippies), and had ties to groups such as the Black Panther Party and the Weather Underground. The collection contains a variety of materials, including manuscripts, FBI files and court documents, photographs, slides, and negatives, artwork, audiovisual material, realia, scrapbooks, and posters.

The Stew Albert and Judy Gumbo Albert Papers offer insight into the lives of two activists who were involved in anti-Vietnam war protests, members of the Youth International Party (Yippies), and had ties to groups such as the Black Panther Party and the Weather Underground. This collection contains a variety of materials, including manuscripts, FBI files and court documents, photographs, slides, and negatives, artwork, audiovisual material, realia, scrapbooks, and posters. Besides documenting their lives and activities, the collection also offers a glimpse into an aspect of American activism in the 1960s and afterwards, including antiwar protests and the women's liberation movement. The Alberts had close ties to other prominent figures in the movement, such as Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, who are well-represented in this collection through writings, correspondence, photographs, and audio interviews.

With roughly 28 linear feet of materials, the Stew Albert and Judy Gumbo Albert papers are divided into 12 series: Manuscripts and Writings; Name and Correspondence; Personal; Topical Files; FBI Files; Court Documents; Photographs, Slides, and Negatives; Artwork; Audiovisual; Realia; Scrapbooks; and Posters. Researchers should note that books have been separated from the collection and cataloged individually.