Peoples Forum: A Community News Service (12 original issues of the newsletter for Jim Jones' People's Temple)
San Francisco: Peoples Temple Christian Church & Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ, 1976-1977.
Twelve issues of the newsletter for Rev. Jim Jones' cult Peoples Temple when it was based in San Francisco. Vol. 1, Numbers 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 12 (plus a variant nearly identical but with "2nd Nov. Issue" on masthead), 13, 14, 16; Vol. 2, Numbers 1, 3, 6. Each issue 4 pp. Various formats, beginning with 8.5" x 11" followed by 8.5" x 14" for the 12th issue, then finally a newspaper format 22.5" x 14". Good condition overall with offsetting from the newsprint issues being stored next to the lighter color paper issues, age toning, minor soiling and some wrinkling, small corner chip to rear wrap of Vol. 1 No. 2. Issues all folded at least once for mailing. Newsprint issues folded in fours slightly irregularly. Rare.
Years before the mass death at Jonestown in Guyana launched Jim Jones' People Temple cult into infamy, it was an active participant in San Francisco's political and social life. This collection of newsletters chronicles the group's gradual estrangement from American culture and opposition to perceived threats by the American government and society, with an increasingly ominous tone, focus on conspiracies, and orientation towards the Sino-Soviet bloc. While People Temple is mainly remembered for its leader, Jim Jones, who was white, its membership was largely African American. Jones' teachings were rooted in earlier Black prophetical Christian movements like that of Father Divine (a largely benign figure who is almost completely forgotten nowadays) and the Civil Rights movement, which had been in remission for easily half a decade by the time these newsletters were published. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the ideological complexities and shifting priorities of an infamous apocalyptic cult.
Price: $8,500