M-112: St. Louis Globe-Democrat Collection

DATE: 1875-1986

CREATOR: St. Louis Globe-Democrat

EXTENT: 

  • Approximately 10,000,000 clippings from the St. Louis Globe Democrat and other competing newspapers, from the 1920s-1980s
  • 2 complete microfilm sets from May 20,1875-Oct.29,1986, including the Globe-Democrat's predecessor, the St. Louis Democrat
  • Approximately 225,000 photographs and 700 glass plate negatives, from the 1920s-1980s
  • A complete bound set of final editions
  • Business records

SCOPE: This collection comprises digital and print editions of the complete run of the St. Louis Globe Democrat, from 1875-1986, and includes additional clippings, photographs, negatives, and business records. The clips and photographs provide information about the culture and history of the St. Louis region and state of Missouri.

HISTORY: The St. Louis Globe-Democrat was established in 1875 after two daily newspapers, the St. Louis Democrat and St. Louis Globe, merged. The St. Louis Democrat was founded in 1852 as The Daily Missouri Democrat and advocated for abolition and joining the union as a free state, and the St. Louis Globe was founded in 1872. By the late 1870s, the Globe-Democrat was the most widely-read morning paper in St. Louis and used this base of support to promote civic responsibility, post-Civil War reconstruction, and urban improvement projects.

The Globe-Democrat ceased publication in 1986 due to decreased circulation and advertisement revenue, as well as strikes and labor disputes.

PROVENANCE: The Mercantile Library acquired this collection in 1986.

ACCESS: This is collection M-112. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.

Preferred Citation: When citing the material from this collection, the preferred citation is: From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

INVENTORY

We are in the process of digitizing the St. Louis Globe-Democrat microfilm, clippings, and photographs.

Thanks to a grant from the Missouri State Library, and with the help of the University of Missouri Digital Library and the Missouri Library Network Corporation, the Mercantile Library has digitized the glass plate negatives and a selection of photographs, which are available through the UMSL Digital Library and Missouri Digital Heritage Initiative.

Please contact us or submit a research request form for assistance navigating and accessing the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

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