SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (COLEMAN DIRECTORIES)
1913-1946
MSA SC 5339-56
(Available in digital format only)

From his home in Baltimore City, Robert W. Coleman annually compiled and published the Coleman Directories, from 1914 until his death in 1946. Entitled The First Colored Professional, Clerical, Skilled and Business Directory of Baltimore City, the series provides a wealth of information about Baltimore's local African-American community, with coverage extending to Annapolis and Washington, DC. Later editions also have listings for Wilmington, DE, Wheeling, WV, and Chicago, IL. (Titles vary according to cities included). Featured are African-American businesses, schools, and professionals - in particular, lawyers and doctors - with  photographs of many directory patrons and their business establishments. (These images are best viewed in the Digital Book format).

Imaging of the Coleman directories was made possible through the cooperative efforts of the Commission to Coordinate the Study, Commemoration, & Impact of Slavery's History & Legacy in Maryland, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, The Maryland Historical Society, Morgan State University Morris A. Soper Library,  University of Baltimore Langsdale Library, Mr. Randall K. Burkett, and the Maryland State Archives.
 

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