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Civil Rights and Labor History Consortium / University of Washington

Upton Sinclair's EPIC News

Begun as a monthly tabloid in late December 1933, EPIC News was the campaign's most important communication vehicle. Edited by veteran journalist Reuben Borough and featuring several articles in each issue by Upton Sinclair, the newspaper was sold on the street for 5 cents by campaign volunteers who earned a few pennies from each sale. In addition to campaign news, the paper attracted readers with sensationalistic exposes and attractive political cartoons. In late May the newspaper became a weekly and a San Francisco edition was added as the campaign caught fire and circulation soared.

Here are front pages from most of the 1934 issues (LA edition). Click to enlarge.

Issue 1: Dec 26. 1933

Issue 4: March 1934

Issue 5: April 1934

May 28, 1934

June 4, 1934

June 11, 1934

June 18, 1934

June 25 , 1934

July 2 , 1934

July 9 , 1934

July 16 , 1934

July 23 , 1934

July 30 , 1934

August 6 , 1934

August 13 , 1934

August 28, 1934

August 29 , 1934

September 10 , 1934

September 24 , 1934

October 1 , 1934

October 8, 1934

October 15 , 1934

October 22 , 1934

October 29 , 1934

November 5 , 1934

November 11 , 1934

November 19 , 1934

November 26, 1934

December 3 , 1934

December 10, 1934

December 17, 1934

December 24, 1934

December 31, 1934