The Fifth Estate Newspaper

**Margarite** · August-15-18, 05:06 PM

I was going through some boxes today and came across several issues of The Fifth Estate from 1968 and 1969. Forumers of a certain age will remember this paper that was edited by Harvey Ovshinsky and had John Sinclair as the Music editor. I've had them for so long that I can't bring myself to throw them away now. Is anyone interested in having them?

**Pam** · August-16-18, 05:39 AM

Maybe the Detroit Public Library or the Detroit Historical museum would take them?

**mikefmich** · August-22-18, 01:59 AM

Hi there!

Those would be blast from the past.

**Margarite** · August-22-18, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by mikefmich

Hi there!

Those would be blast from the past.

The paper from December 1968 is tagged the "Year of the Heroic Guerrilla" The paper was .15 [[.20 outside Detroit) and was mailed for .08 postage. I'd be happy to send them to you. I have 5 issues.

**Margarite** · December-18-18, 08:11 AM

Just a quick update. I offered the papers to the Detroit Historical museum and learned that the Labadie Collection at the University of Michigan acts as the "official repository" for the Fifth Estate. I contacted them and the papers are on their way to their new home. The Labadie houses a collection documenting the history of social protest movements. Here's the link if anyone is interested: https://www.lib.umich.edu/labadie-collection

**Ray1936** · December-21-18, 06:33 PM

Brings up a question. Whatever happened to John Sinclair???? He was about the hippest hippie of the times.

**Jimaz** · December-21-18, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Brings up a question. Whatever happened to John Sinclair???? He was about the hippest hippie of the times.

His website: JohnSinclair.US

**Bigb23** · December-21-18, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Brings up a question. Whatever happened to John Sinclair???? He was about the hippest hippie of the times.

I didn't follow the Sinclair saga, other than I was busted for one joint under the law that was named after him, and it was a felony. And I just turned 17.

New days Ray.

**kathy2trips** · December-22-18, 12:14 AM

John Sinclair was a total fraud. He touted socialism while robbing MC5 blind. No respect for him at all whatsoever.

**Lowell** · December-23-18, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by kathy2trips

John Sinclair was a total fraud. He touted socialism while robbing MC5 blind. No respect for him at all whatsoever.

That is an unfair characterization of John Sinclair. As their manager he led them to their peak, infused them with the rebellious political edge and philosophical basis that set them apart and brought them attention. They fired him after he had secured a lucrative contract with a huge advance, in part because he was headed to Jackson prison, for his famous ten years for two joints [imagine that in today's Michigan], and couldn't manage them anyway. John may not be perfect, who is, but he's never had any money beyond his needs and still doesn't.

On the other hand he has created an immense cultural legacy in Detroit and beyond with his leadership of the Artists Workshop, poetry, music, scholarship, marijuana legalization advocacy, other social-culture efforts that would take pages to relate. He's not a fraud, he's the real thing and genuine and unique artist.