Newspapers from the 1700s
The eighteenth century saw the heyday of the Age of Reason, and the rising popularity and increased distribution of newspapers played a key role in deepening and expanding public discourse. We carry only absolutely authentic original newspapers, and there's no better way to discover the history of the 1700s than to hold a newspaper from that century in your own hands.Newspapers from the 1700s
The eighteenth century saw the heyday of the Age of Reason, and the rising popularity and increased distribution of newspapers played a key role in deepening and expanding public discourse. We carry only absolutely authentic original newspapers, and there's no better way to discover the history of the 1700s than to hold a newspaper from that century in your own hands.
The silk industry in South Carolina...
Item #700808
June 29, 1767
THE NORTHAMPTON MERCURY, England, June 29, 1767
* Silk manufacturing in the Colonial South
Page 2 has reports headed: "America" one of which is from Charleston and the development of the silk business in South Carolina.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, very wide margins, very nice condition.
... See More
Reports from America...
Item #700804
February 27, 1769
THE NORTHAMPTON MERCURY, England, Feb. 27, 1769
* Rare British publication
The front page--carrying over to page 2--with reports from the Caribbean, etc. Also reports taken from the Massachusetts Gazette.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, very nice condition.... See More
News from Charleston & Boston: naval concerns, hopes for a peace among the Indians...
Item #700801
December 09, 1771
THE NORTHAMPTON MERCURY, England, Dec. 9, 1771 Page 3 has reports headed: "America" with datelines from Charleston and Boston. Bits include: "...a chief of the Mohawk Tribe of Indiana...arrived in town & have had several conferences with...Lieutenant Governor...to make a general peace between the Six Nations & all the tribes inhabiting from the Ohio to the Chicasahs...... See More
On the French & Indian War: French have to abandon Louisbourg...
Item #700798
November 23, 1759
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Nov. 23, 1759 From during the French & Indian War with page 2 containing a related item noting: "...In consequence of the taking of Louisbourg, upwards of 20,000 French people, who were settled in different sorts of trade & business in the country round about have been sent away & several small towns...have been demolished...".
... See More
News from America...
Item #700795
June 13, 1758
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, June 13, 1758 From during the French & Indian War with page 2 having: "Plantation News" with datelines from Kingston, Jamaica; Boston, and New York.
Four pages, 9 1/4 by 14 1/2 inches, full red tax stamp on the front page, nice condition.
French & Indian War reports from America...
Item #700794
December 26, 1758
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Dec. 26, 1758 From during the French & Indian War with page 2 having: "Plantation News" with datelines from Annapolis Albany, Boston, and New York, all with reports concerning the French & Indian War.
Four pages, 9 1/4 by 14 1/2 inches, partial red tax stamp on the front page, nice condition.
From 1787 York, England...
Item #700789
November 03, 1787
THE YORK CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 3, 1787
* Rare 18th century publication
A nice newspaper from the UK with mostly European reports and ads.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, full red tax stamp on the front page, small wear hole to the front leaf, minor rubbing.
AI notes: The York Chronicle was a prominent weekly newspaper published in York, England, first launched i... See More
From 1787 York, England...
Item #700787
November 23, 1787
THE YORK CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 23, 1787 A nice newspaper from the U.K. The back page has an: "American Anecdote" from the Revolutionary War.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, with a nice, full red tax stamp on the front page, nice condition.
background: The York Chronicle was an influential newspaper in York, England, founded in 1772 by Christopher Etherington as an alt... See More
On the retirement of George Washington from public office...
Item #700777
December 16, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, Dec. 16, 1796
* President George Washington
* Retirement from public service
The front page includes 18 illustrated ship advertisements.
Page 3 has a letter signed in type: George Washington, in response to another letter about his retirement from public office. Washington makes some nice comments.
Page 2 has another lett... See More
On George Washington retiring from public life...
Item #700771
September 26, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Sept. 26, 1796
* Rare 18th century American publication
* re. President George Washington's retirement
The front page has 22 illustrated ship ads.
Page 3 has a nice report: "The Resignation of The President of the United States" which notes in part: "...is at length announced to us in form...there is nothing w... See More
Washington signs an Act of Congress...
Item #700770
August 06, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Aug. 6, 1796
* President George Washington
Over half of the back page is taken up with: "An ACT laying duties on carriages for the conveyance of persons, & repealing the former act for that purpose." which is signed in type by the President: Go. Washington.
The back page also has two reward ads for runaway slaves.
Four ... See More
Runaway slave ads...
Item #700766
June 16, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 16, 1796 The front page features 22 illustrated ship ads.
Page 3 has an ad: "For Sale: A young, healthy Negro Woman..." with details, and the back page has an ad for: "Negro Tom" describing: "A Black Man, about 5 feet 6 inches high...ran off from Fell's Point on Sunday..." then describing his ... See More
Huge map of the Mississippi River dated June 1, 1775...
Item #700671
January 01, 1783
COURSE of the RIVER MISSISSIPI [sic] from the Balise to Fort Chartres; Taken on an Expedition to the Illinois, in the latter end of the Year 1763 by Lieut. Ross of the 34th Regiment: Improved from the Surveys of that River made by the French".
London, Printed for Robt. Sayer No. 53 in 'Fleet Street, Published as the Act directs, 11 June 1775"
A noted map dealer
London, Printed for Robt. Sayer No. 53 in 'Fleet Street, Published as the Act directs, 11 June 1775"
A noted map dealer
Washington, Jefferson & Adams sign an Act of Congress...
Item #700646
September 07, 1790
THE CONCORD HERALD & NEW HAMPSHIRE INTELLIGENCER, Sept. 7, 1790
* Treaty of New York
* Creek Nation - Indians
* President George Washington
* Southeast boundaries dispute
A rather scarce title, existing for just 4 years. Only 3 American institutions have this date in their collections.
* Treaty of New York
* Creek Nation - Indians
* President George Washington
* Southeast boundaries dispute
A rather scarce title, existing for just 4 years. Only 3 American institutions have this date in their collections.
The most significant content is the printing of President George Washingto
... See More
George Washington "signature" on the front page...
Item #700624
April 19, 1797
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 19, 1797
* President George Washington
* Act of Congress script signature
The front page contains an Act of Congress, taking close to a full column of text, being: "An Act for Raising a Further sum of Money by additional Duties on certain Articles imported; & for other purposes." which is signed in script type: Go. Washington. This was ... See More
Four George Washington signatures on the front page...
Item #700623
April 26, 1797
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 26, 1797
* President George Washington
* United States Congress acts
The front page features not one, but four documents each signed by the President: Go. Washington, three of them are signed in the very desirable script type. One of the Acts relates to fixing the military establishment of the United States.
Four pages, very light damp staining at ... See More
Three "signatures" by Washington on his last day in office...
Item #700622
April 22, 1797
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 22, 1797
* President George Washington's last day in office
* Three Acts of Congress signed in script type
The front page contains not one but three Acts of Congress, each one signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington.
The Acts are regarding duties on distilled spirits, one for placing buoys in Boston harbor, and one for setting the... See More
The historic Boston Non-Importation Agreement...
Item #700584
May 15, 1769
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 15, 1769
* The Boston Non-Importation Agreement
* Boycott of British goods b merchants & traders
* Rare Colonial Pennsylvania publication
The entire front page is taken up with: "The Speech of Th-m-s P--wn--ll, Esq. in the House of "Commons, in Favour of America" which is an interesting defen... See More
Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms: consumes the entire front page...
Item #700583
July 29, 1775
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, July 29, 1775 In the world of American Revolutionary literature and manuscripts three bodies of work stand out: 1) Thomas Paine's Common Sense; 2) the Declaration of Independence; and 3) the earliest of the Revolutionary trinity: The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms.
All of the front page and a bit of page 2 are taken up ... See More
Ethan Allen a prisoner... Two letters from George Washington... N.Y. governor hopes for reconciliation...
Item #700574
April 04, 1776
NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE: OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, April 4, 1776
* Ethan Allen as a prisoner
* General George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
A wealth of fine content in this issue from this desirable year.
Page 2 has a wonderful address from the Massachusetts Council offering praise and support to "His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Es... See More
Battle of Fort Frontenac...
Item #700463
November 02, 1758
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 2, 1758
* Fort Frontenac captured
* French and Indian War
The back page has a very nice letter: "...from an officer in one of the provincial regiments in America...dated Albany, Sept. 15" which begins: "You will hear from many hands the successful blow struck against the French interest in America by the taking of Cadaraque, or (as th... See More
Land purchase document from New England, 1752...
Item #700403
May 01, 1752
A part-printed, part-handwritten document by "...Elisha West of Kingston in the County of Plymouth in New England...sum of sixty six pounds thirteen shillings & four pence...absolutely convey...a certain farm or parcel of land..." with the various details. Dated near the bottom at Plymouth "May the first AD 1752" with several signatures, including some remnants of two red w... See More
Two nice engravings in the masthead...
Item #700402
July 25, 1746
THE LONDON COURANT, England, July 25, 1746
* Jacobite Rebellion era
* Nice masthead engravings
The masthead features two engravings, one showing a sailing ship and the other a post-boy 'trumpeting' the news.
Various news from Europe with most of the back page taken up with advertisements.
Complete as a single sheet issue, the margins appear to have been hand-trimmed cl... See More
Not held by any American institution... Reports from New York & Boston...
Item #700397
July 29, 1758
PUE'S OCCURRENCES, Dublin, Ireland, July 29, 1758
* Rare 18th century publication
* Not held by any American institution
An early Irish newspaper with pages 1 and 2 having various news reports while most of the balance of the issue is taken up with ads & notices.
Page 2 has: "Plantation News" with reports datelined from New York and Boston, from during the Fre... See More
During Washington's administration... Letter from George Rogers Clark...
Item #700357
March 12, 1794
GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 12, 1794 The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time while the District of Columbia was under construction.
Page 3 has a: "Proposal" signed in type by the famed: G. R. Clark, "For raising volunteers for the reduction of the Spanish posts of the Mississippi, for opening the trade of the said River, and giving freedo... See More
From during George Washington's administration...
Item #700355
March 08, 1794
GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 8, 1794 The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time while the District of Columbia was under construction.
Page 3 has: "Laws Of The Union" which notes: "An Act in Alteration of the Act Establishing a Mint & Regulating the Coins of the United States". The back page has 12 illustrated ship ads.
Four pages, ... See More
During Washington's administration...
Item #700346
January 31, 1793
THE MAIL; OR CLAYPOOLE'S DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 31, 1793 A typical newspaper of the day from during George Washington's administration. Page 3 has a notice headed: "War Department" concerning filing for pension benefits, signed in type by: H. Knox, Secretary of War.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, very nice condition.
During Washington's administration...
Item #700344
April 16, 1793
THE MAIL; OR CLAYPOOLE'S DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, April 16, 1793
* 18th century America publication
A typical newspaper of the day from during George Washington's administration. Inside has several runaway reward ads, with details.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, very nice condition.
AI notes: This was a daily newspaper published in Philadelphia, then the U.S. capital, during the admi... See More
A supplement issue almost entirely filled with ads...
Item #700337
November 15, 1792
SUPPLEMENT TO DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1792 This is a single sheet that is almost entirely taken up with advertisements that would not have fit in the "regular" issue.
Complete as a full size single sheet, wide, never-trimmed margins, irregular at the very top is a paper-making flow, not loss. Otherwise in nice condition.
A supplement issue almost entirely filled with ads, two slave-related...
Item #700336
November 14, 1792
SUPPLEMENT TO DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 14, 1792 This is a single sheet that is almost entirely taken up with advertisements that would not have fit in the "regular" issue. One is for: "The Time of a Negro Woman For Sale..." & another: "Twenty Dollars Reward" for 2 runaway: "...young Negro lads..." with details.
Co... See More
Handsome newspaper from this famous British town...
Item #700202
December 04, 1795
KENTISH GAZETTE, Canterbury, England, Dec. 4, 1795
* Uncommon 18th century publication
A handsome issue of the 18th century from this famous town, with two decorative embellishments in the masthead & ornate lettering in the title. Various British news & ads of the day with a partial red tax stamp on page 3.
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
A few bits referencing America...
Item #700178
February 27, 1769
THE GLOCESTER JOURNAL, England (now spelled Gloucester), Feb . 27, 1769
* Pre American Revolutionary War
* Nice masthead for display
Various British news reports throughout, with its finest feature being the handsome masthead with two detailed engravings and the ornate lettering. This is from the period when the troubling relationship between England and America was coming to a... See More
On the ineligibility of federal judges...
Item #700162
February 05, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 5, 1791
* First Bank of the United States
* Early American government
The entire front page & most of page 2 are taken up with the: "Debate on the Ineligibility of Federal Judges", in the Massachusetts Legislature. Page 2 has mention from "Congress" that the Act to incorporate the Bank of the United States was read the first &... See More
William Cobbett's famous newspaper...
Item #699986
March 15, 1798
PORCUPINE'S GAZETTE, Philadelphia, March 15, 1798 This was William Cobbett's important and controversial--but short-lived--daily newspaper. Cobbett was a prolific & controversial publisher who often wrote under the pen-name of "Peter Porcupine." He was famous for sniping at his political opponents, usually those of a Jeffersonian-Republican sentiment.
Page 2 has an adv... See More
An attempted early demonstration of a parachute ends comically... News from America...
Item #699820
July 14, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 14, 1785 The back page has a report concerning the early use of a parachute, bits noting: "...persons were assembled...late Blanchard's Aerobatic Academy near Vauxhall, to be spectators of an experiment made by a Italian with a parachute, who was to have let himself down from a prodigious altitude and to manifest his composure by playing on a viol... See More
Private citizen George Washington hopes to solve the Indian troubles...
Item #699749
February 19, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 19, 1785 The back page has an: "Extract of a Letter from New York" which reports on the troubles with the Indians along the Ohio River. One big men lions: "...General Washington, who has now reduced himself to the rank of a private citizen, has offered to go to Nantucket... in the spring to endeavour to settle affairs, to hold a talk with th... See More
A wretched life in The Bahamas... On Florida being ceded to Spain...
Item #699747
February 15, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 15, 1785 Page 2 has news: "...from St. Augustine, in East Florida." noting: "They give a melancholy account of the situation of the few setters who remained on the province being ceded to Spain. The gloomy disposition of the Spaniards & their enthusiastic tenets by no means atone for the blessings of a free government..." with more ... See More
Quality of life in New Brunswick...
Item #699746
February 12, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 12, 1785 The back page has a: "Letter from St. John's River, New Brunswick" on the quality of life there, noting in part: "The establishing of a government on this side of the Bay of Fundy is a lost pleasing circumstance...The rapid increase of people of property & in the cultivation of the country convinces me every day of our abili... See More
Trouble with the Indians in Kentucky...
Item #699741
January 20, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 20, 1785
* Indians - Native Americans
* Murder & scalping in Kentucky
Page 2 has a report, which although headed: "Jamaica" actually has reports from Danville, Kentucky, noting in part: "...the Indians, after having collected our prisoners...all of a sudden....came to a resolution not to deliver them up...the determination of the... See More
On one of the major pioneers in manned balloon flights...
Item #699738
January 06, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 6, 1785
* Early ballooning - aviation pioneer
* Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier
Page 5 has a paragraph on one of the pioneers of manned flight, noting: "The famous M. Pilastre de Rozier, after having in vain waited...for a favourable wind to waft him & his balloon to the British shore, has given up all thoughts of such an aeri... See More
Newspaper edited by the famed Jonathan Swift...
Item #699656
October 09, 1713
THE EXAMINER, London, Oct. 9, 1713
* Rare 18th century publication
This editorial-format newspaper was edited by the famed Jonathan Swift at this time (of Gulliver's Travels fame), It promoted a Tory perspective on British politics, at a time when Queen Anne had replaced Whig ministers with Tories.
Complete as a single sheet newspaper as was typical of the day, 8 1/4 by 13 inches,... See More
"American News"...
Item #699650
May 17, 1781
THE MIDDLESEX JOURNAL & EVENING POST, London, May 17, 1781
* Revolutionary War Era
* From The Enemy
Page 2 begins with a report headed: "American News" mostly taken up with a Proclamation signed in type by: Anthony Johnson, commander-in-chief of British forces in the Caribbean, concerning the taking of Dutch ships.
Irregular at the left margin affects a few letter... See More
Reports relating to the French & Indian War...
Item #699646
January 26, 1758
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Jan. 26, 1758
* British officer Robert Monckton
* French and Indian War promotion
Page 2 has a brief item relating to the ongoing French & Indian War, noting: "Robert Monckton, Esq., is likewise appointed Lieutenant Colonel commandant of the Royal American regiment in the room of Lieutenant Colonel Desceaux, deceased."
Also a li... See More
A plea for separation of church & state in America... Indian troubles...
Item #699520
September 17, 1768
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Sept. 17, 1768
* re. separation of church and state in America
Over one-third of a page is taken p with a letter concerning: "The establishment of a Protestant episcopate in America is also very zealously contended for; and is very alarming to a people whose fathers, from the hardships they suffered under such an establishment, were obliged to fly th... See More
Famous Scottish title...
Item #699484
November 17, 1796
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Nov. 17, 1796
* 18th century red tax stamp
A typical newspaper of the day with ads & a wealth of news reports, mostly from Europe.
Four pages, red tram strap at the top of the front page, a bit close-trimmed at the top of page 3, generally good condition.
Early title from London...
Item #699483
July 08, 1746
THE DAILY GAZETTEER, London, England, July 8, 1746
* Era of the Jacobite Rebellion
* Rare 18th century publication
Various European reports throughout with advertisements on the back page. The front page has some items relating to the Jacobite Rebellion.
Complete as a single sheet issue, 9 1/2 by 14 1/4 inches, trimmed at the margins but not affecting any letters or words, nice condi... See More
Small German newspaper from 1716...
Item #699474
June 10, 1716
NEUE ZEITUNGEN von GELCHRTEN SACHEN, Leipzig, Germany, June 10, 1716
* Rare miniature curiosity
A very early and tiny newspaper from this largest city in the German province of Saxony. The title roughly translates: "News From Learned Things". Totally in the German language.
Six pages, 4 by 6 1/2 inches, great condition.... See More
One of the less common, early titles...
Item #699469
October 13, 1708
THE REHEARSAL, London, Oct. 13, 1708
* Rare 18th century publication
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. It was published by Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Another source notes: "...in August 1704, he had started, in opposition to the ‘Observator’ and Defoe's ‘Review,
... See More
* Rare 18th century publication
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. It was published by Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Another source notes: "...in August 1704, he had started, in opposition to the ‘Observator’ and Defoe's ‘Review,
A variant and short-lived title...
Item #699463
THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England Oct. 28, 1704 * Volume 1 - Number 13 issue
* Rare 18th century publication
A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal" and much less common. This is issue #13. In the masthead is the topic of the day: "The Observatory's Preparation for his Trial. The Argument of the Whiggs, Th... See More
Rare title from this era...
Item #699458
December 02, 1718
THE FLYING-POST: OR, THE POSTS-MASTER, London, March 11, 1717-8 (1718 by today's calendar)
* Very rare & early 18th century publication
In 1695 the Licensing Act of England was allowed to lapse, which caused several newspapers to begin publication, this title being one of them. But this is certainly one of the more rare titles as we have only offered a few in the past 50 ... See More
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