Historic Newspapers: Post-Civil War

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 2, 1879  The full front page is a print captioned: "Edison In His Workshop" showing him at work on an experiment. Very displayable. An inside page has a related article on him, taking 1 1/2 columns.
Other prints within including a full page of: "The Saratoga Regatta", a full page of: "Lake George, Looking Southwest from Black Mountain", "The Moss Bunker or Menhaden Fishery on the Long Island Coast", a full page Thomas Nast political cartoon: "The Campaign…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, September 6, 1866

* Jay Cooke & his banking house
* Financier of the Civil War
* Wall Street Panic of 1873 fame

Page 6 of this newspaper contains an advertisement for the: "Banking House of Jay Cooke & Co." with a few more details (see). Other high profile financier ads as well. (see)
The life of Jay Cooke and his considerable influence in banking & business in the last half of the 19th century can be read at this website.
Complete in 8 pages, various news of the day…

THE FIREBRAND, Portland, Oregon, Feb. 21, 1897  A fascinating newspaper with their motto just under the title: "For the Burning Away of the Cobwebs of Ignorance and Superstition." and the dateline notes: "An Exponent of Anarchist - Communism. Holding that Equality of Opportunity alone Constitutes Liberty; that in the Absence of Monopoly Price and Competition Cannot Exist, and that Communism is an Inevitable Consequence."
Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) notes that the only…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 12, 1876

* Evangelist Dwight L. Moody's sermon
* Preaches at P.T. Barnum's Hippodrome

The top of the 1st column of the front page has a one column heading: "THE REVIVAL'S PROGRESS" with subhead. Text takes up about 2  1/2 columns.
Other news of the day. Complete with all 8 pages, minor spine wear, nice condition.

Background: The New York City Hippodrome Campaign of 1876 stands as a pivotal moment in American religious history, marking the definitive transition of evangelism…

THE SHAKER, Shakers, New York, and Shaker Village, New Hampshire, July, 1877

* Uncommon title

A monthly publication "Published By The United Societies" for folks in the Shaker community, quite famous today for the style of furniture they produced. This issue has much religious-related content.
Eight pages measuring 13 x 10 1/2 inches, a little irregular along the spine, generally in very nice condition.

Background: This July 1877 issue of The Shaker represents a rare, primary-source artifact of…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 7, 1868  Page 3 has an article related to the 1st official Memorial Day which includes a touching letter from a young girl who had lost her father during the war, addressed to Col. Leaming: "Will you please put this wreath upon some rebel soldier's grave? My dear papa is buried at Andersonville, and perhaps some little girl will be kind enough to put a few flowers on his grave," signed in block type, "JENNY VERNON." It is interesting to note that they did find one…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, January 27, 1888

* Walt Whitman's "To Those Who've Fail'd"
* 1st appearance - quite rare

Page 6 has Walt Whitman's "To Those Who've Fail'd," which was a piece written exclusively for the New York Herald. The entire text reads:

 

(2) BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, November 21 & 26, 1887  The front page of the issue from the 21st has,"Fire Record," which provides an account of the devastating fire in Bridgeport, Connecticut at the winter quarters of P.T. Barnum's "Greatest Show On Earth." The issue of the 26th includes a follow-up report on page 1 which mentions the death of the famed rhinoceros, along with a more detailed account of the fire on page 5. See images for details. Great to have these reports from a major city…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Nov. 1, 1879  The full ftpg. is a Thomas Nast political cartoon showing Blacks & captioned: "The Next Debut - Now Let General M.C. Butler, of South Carolina, Show How Bulldozing Is Done."
Prints inside include a halfpg: "The Avery Institute, Charleston, S.C."; a fullpg: "International Cricket Match at Phila." "The Ute War--Colored Troops Fighting their Way into the Beleaguered Camp" & halfpg. on 'The Ute War' plus much more.
Sixteen pages, never bound nor trimmed,…

SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, Nov. 8, 1865 

* Samuel Bowles' serialized travelogue : "Across The Continent"'

Over half of the front page is taken up with a portion of the Samuel Bowles book: "ACROSS THE CONTINENT" "Letters From Mr. Bowles--No. 29" "Our Farewell to Frisco--Dinner & Ball...A final Review of the Mining Questions...Latest News from the Mines--Copper and Quicksilver--The Petroleum Questions--Oil vs. Wine--Through the Golden Gate". Fascinating reading from just after the end…

PUCK, New York, Jan. 24, 1883  

* Color political prints

Puck was a highly influential illustrated satirical magazine, famous for pioneering colorful political cartoons and sharp commentary on American politics, religion, and society. Founded by Joseph Keppler, the magazine used humor and elaborate chromolithographs to criticize corruption, political machines, monopolies, and cultural controversies. 
The key priunt is the doublepage centerfold cartoon “Gambling with Death,” which depicted a…

NEW YORK TIMES, April 21, 1868  

* President Andrew Johnson
* Reconstruction era impeachment trial

The entire front page is taken up with reports on the Johnson impeachment trial, with first column heads: "IMPEACHMENT" "Further Testimony Offered by the Prosecution" "All the Evidence Submitted and the Case Closed" "Arguments to be Commenced on Wednesday" "The Impeachment Trial".
Page 4 has an editorial on the impeachment trial, as well as: "The Issue In Impeachment".
Eight pages, minor light foxing,…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 25, 1873

* Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873
* Memphis, Tennessee & more

The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "PLAGUE-STRICKEN MEMPHIS" with subheads. (see images) Text takes up over 1 1/2 columns.
Complete with 12 pages, very minor margin wear, nice condition.

Background: The 1873 Mississippi Valley yellow fever epidemic was a devastating outbreak that primarily struck river cities such as Memphis, Vicksburg, and New Orleans, killing thousands and causing widespread…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 28, 1876

* Evangelist Dwight L. Moody's sermon
* Preaches at P.T. Barnum's Hippodrome

The top of page 2 has a one column heading: "TURNING MEN TO CHRIST" with subhead. Text takes up almost 2 full columns.
Other news of the day. Complete with all 8 pages, very minor spine wear, nice condition.

Background: The New York City Hippodrome Campaign of 1876 stands as a pivotal moment in American religious history, marking the definitive transition of evangelism from rural "tent…

GUNNISON DAILY REVIEW, Colorado, Dec. 28, 1881

* Rare Old West title
* Volume 1 issue

An uncommon title from this boom mining town in the southwestern quadrant of Colorado, tucked in a valley amidst the Rocky Mountains.
Gunnison boomed in the late 1870's and early 1880's and was once the home of Wyatt Earp and "Texas Jack". Today there are some 5500 residents of Gunnison.
This is a volume I issue of this early and uncommon title from Colorado. Four pages, a little irregular along the spine with a…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 12, 1878

* Wallingford, Connecticut
* F4 tornado storm disaster

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "THE RUIN AT WALLINGFORD" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, good condition.

Background: The Wallingford tornado struck Connecticut in 1878, killing 29 people and injuring over 70, making it the deadliest tornado in the state's history. Likely an F4 in strength, it carved a half-mile-wide path through Wallingford, destroying homes, churches,…

THE WOMAN'S JOURNAL, Boston, Sept. 18, 1880

* Rare publication
* Women's suffrage

Rare women's suffrage paper founded in 1870, produced by--among others--Lucy Stone, Alice Blackwell, Julia Ward Howe, and Mary Livermore. Published: "...to the interests of Woman, to her educational, industrial, legal & political Equality, & especially to her right of Suffrage" as noted on the front page.
Of course, the majority of the articles have to do with women's rights.
Eight pages, a few tiny binding holes and…

NEW-YORK TIMES, Sept. 23, 1870  Page 3 has: "Base-Ball The Championship Contest--Mutual vs. Atlantic--The Mutuals Win the Champion Pennant --Score 10 to 4". The summary (see) mentions that there was: "...a very large gathering of spectators on the Union Grounds...despite the fact that the admission fee was double the usual charge." Also says there was the largest gathering of fence peepers ever seen at a baseball match, and because there was such an interest in the game: "...the telegraph…

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, March 30, 1878

* Historic Phonograph invention
* Thomas Edison - inventor

Page 3 has a nice 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch illustration of Edison's recent invention--the phonograph. Amazed by this uncomplicated apparatus, the report begins: "It is a peculiar feature of the Edison phonograph that no mere description can impart any real adequate idea of its performances. Fully familiar as we are and have been with the machine since its inception, it is still impossible for us to…

THE DUBUQUE HERALD, Iowa, Jan. 5, 1879 to Jan. 28, 1879

* Uncommon Midwestern publication
* Lot of 17 consecutive issues sill bound
* Missing dates Jan. 10 & Jan. 11
* From Dec. 21, 1878 to Jan. 4, 1879

These (17) uncommon 4 page issues have news of the day with several interesting advertisements, many which are illustrated. 
All issues are complete with 4 pages, larger than normal sized paper which measures 27 x 22 inches, light toning and minor wear at the margins, , generally nice. Should be…

SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Jan. 3, 1872  Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2,300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.  All four pages have various news tidbits of the day, including local, regional, and national reports. A great wealth of advertisements as well, several of which are illustrated.
Four pages, 11 3/4 by 17 3/4 inches, printed on high-quality newsprint, very nice condition.

THE OHIO SPY, Springfield, December, 1877  This is a product of the amateur press, an avocation for amateur printers which was popular in the latter part of the 19th century. They were typically small in size and short-lived.
Four pages, 7 1/4 by 10 1/4 inches, very nice condition.

Background: The historical significance of The Ohio Spy (December 1877) lies in its status as a preserved artifact of the Amateur Press Movement, a post-Civil War phenomenon that represents arguably the first distinct…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Nov. 22, 1875  

* Ira D. Sankey & Dwight Lyman Moody
* Evangelist - Evangelism - sermons

Page 2 has two columns taken up with: "MOODY AND SANKEY" "A Wonderful Beginning in the New Field".
This is on  Dwight L. Moody, a notable American evangelist, and Ira D. Sankey, an American gospel singer and composer, known for his long association with Dwight L. Moody in a series of religious revival campaigns in America and Britain during the closing decades of the 19th century.
Eight pages,…

THE DEMOCRATIC WATCHMAN, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1885 

* General Ulysses S. Grant death w/ portrait print

The most notable content is on page 2 which features a print of President Ulysses S. Grant headed: "THE ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD ! " and captioned: "The Sad Story of His Last Hours--Scene at the Death Bed When the Flame of Life Flickered Out".
The article is very descriptive, headed: "Nearing the End - Scene in the Chamber of Death--How General Grant Passed Away". And page4 has half a…

BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, July 17, 1882

* Mary Todd Lincoln death (1st report)

Page 4 has report under: "Recent Deaths" which begins with: "Mrs. Lincoln, widow of the late President Lincoln, died in Springfield, Ill., at 8:15 last night..."
Complete with 8 pages, a little irregular along the spine, nice condition.

background: Mary Todd Lincoln passed away on the evening of July 16, 1882, at the age of 63, in the Springfield, Illinois home of her sister, Elizabeth Edwards—the very…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York,  June 5, 1875  Full front pg. Nast illus. of "Captured At Last." (Phil Sheridan). Inside is a 2/3 pg. illus. of "The New Arctic Expedition-The "Alert" and the "Discovery"." Six illus. pertaining to "The Fulton Street Prayer Meeting-North Dutch Church."
Doublepage centerfold of "The Last Muster." Full pg. Nast illus. of "This Tub Has No Bottom to Stand on." 2/3 pg. illus. of "Venetian Loafers." Also, a 1/4 pg. portrait of "Henry Ward Beecher."
Complete in sixteen pages.

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Aug. 9, 1865

* Civil War reconstruction era
* Negroes in the Southern States

The top of the back page has a small heading: "From Mississippi" "Southern Opinion of the Negro..." (see images) 
The front page column heads include: "FROM TEXAS" "Proclamation by Gov. Hamilton" "Recent Order to Gen. Sheridan" "Two-Thirds of His Army to be Mustered Out" "SARATOGA RACES" "The Cup Won by Kentucky" and much more. The back page has a report of a baseball game, with the box…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, November 29, 1891 

* Stephen Crane
* Writer and illustrator (unsigned)
* Only 19 years old

Nearly all of page 23 is dedicated to: "TENT LIFE AT OCEAN GROVE". Subheadings include: "Old Ways and Amusements of the People Who Spend the Summer at the Great Camp Meeting Resort", "UNDER IRON-CLAD RULE", "PIETY IS IN THE AIR", and more. See images for this intriguing article written and illustrated by 19-year old Stephen Crane. The article would look great framed.

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, January 11, 1879   The front page has various scenes from inside a Tobacco Factory.  Inside contains images and text re:  "A Three Legged Woodcock", "...The Tanks of the Brighton Aquarium", "The Chichester Water tower", and more.  Period advertising is present throughout.
Complete in 16 pages, measures about 11 by 15.5 inches, in very nice condition.
Background (Moses Farmer):
In 1859, American inventor Moses Farmer achieved a historic milestone by lighting…

THE SUN, New York, Dec. 21, 1879  

* Jesse James Gang w/ Frank

Page 7 contains a wonderful, lengthy, and very detailed article with several column heads: "THE JAMES BOYS OF TEXAS" "A Visit to the Home of the Elder Of the Terrible Brothers" "The Visitor's Grim Reception at the Pistol's Mouth--'Hold Up Your Hand!'--A Desperate Fight with Palacta's Thieves".
It is prefaced with: " 'The Life and Adventures of Frank and Jesse James' is the title of a new work of about 400 pages by the Hon. J. A.…

EASTON EXPRESS, Pennsylvania, Dec. 12, 1878  

* War of the Currents"
* Thomas "Edison Mania" 
* Dawn of the electric age

Most of a page 2 column is taken up with a detailed article headed: "Edison's Great Invention" "An Authoritative Explanation of His Wonderful Electric Light--Why the Secret Has Been so Carefully Guarded".
The front page has: "Polygamy" "A Reminiscence--Brigham Young and Brother William's Wife".
Four pages, minor edge-tears in the spine margin. very nice condition.

Background: The…

THE HELENA DAILY HERALD, Montana, Jan. 18, 1878

* Pre statehood Montana
* Rare Old West publication

This newspaper is from 11 years before Montana statehood. With newspapers West of the Mississippi being very rare prior to 1900, here is an opportunity to get an issue from the old West back when cowboys, Indians, saloons, gold miners & gunfights were often seen on a regular basis..
Four pages in great condition.

background: The Helena Daily Herald, established around 1867 in Helena,…

THE CORRECTOR, Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, Oct. 29, 1870  

* Anti-Mormons - Mormonism book advertisement

The back page has an advertisement for the publication of: "LIFE IN UTAH or the MYSTERIES OF MORMONISM" with some text noting its "...unprecedented success, one reports 186 subscribers in four days, another 71 subscribers in two days."
The book is described as: "An Expose of the Secret Rites and Ceremonies of the Latter-Day Saints, with a Full and Authentic History of Polygamy…

OFFICIAL (Baseball) RECORD, New York, July 9, 1886 

* Very rare baseball periodical

This is a volume two issue of a very rare & historically important baseball newspaper, the very first daily sports newspaper dedicated entirely to the national game of professional baseball. 
Although the masthead reads: "Official Record" the title at the top of pages 2, 3 & 4 reads: "Official Baseball Record". This issue has a terrific baseball-themed masthead, featuring two crossed bats (barrel handles with 3…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, April 17, 1874

* Brooks-Baxter War
* Little Rock, Arkansas
* Republican Party factions

The top of page 7 has a one column heading: "BROOKS' COUP D'TAT" with subheads. (see images) Text takes up almost 1 1/2 columns.
Complete with all 12 pages, nice condition.

background: The Brooks–Baxter War of 1874 in Little Rock, Arkansas was a violent political conflict rooted in a disputed Republican gubernatorial election. Elisha Baxter, who had been certified as governor, faced a…

THE WORLD, New York City, April 24, 1869

* Spirit photography - ghosts
* William H. Mumler fraud trial

The top of the front page has one column headings that include: "THE GHOSTLY CONTROVERSY" "Continuation of the Case Against the Spiritual Photographers" "The Process Very Mysterious" and more with loads of testimony. Lengthy report continues on page 2 for a total of about 3 1/3 columns of text.
Complete with 8 pages, a little irregular along the spine, nice condition.

Background: In 1869, William…

THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Oct. 13, 1898

* Battle of Virden - Riot - Massacre - labor conflict
* Macoupin County, Illinois coal mining - miners

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "TROUBLE NOT OVER" with subheads. (see images) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper.
Complete with 4 pages, 23 x 19 1/2 inches, a few small library stamps within the…

WEEKLY MERCURY, Constantine, Michigan, January 26, 1871

* Rare Midwestern title
* St. Joseph County

This 4 page newspaper has news of the day and several period advertisements.
Complete in nice condition.

Background: The Weekly Mercury was a 19th-century local newspaper published in Constantine, Michigan, primarily serving St. Joseph County and its surrounding communities. It appeared under names such as the Weekly Mercury and St. Joseph County Advertiser, reflecting common naming practices of the…

THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Dec. 20, 1899

* U.S. General Henry Ware Lawton killed
* Battle of Paye - Philippine-American War
 
The top of the front page has a one column heading: "TRIBUTE TO LAWTON" with subheads. (see images) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper.
Complete with 8 pages, a few small library stamps at the top of the front page, a few small binding…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, May 20, 1874

* Mill River flood disaster - Northhampton
* Williamsburg & Haydenville, Massachusetts

The top of page 7 has one column headings that include: "MILL RIVER CALAMITY" "Continues Efforts to Recover the Missing Dead" "Funerals At Haydenville" and more. (see images) Text takes up over 2 1/2 columns. 
Other news of the day. Complete with 12 pages, nice condition.

Background:The 1874 Mill River Flood was a catastrophic disaster in western Massachusetts…

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE, Nebraska, May 14, 1891 

* 1891 Kentucky Derby victory
* Isaac Burns Murphy - African-American jockey
* 1st to be inducted into the Hall of Fame

Inside has a report of the running of the 1891 Kentucky Derby, won by the horse Kingman, ridden by Hall of Fame African-American jockey Isaac Burns Murphy.
The pg. 7 heads note: "Kingman's Easy Triumph" "He Wins the Kentucky Derby by Scarcely More Than a Canter" "No Match For Him Was In The Race" & more. The article takes…

SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, June 20, 1867 

* First Belmont Stakes - Jerome Park Racetrack

Near the bottom of page 2 is a seemingly innocuous report but which has great significance in the sport of horse racing: the very first running of the Belmont Stakes.
Headed: "Sporting Intelligence" "Commodore Vanderbilt Defeats Gen. McClellan". The text reports on several races, and includes: "...The summer race meeting at Jerome Park commenced on Wednesday...The Belmont stakes were won…

CLEVELAND WEEKLY HERALD, Ohio, March 11, 1881 

* James A. Garfield
* Presidential inauguration 

Page 2 has nice first column heads: "INAUGURATION Of President James Abram Garfield", "Immense throngs Listen to the Address", "Kind But Firm & Statesman-Like Document", "Administering of the Oath to the President and Vice President", and more. The complete text of his "Inaugural Address". See images for details. 
Eight pages, a bit tattered at the bottom margin not affecting any pg. 2 text,…

THE GREENSBORO PATRIOT, N.C., Oct. 19, 1871

* Ku Klux Klan - KKK outrages
* South Carolina brutality
* President Ulysses S. Grant
* Declares martial law in the state

The top of page 2 has a one column heading: "Martial Law" (see images) 
complete with 4 pages, nice condition.

Background:In October 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant took decisive action against the Ku Klux Klan in South Carolina by declaring martial law in several counties plagued by widespread violence and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York Nov.  25, 1865  

* Brooklyn Atlantics
* Baseball's 1st champions

Over half a page is taken up with portraits of the nine members of the Atlantic Baseball Club of Brooklyn with embellishments titled "'Champion Nine' Of The Atlantic Base-Ball Club Of Brooklyn, L. I., 1865" and an article headed: "The Atlantic Base-Ball Club".
The ball players are wearing uniforms. Some of the players include Start, Pratt, Pearce, and Crane.
Various other post-Civil War prints…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 27, 1878 

* "Blackville" baseball scene
* Famous Thomas Nast print

Perhaps the most notable print is the very nice full page illustration: "Baseball at Blackville -- The 'White Stockings' Against the 'Black Legs' -- First Blood for the 'Black Legs.' " being a cartoonish illustration showing African-Americans playing baseball.
A wealth of other, unrelated prints as can be seen in our web listing 174264.
Complete in 16 pages, very nice condition.

…

THE WORLD, April 26, 1869

* Novelist Charles Dickens 
* Honorary banquet w/ speech
* Last year of his life

The front page has an article headed: "Charles Dickens" "Banquet in Liverpool--Mr. Hutchinson's Speech" (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, a little irregular along the spine, nice condition.

THE WORLD, New York City, April 23, 1869

* Early Woman's "Equal pay & safe working conditions
* Progressive Women reformers - labor rights reform  

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "WOMEN IN DESPAIR" with subheads. (see images) Report takes up entire last column and continues on page 2 for another 1 1/2 columns. 
Complete with 8 pages, minor spine wear, nice condition.

Background:On April 21, 1869, Boston reformers and female wage-earners gathered at Tremont…