The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
Rare issue of the Oxford Gazette... Death toll from the Great Plague...
Item #690901
December 21, 1665
THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, Dec. 21, 1665
* Earliest & Rarest of newspapers to be had
* The black plague deaths
This is an extremely famous--and rare--title, being the predecessor of the famous "London Gazette", the oldest continually published English language newspaper in the world. This is the #11 issue.
Because of the Plague at this time, the Royal Court had remove... See More
Much like the Olive Branch Petition... Reaction by the soldiers to reading the "...Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms"...
Item #687100
July 26, 1775
CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, July 26, 1775
* American Revolutionary War
* Post Battle of Bunker Hill
A terrific issue, as the entire front page and most of page 2 are taken up with a terrific follow-up to the Olive Branch Petition, in fact, written just 3 days after it, in which the Continental Congress points out the many issues with its relations with England, detai... See More
The King declares Americans are free & independent...
Item #703552
December 10, 1782
THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Dec. 10, 1782
* American independence acknowledged
* By King George III of England (speech)
* Historic event that propelled U.S. freedom
Certainly the most notable content is that found on pages 2 & 3, the very historic speech by the King of England to his Parliament, dated Dec. 5, 1782.
In this notable speech the King declares that the Americans ar... See More
Perhaps the definitive Battle of Gettysburg issue...
Item #701653
July 06, 1863
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 6, 1863
* Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
* Most historic battle of the Civil War
* Great reporting - Among the best to be had
A terrific issue reporting the result of the very historic Battle of Gettysburg, with nearly two-thirds of the front page's first column taken up with related heads, atop of which is a nice patriotic emblem.
They include: ... See More
The king creates codes for rebuilding London after the Great Fire...
Item #698983
September 17, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, September 17, 1666
* Among the earliest of newspapers to be had
* The Great London Fire disaster
* Charles II of England creates safety codes
Certainly one of the more notable events in London history was the Great Fire which began on September 2. Very shortly thereafter, in an effort to rebuild London in a safe manner, the King issued various directives ... See More
The Boston Massacre: the definitive report in a London newspaper...
Item #703367
April 24, 1770
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 24, 1770
* The Boston Massacre
* Historic reporting
This is simply a terrific issue as it gives an excellent account of the Boston Massacre as taken from the "Boston Gazette" newspaper of March 12, 1770, the issue so famous that it was reprinted due to its excellent account of this, one of the most famous events of the 18th century, and a... See More
The Great Fire of London...
Item #704177
September 24, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, September 24, 1666
* The Great London Fire period coverage
* Among the earliest of newspapers to be had
One of the greatest calamities, and more notable events to strike London in its long history is the Great Fire which destroyed much of the city in September, 1666. Finding period references to it are exceedingly difficult, as the number of newspape... See More
George Washington is elected President of the United States...
Item #713617
February 20, 1793
NATIONAL GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Feb. 20, 1793
* President George Washington
* Historic 2nd election victory
By far the most significant item in this issue is the page 3 report announcing the opening of the votes for President & Vice President.
History tells us that it was on February 13, 1793, when Congress officially tabulated the votes from the election of 1792. Page 3 has a re... See More
The Louisiana Purchase on the front page...
Item #701192
November 02, 1803
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 2, 1803 The top of the front page has an historic notice headed: "Louisiana Treaty" announcing the ratification of the treaty by the Senate by which the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory, referred to now as the Louisiana Purchase. It lists the names of the senators who voted against the treaty and those who voted in favor of the treaty.... See More
A Phillis Wheatley poem and biography...
Item #667871
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE London, September, 1773* Phillis Wheatley poem & biography
* Famous Woman servant turned poet
Near the back is a printing of a poem titled: "On Recollection" which was written by the famed black poetess Phillis Wheatley. This piece also includes a brief biography of her.
Phillis Wheatley was the first published African American poet and th... See More
Bank of the United States is created...
Item #705462
March 02, 1791
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, March 2, 1791 On the front page at the top of the first column under an engraving of an early version of the Great Seal of the United States is: "An ACT to Incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of the United States". The text of the act takes most of the front page and is signed in type: Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, John Adams, George Washi... See More
Latest news from the Revolutionary War in a very rare newspaper...
Item #695809
May 07, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, May 7, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781. This issue is volume 1, number 8.
Inside has a report from Charleston beginning: "Five deserters who came last week to Purysbu... See More
Perhaps the best newspaper to be had for Harrison's inauguration...
Item #685222
March 05, 1841
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 5, 1841
* President William Henry Harrison inauguration
* Inaugural address - best title to be had (rare)
Perhaps the best newspaper to be had on the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as the nation's ninth President, this being the premier newspaper from the nation's capital.
Most of page 2 is taken up with: &q... See More
Perhaps our best issue on the Chicago Fire...
Item #698614
October 10, 1871
CHICAGO EVENING POST--EXTRA, Oct. 10, 1871
* Great Chicago fire disaster
* From the same city (very rare)
This is perhaps the very best Chicago Fire issue we have offered. Not only is it from Chicago, but it is a day earlier than any other report we have offered from Chicago.
Most of the first column is taken up with heads including; "CHICAGO IN FLAMES" "An All-Night ... See More
Coronation of King James II and Queen Mary...
Item #698264
April 27, 1685
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, April 23-27, 1685
* Coronation of King James II and Queen Mary
* Best publication to be had - very rare as such
This is one of the more desirable & historic events of the period, with the entire front page & some of the back page taken up with the coronation of King James II and Queen Mary. The report is datelined April 23 and has a one par
... See More
* Coronation of King James II and Queen Mary
* Best publication to be had - very rare as such
This is one of the more desirable & historic events of the period, with the entire front page & some of the back page taken up with the coronation of King James II and Queen Mary. The report is datelined April 23 and has a one par
Washington proclaims an end to hostilities in the Revolutionary War...
Item #689607
June 09, 1783
THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, June 9, 1783
* General George Washington letter
* Announcing the end of hostilities
* American Revolutionary War ending
Certainly the most significant content takes almost an entire column of page 3, which has George Washington's letter announcing a cessation of hostilities in the Revolutionary War.
It is prefaced with a note stat... See More
Printed on a Southern plantation... The "reign of terror"...
Item #701902
December 08, 1862
THE COUNTRYMAN, Turnwold, Putnam County, Georgia, Dec. 8, 1862
* Only known title to be published on a Southern Plantation
* From Joel Chandler Harris's own personal collection
* Non-J.C.H. issues are quite valuable in and of themselves
The entire front page is taken up with a poem: "The Old Plantation!"
Page 3 has an editorial: "War" and page 4 is take... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #715883
March 03, 1878
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood, Black Hills, March 3, 1878
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This town would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. Plus, this is a volume 1 issue.
This ... See More
Terrific discussions on the value of independence from England... Confirmation Howe has evacuated Boston...
Item #687419
March 30, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)
This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
The entire front page and a portion of the back page are filled with a terri... See More
Treaty of Peace ending the Revolutionary War: abridged version...
Item #700633
THE POLITICAL MAGAZINE, London, October, 1783 * Historic Treaty of Paris (peace)
* End of the Revolutionary War
Near the back is the full text of: "The Definitive Treaty between Great Britain & the United States of America, signed at Paris, the 3rd day of Sept. 1783" which consumes over two pages, and includes the signatures of John Adams, B. Franklin, and John Jay... See More
The only American magazine that published during the heart of the Revolutionary War...
Item #702543
June 01, 1779
THE UNITED STATES MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, June, 1779
* The only American magazine that published during the heart of the Revolutionary War
In the entirety of the Revolutionary War only two American magazines existed, they being this one and the "Pennsylvania Magazine" which published in Philadelphia as well, from January, 1775 thru July, 1776.
The "United States Magazin... See More
Best of all Nast Santa Claus prints!
Item #701728
January 01, 1881
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 1, 1881
* Best of all Thomas Nast illustrations - prints
* Christmas - Santa Claus - Kris Kringle - Saint Nick
The full front page is a Thomas Nast illustration: "The Dear Little Boy That Thought Christmas Came Oftener." This print is somewhat compromised by the browning and mild margin wear, including the darker strip at the left side.... See More
Winslow Homer's famous Snap The Whip...
Item #715068
September 20, 1873
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 20, 1873
* Winslow Homer's most famous print
* "SNAP-THE-WHIP" - great for framing
Certainly, the prime feature of this issue is the much-desired Winslow Homer doublepage centerfold: "Snap the Whip". As the photos show, this print is in very nice condition.
Front page features a 1/2 page illustration entitled: "The New... See More
Early "beardless" Lincoln illustration on the front page...
Item #172366
May 26, 1860
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 26, 1860 This issue has become one of the most desired pre-Civil War issues of this famous illustrated newspaper, as it did much to propel Abraham Lincoln to national prominence and is one of relatively few published portraits of Lincoln without his beard.
This issue announces, in a very dramatic way, the selection of Lincoln as the Republican candidate fo... See More
New Jersey's first newspaper... America's independence to be acknowledged?
Item #687204
January 12, 1780
THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, Jan. 12, 1780 Titles from New Jersey are very uncommon, particularly from the 18th century. Of greater significance is that this was the very first newspaper in New Jersey, having begun just 2 years prior in 1778.
The entire front page is taken up with an Act of the New Jersey legislature titled: "An Act for Limiting the Prices of Various Articles, and ... See More
Extremely rare 1665 Oxford Gazette... Account of deaths from the Great Plague...
Item #698035
January 18, 1666
THE OXFORD GAZETTE, London, January 18, 1665 (1666 by today's calendar)
* One of the earliest & rarest of newspapers to be had
This is an extremely famous--and rare--title, being the predecessor of the famous "London Gazette", the oldest continually published English language newspaper in the world.
Because of the Plague at this time, the Royal Court had removed its... See More
The British review Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”…
Item #703376
May 30, 1776
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, May 30, 1776
* Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
* Critical British response
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
A terrific issue as almost the entirety of page 5 is taken up with a report headed: "COMMON SENSE: Address to the Inhabitants of AMERICA on several Interesting Subjects. October, Price 1s, 6d&quo... See More
Benedict Arnold responds... Nice war reports... Paul Revere masthead...
Item #687315
March 25, 1779
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR, AMERICAN ORACLE OF LIBERTY, Worcester, March 25, 1779
* 18th century American publication
* Revolutionary War - Benedict Arnold
* Masthead by Paul Revere
This newspaper published by the famed Isaiah Thomas is undoubtedly one of the more significant & notable titles of the Revolutionary War era.
It is worth noting that the famed printer Isaiah ... See More
A rare, patriotic, satirical ballad written by Benjamin Franklin... Great on the British evacuating Boston...
Item #704673
March 30, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776 The front page begins with a wonderful letter beginning; "The Ministry have boasted much of their regular, their disciplined troops, which they fancied capable of beating all the irregulars in the world. One would wonder how men of any attention to what has passed, could deceive themselves into such an opinion when so many fact... See More
The fall of Richmond... Very graphic...
Item #701664
April 04, 1865
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE, April 4, 1865
* The fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital
* Terrific heraldic eagle & map for display
See the photos for this terrific and extremely graphic issue reporting the capture of Richmond, which essentially meant the end of the Confederacy. Lee would surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 5 days later.
The first column heads read: "VIR
... See More
* The fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital
* Terrific heraldic eagle & map for display
See the photos for this terrific and extremely graphic issue reporting the capture of Richmond, which essentially meant the end of the Confederacy. Lee would surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 5 days later.
The first column heads read: "VIR
Lincoln's famous letter to Greeley, with Greeley's response... "Prayer of twenty millions"...
Item #691068
August 25, 1862
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Aug. 25, 1862
* Famous Abraham Lincoln letter
* "A Prayer of Twenty Millions" reply
* Tribune publisher Horace Greeley
On page 4 is one of the more famous letters from Abraham Lincoln, being his reply to Horace Greeley's editorial of August 20, "A Prayer of Twenty Millions", which urged emancipation.
Lincoln replies in his letter with ... See More
America's first war...
Item #689643
August 16, 1675
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Aug. 16, 1675
* King Philip's War - Metacomet
* New England Colonists vs. Indians
* First war in America (historic)
The back page has a report concerning King Philip's War, an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day New England and English colonists.
The significance of what is known as "King Philip's War" ... See More
The second of the Lincoln Douglas debates...
Item #687923
September 03, 1858
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Sept. 3, 1858
* Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas
* The Great Debates of 1858 (2nd of 7)
* Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois
We find that reports on the now-famous Lincoln Douglas debates are very difficult to find in newspapers outside of Illinois, perhaps not surprising because it was a senate race in Illinois and Lincoln was, at thi
... See More
* Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas
* The Great Debates of 1858 (2nd of 7)
* Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois
We find that reports on the now-famous Lincoln Douglas debates are very difficult to find in newspapers outside of Illinois, perhaps not surprising because it was a senate race in Illinois and Lincoln was, at thi
England's last ditch effort to reconcile with America...
Item #701400
October 31, 1778
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Oct. 31, 1778
* British last attempt - peace with America
The entire front page and a portion of page 2 are taken up with an historic document headed: "MANIFESTO and PROCLAMATION" by General Henry Clinton.
Once France entered the war on the side of the colonists, Lord North became alarmed & sent commissioners t... See More
Terrific slave auction illustration from 1856 - one of the most desirable...
Item #704979
November 29, 1856
ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Nov. 29, 1856 The most notable item within this issue is the very nice full page print captioned: "Slave Sale, Charleston, South Carolina, From A Sketch By Eyre Crowe", which depicts the sale of over a dozen slaves.
This woodcut print of Eyre Crowe's painting remains one of the most desired on the slave trade as only rarely are... See More
The historic Funding Act of 1790...
Item #686121
August 16, 1790
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 16, 1790
* Funding Act of 1790
Taking two-thirds of the front page and half of page 2 is: "An Act making Provision for the Debt of the United States" which is signed in type by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
This was the very historic Funding Act of 1790 which was passed on August 4, 1790 by the United States Congress t... See More
A graphic issue on the final days of the Civil War...
Item #701629
April 04, 1865
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, April 4, 1865 A wonderfully graphic issue on the capture of the Confederate capture, foretelling the doom of the Confederacy and the end of the Civil War within day.
The front page has a map of the Richmond vicinity above which is a heraldic eagle with a banner "Grant" "Victory" in its beak. Also a patriotic engraving at the top of the first &a... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #704229
June 20, 1882
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood City, Black Hills, Nov. 24, 1878
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light.
This issue is from the "hey... See More
Phillis Wheatley arrives in London...
Item #702240
June 22, 1773
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 22, 1773
* Phillis Wheatley's London arrival
* Famous Woman servant turned poet
Certainly the most notable report is found on the back page, which contains: "Last Thursday the celebrated negro girl Phillis, the Poet, whose extraordinary talents have lately been taken notice of in the News Papers, arrived in London from Boston in New England. She ... See More
One of the earliest baseball illustrations to appear in any periodical...
Item #705496
December 27, 1856
PORTERS SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 27, 1856 This issue of this once popular sporting journal features one of the earliest baseball illustrations to appear in a periodical.
This simple illustration, which is actually a 3 by 3 inch diagram, shows the position of the players, and is part of an article: "Base Ball" "How They Play The Game In New England".
The diagr... See More
1789 creation of the Department of War...
Item #703746
August 19, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 19, 1789
* Creation of the Department of War - Defense
* Beginnings stages of the federal government
* President George Washington signing
A very significant issue, as the back page contains the official Act of Congress creating the Department of Defense, then known as the Department of War. This was the "Sixth Act of the Legislature ... See More
Washington signs America's first Copyright Act...
Item #704053
July 17, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 17, 1790 A nice & very historic issue for display, as fully half of the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress titled: "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the Authors & Proprietors of such Copies during the Times therein mentioned."
This is a terrific issue for anyone interes... See More
Follow-up to Cornwallis' surrender... John Hanson elected President...
Item #687281
November 07, 1781
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 7, 1781 A wonderful issue on the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, which essentially ended Revolutionary War efforts by the British.
The front page has an: "Extract of a Letter from General Washington, dated Head Quarters, near York, October 27, 1781" which presents the: "General return of officers an... See More
Notable attempt at price controls during the War... Much fine war content...
Item #697211
July 15, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, July 15, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781. This is the volume 1, #18 issue.
The entire front page & most of the back page are taken up with what one scholar calls: &quo... See More
Lincoln is inaugurated, with his memorable address on the front page...
Item #688031
March 05, 1865
DAILY MILWAUKEE NEWS, Wisconsin, March 5, 1865
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Inauguration - inaugural Address
The front page begins with nice column heads including: "Inaugural Message Of President Lincoln!" "The Heavens Wept Profusely & the Streets of Washington Deluged in Mud!" "Latest From Sherman!" & much more on the closing events of the Civi... See More
Rare same-day report of Harrison's inauguration...
Item #687963
March 04, 1841
THE GLOBE, Washington, D.C., March 4, 1841
* President William Henry Harrison inauguration
* Very rare same-day report from nation's capital
A terrific & very desirable newspaper as this has a same-day report on the inauguration of President Wm. H. Harrison.
Such a report is likely only to be found in a newspaper from the nation's capital, however we have had several iss... See More
Washington coments on religious freedom and racial equality... On the Battle of Bunker Hill...
Item #701321
October 11, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Oct. 11, 1775 This is a wonderful issue on several accounts.
Taking the middle column of the front page is a notable address which: "...will be published in Canada, on the arrival there of Col. Arnold, with the troops under his command."
It is headed: "To the INHABITANTS of CANADA" signed in type: G. Washington, from Cambridge,
... See More
British reaction to Washington being named commander-in-chief...
Item #687211
October 18, 1775
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775
* General George Washington
* Named Commander-in-Chief
* Continental Army - British reaction
The front page begins with a nice item from London concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty ... See More
A "newsbook" predating the famous London Gazette...
Item #699486
February 25, 1663
THE NEWES, Published For Satisfaction and Information of the People, London, Feb. 25, 1663 An uncommon title in newsbook format (the forerunner of newspapers). It was published by Sir Roger L'Estrange who was an ardent supporter of the Royalists during both the English Civil War and the Commonwealth period, the latter being 1649-1660. He would lose his license to print during the Gloriou... See More
Historic Proclamation by the King formally ending the Revolutionary War...
Item #689194
February 15, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, February 15, 1783
* End of Revolutionary War
* King George III proclamation
* The cessation of hostilities
Certainly the prime--and very historic--content takes over one-third of the back page, headed: "By the KING, A PROCLAMATION Declaring the Cessation of Arms, as well by sea as land, Agreed Upon Between his Majesty's the most Christian King,... See More
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Williamsport, PA 17701
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E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
