The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
First election of Abraham Lincoln...
Item #683569
November 09, 1860
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 9, 1860
* Abraham Lincoln is elected President
* From our nation's capital
Perhaps the best newspaper to have with news on any Presidential election, being from the nation's capital.
Page 2 has a report headed: "The Presidential Contest" which begins: "Abraham Lincoln is the next President of the United Stat... See More
Brigham Young's Proclamation of martial law... Much more Mormon reporting...
Item #690286
November 18, 1857
NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 18, 1857
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Governor Brigham Young
* Proclamation of martial law
* Utah War declaration
Page 6 contains one of the more historic documents in Mormon history, with the report headed: "The Mormon War" which has a report from military officers on the situation: "...confirming the destruction of the supply trains...".
This ... See More
One of the earliest 17th century newspapers you will find...
Item #675381
February 23, 1641
GAZETTE, Paris, France, February 23, 1641 (date is in the imprint at the bottom of the back page).
* Earliest of newspapers to be had
This extremely early newspaper is filled with news reports with datelines from throughout Europe, including Naples, Rome, Nuremberg, Frankfort, Amsterdam, Cologne, with the back two pages containing reports from France. There are no advertisements.
This... See More
Sherman's Christmas present to President Lincoln and the nation...
Item #688778
December 26, 1864
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 26, 1864 An historic issue reporting the fall of Savannah to the Union forces, with one of the more notable quotes part of the headlines, with ftpg: "CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH" "Hardee's Army Make Their Escape" "150 Guns, 13 Locomotives, 190 Cars & 33,000 Bales of Cotton Taken" "and more.
The most historic part of the report is Sherman... See More
Two full page Winslow Homer prints...
Item #688997
December 23, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 23, 1865
* Rare Winslow Homer prints
There are many prints within but certainly the two most significant are the full page prints by Winslow Homer, captioned: "Thanksgiving Day--Hanging Up the Musket" and the other: "Thanksgiving Day--The Church Porch". A small stain in the caption of each, otherwise very nice.
Other p... See More
Woodhull & Claflin open the first women's brokerage firm on Wall Street...
Item #673569
February 06, 1870
NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 6, 1870
* Historic 1st female Wall Street brokerage opens
* Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin sisters
* "The Bewitching Brokers" shatters tradition
The top of the back page has an intriguing report of a very notable--yet widely unknown--Wall Street "first".
Under the column heads: "WALL STREET AROUSED" "The Female Brokers... See More
Timely report of the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...
Item #675460
December 01, 1791
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1791
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart death (1st report)
* Musical composer - Classical music era original
Presented inconspicuously among other death reports is a brief yet very notable report on the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ending with a prophetic comment: " At Vienna, Wolfgang Mozart, the celebrated German composer. ... See More
Lincoln's last public speech and last proclamation...
Item #682496
April 12, 1865
NEW YORK HERALD, April 12, 1865
* Civil War is over speech
* Abraham Lincoln's last public speech
* Presidential proclamation 128
* Just 2 days before his assassination
This issue was printed just 2 days prior to Lincoln's assassination, with the front page containing what is noted as Lincoln's last speech.
The front page heads include: "OUR VICTORIES" ... See More
Congressmen sworn in & Congress begins...
Item #686051
April 15, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Apr. 15, 1789
* 1st United States Congress begins
* Congressmen & speaker are sworn in
A terrific issue on the very first days of work for the new federal Congress.
See the photo for the page 2 report from New York mentioning that the Speaker & other members of the House are sworn into office, with a printing of a portion of their o... See More
Newspaper appearance of a Walt Whitman poem...
Item #652163
March 22, 1850
SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, June 22, 1850
* Walt Whitman - American poet
* 2nd Appearance of "Resurgemus"
A very notable issue for any literary collector as the front page contains at the head of the first column the second newspaper appearance of Walt Whitman's poem "Resurgemus" signed by him in type at its conclusion: Walter Whitman. The very first appearance was on... See More
Surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga...
Item #671586
December 08, 1777
EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Dec. 8, 1777
* Battles of Saratoga - New York
* General John Burgoyne surrenders
Certainly the most significant content is the page 2 report on the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, a very much-needed victory for the American cause. Some of the reporting includes: "...arrived in town express...we are sorry to say that Government have re... See More
Interment of Abraham Lincoln reported in his hometown newspaper...
Item #680774
May 05, 1865
ILLINOIS STATE JOURNAL, Springfield, May 5, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln's funeral & burial
* The very best title to be had
* An extremely rare opportunity here
Obviously a very damaged newspaper (see photos) however this is a newspaper from Lincoln's hometown, with coverage of his funeral & interment, and from the city where Lincoln was buried.
Although the front page has... See More
Unrecorded issue from Colorado...
Item #690238
August 21, 1880
THE SOUTHWEST, Animas City, Colorado, Aug. 21, 1880
* Very rare old West publication
* La Plata County - Durango
A quite rare title that printed in this town before moving to their new location of Durango in September. Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' does not even have a listing for this title in Animas City. This is the volume 1, number 44 issue.
Various ar... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #683040
July 24, 1889
DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 24, 1889
* 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. It attracted larger-than-life Old Wes... See More
Guy Carleton on leaving America... The need to determine a permanent site for Congress...
Item #687368
September 27, 1783
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, September 27, 1783
* General Guy Carleton
* Evacuation of New York
* Site for United States Congress ?
The entire front page and part of page 2 are taken up with a great letter on the need to determine a site for the federal government.
A few bits include: "Several writers have lately addressed the public shewing the n... See More
Great map showing North America... On taxing America without their consent...
Item #677981
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1776 The prime feature of this issue is the great map showing all of the western hemisphere titled: "A New Projection of the Western Hemisphere of the Earth on a Plane shewing the proportions of its several parts nearly as on a Globe, By J. Hardy, at Eton College."
The map is dated at the bottom: "by F. Newbery, Ludg
... See More
The map is dated at the bottom: "by F. Newbery, Ludg
Notable cartoon on the plight of Jewish refugees...
Item #679880
July 03, 1938
NEW YORK TIMES, July 3, 1938
* Jewish refugees political cartoon
* Escaping Adolph Hitler & Nazi Germany
The top of an inside page (E-3) has a very notable political cartoon concerning the plight of Jewish refugees trying to flee Nazi Germany, notable enough that it is a feature display in the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
This cartoon was created in anticipation... See More
The rare "steamer edition" from 1868...
Item #682464
August 29, 1868
THE ALTA CALIFORNIA - For Circulation In The Atlantic Started, Europe And South America, San Francisco, Aug. 29, 1868 At the top of the first column is: "Steamer Alta California" noting that it is: "...issued trial-monthly on the sailing of each steamer for Panama. It has the largest circulation of any Steamer paper on the Pacific Coast."
A very rare & early ne... See More
Great letter on Dummer's War...
Item #682627
January 01, 1726
THE POST-BOY, London, Dec. 30 to Jan. 1, 1725(6)
* Dummer's War - Northern New England
* Uncommon publication, nice for display
This early title typically has little if any American content, but this issue is an exception, and a notable one at that.
The back page has a speech signed in type by William Dummer, the Lt. Governor of Massachusetts Bay. This speech is concerning events... See More
Rare baseball newspaper from 1886...
Item #682925
August 13, 1886
OFFICIAL RECORD, New York, Aug. 13, 1886 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 i... See More
Pair of issues: criticizing astrology, with an astrologer's response...
Item #684757
October 01, 1869
BROUGHTON'S MONTHLY PLANET READER AND ASTROLOGICAL JOURNAL, Philadelphia, Oct., Nov., Dec., 1869
Also: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, May 29, 1869
The former was a fascinating and very unusual newspaper of small-size themed on predicting what would happen in the future--great to read in hindsight.
The feature article, which takes all of pages 1 thru 5, is headed: "A Reply... See More
Very rare baseball newspaper... "Hal" McClure... Bucknell graduate...
Item #684990
July 09, 1886
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 rea... See More
Very handsome Revolutionary War newspaper from Philadelphia...
Item #694765
December 11, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1779
* American Revolutionary War
* Great masthead for display
This newspaper features one of the most ornate and decorative mastheads of the Revolutionary War, the words "Pennsylvania Packet" so frilly that it can be difficult to read.
Most of page 2 is taken up with; "An Act for Vesting the Est... See More
Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #698030
December 19, 1795
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 19, 1795 Over half of the front page is taken up with the "President's Address" being George Washington's annual state-of-the-union address for the year 1795, a tradition he started in his first administration and which continues to this day.
The "Speech" as it is headed, is prefaced with: "This day, precisely at 12 o'clo... See More
First issue of a rare title which lasted just 3 issues...
Item #698082
April 25, 1863
ALBANY ARMY LETTER, New York, April 10-25, 1863 This was the volume 1 number 1 issue of an exceedingly rare title which lasted for just 3 issues, the others dated May 15 and May 28.
Content includes various local news, information on the progress of war, engagements of various regiments, a report of the presentation of battle flags at the Capitol, etc.
Complete in four pages, 7 1/2 by 10 3... See More
Ben Franklin's historic/collectible: "The Morals of Chess"...
Item #703113
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, April, 1792 By far the most significant content is the historic/collectible essay: "The Morals of Chess. By Dr. Franklin", which takes 2 1/2 pages. Note: This essay was first printed in the Columbian Magazine in the Dec. 1786 issue. Regardless, this contemporary printing is among the few publications which printed the essay which is highly desirab... See More
This racist newspaper reports the surrender at Appomattox...
Item #680181
April 15, 1865
NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, April 15, 1865
* General Robert E. Lee surrenders
* Battle of Appomattox Court House
* Dated the day Abraham Lincoln died
A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provide a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
Not surprisingly,... See More
Jackson's defining document in the Nullification Crisis...
Item #696642
January 18, 1833
SUPPLEMENT TO THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 1833
* Nullification Crisis w/ Andrew Jackson
An interesting single sheet printed on tissue paper-quality newsprint; very thin.
Save for a few ads on the back side the entire issue is taken up with the: "MESSAGE Of the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress, transmitting copies of the Ordinanc... See More
Terrific issue on the surrender of Lee at Appomattox...
Item #671725
April 11, 1865
THE SEMI-WEEKLY TIMES, New York, April 11, 1865
* General Robert E. Lee's surrender
* Appomattox Court House signing
Page 2 begins with: "The Crowning Victory" "Victory--Peace" with the leading dispatch reading: "This department has received the official report of the SURRENDER, THIS DAY, OF GEN. LEE AND HIS ARMY TO LIEUT. GENERAL GRANT, on the terms proposed by... See More
Earliest baseball song every written?
Item #675188
November 08, 1856
PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Nov. 8, 1856 A rather famous sporting newspaper, with a sporting-themed masthead, calling itself: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage". This is the vol. 1 number 10 issue.
Inside under "Base Ball" are the results from two games played at the "Red House". Also a nice summary of a "matc... See More
Early map of the Caribbean Islands...
Item #683352
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1756 The first two pages are devoted to the "Caribee Islands" [Caribbean] primarily limited to text on Barbadoes.But of greater significance is the great and desirable foldout map labeled: "A Map of the CARIBBEE ISLANDS Shewing which belong to England, France, Spain, Dutch, & Danes...". This map folds out to 8 1/2 by 13 1/2 ... See More
Taxation without representation...
Item #686049
July 25, 1768
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, July 25, 1768
* Taxation without representation
* Pre American Revolutionary War
The front page has: "The Nuns General Character & Way of Living from an Account of the Manners & Customs of Italy" which carries over to pages 2 & 3 as well.
Further on under: "America" is a report from Charleston which begins: "It seems hardly p... See More
Babe Ruth is sold to the Yankees...
Item #697270
January 07, 1920
THE DAY, New London, Connecticut, Jan. 7, 1920
* Babe Ruth sold to the Yankees (historic)
* New York Yankees (1st report)
* MLB baseball - Boston Red Sox
When it comes to baseball memorabilia on the immortal Babe Ruth, of which there is always much interest, this is one of the best. The sports page reports the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees.
The sale of Babe Ruth from the Boston R... See More
Confederate newspaper from West Baton Rouge...
Item #629702
August 17, 1861
SUGAR PLANTER, West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Aug. 17, 1861
* Very rare Confederate publication
Here is a very uncommon title from Louisiana during the first year of the Civil War. The front page is filled with ads. Among the column heads on pg. 2 are: "Calumnies of the Lincoln Press" "France Will Acknowledge the Southern Confederacy" "The Confederate Loan" ... See More
Jeff Davis' inaugural address: in a Confederate newspaper...
Item #666370
February 25, 1862
THE DAILY SOUTHERN GUARDIAN, Columbia, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 1862
* Jefferson Davis inaugural address
* Rare Confederate publication
A rather rare title and great that it has the word “Southern”.
Certainly the most notable content begins page 2 being: "President Jefferson Davis's Inaugural address, delivered in Richmond, February 22, 1862" which takes ove... See More
Confirming the treaty of peace is concluded...
Item #674650
November 13, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 13, 1783
* Treaty of Paris (peace) concludes
* End of the Revolutionary War
Page 2 has a report from Parliament concerning the work on the treaty to end the Revolutionary War, which includes a very historic statement. Bits include: "...The definitive treaties of peace between the Court of Great Britain and those of France and Spain and the Unit... See More
A Memphis newspaper from Jackson... Jeff Davis' annual address...
Item #683046
January 22, 1863
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Jackson, Mississippi, January 22, 1863
* Very Rare Confederate title from the "traveling" newspaper
* Memphis newspaper printed in Jackson, Mississippi
* Jefferson Davis - State of the Confederacy address
This newspaper had fascinating history as it was chased around the South. Note that this "Memphis" newspaper was published in Jackson,... See More
Text and prints on the Battle of Gettysburg...
Item #698154
July 25, 1863
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 25, 1863 The full front page is a nice portrait of: "Major-General Ulysses S. Grant ("Unconditional Surrender" Grant)". Inside has a full page: "The Siege of Vicksburg--View Upon the Extreme Right, Showing the Mississippi River Above and Below Vicksburg"; a full page with 4 prints: "The Siege of Vicksburg--Blowing Up the ... See More
"Memphis" newspaper printed in Montgomery, Alabama...
Item #684214
October 14, 1864
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Montgomery, Alabama, October 14, 1864
* Very Rare Confederate title from the "traveling" newspaper
* Memphis newspaper printed in Montgomery, Alabama
* A wealth of Civil War related reporting
See the bottom of this listing for the fascinating history of this newspaper. Among the front page items are: ""Forrest's Operations" takin... See More
Creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #669532
THE UNIVERSAL ASYLUM & COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, February, 1791 * First Bank of the United States creation
Certainly the most notable content is at the back where is found a significant report headed: Congress of the United States" with the text of the creation of the Bank of the United States.
It is titled: "An Act to Incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of t... See More
One of the more fascinating publishers from the Civil War...
Item #690641
April 23, 1864
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, April 23, 1864
* Very rare Civil War publication
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
W. G. Brownlow, or Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to t... See More
Great Thomas Nast Santa Claus...
Item #173054
December 29, 1866
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 29, 1866 The front page has a lengthy poem with a related print titled: "The Setter's Christmas Eve". Inside contains a full page: "Hauling Home the Christmas Boughs"; halfpg: "Scene of the Holy Nativity, Bethlehem" & "The Wise Men Following the Star in the East". Also: a halfpg: "John Surratt"... See More
"Proud Music of the Sea Storm" -by Walt Whitman - submitted by Ralph Waldo Emerson...
Item #652371
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, February, 1869* Walt Whitman's "Proud Music of the Sea Storm" - 1st appearance
* submitted to The Atlantic Monthly on behalf of Whitman as a favor
Pages 199-203 have Walt Whitman's, "Proud Music of the Sea Storm," which, according to the Walt Whitman Archive, has the distinction of being a poem submitted to The Atlantic Monthly by Ralph Wal... See More
'Official' report of the gold discovery in California...
Item #673119
December 07, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1848
* Gold discovered in California
* Official government report
* Pre 49ers- Forty-Niners
Beginning on the front page and taking all of pg. 2 and most of pg. 3 is the: "President's Annual Message" to the nation, in which is a rather lengthy & detailed report on the discovery of gold in California.
Although there w... See More
News of Cornwallis' surrender... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Groton Heights...
Item #673230
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781 * Revolutionary War
* Cornwallis' surrender
* Gen. Benedict Arnold
* Battle of Groton Heights
Near the back is a section headed: "American News" which has a "Copy of a Letter from Brig. Gen. Arnold to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, dated Sound off Plumb Island, Sept. 8, 1781" which takes over an ent... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #683689
May 23, 1889
DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) May 23, 1889 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. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed ther... See More
Commercial treaty is 'vanished in smoke'... Very handsome masthead...
Item #687380
November 15, 1783
PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1783
* Rare title w/ great masthead
Certainly a prime feature of this issue is the terrific engraving in the masthead, larger and more intricate than most and quite displayable.
Half of the first column is taken up with an ad for "Haym Salomon", a very noted Jewish financier during the Revolutionary War... See More
Imports, exports... Yankee Doodle...
Item #687381
March 06, 1769
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 6, 1769
* Early Yankee Doodle song mention
* Importation - exportation tensions
The front page has an interesting article about: "...George being now master of the ceremonies made the music play just as he pleased; and one night...he swore he would exhibit to the company a dance which had never been attem... See More
Great graphic issue on the Lincoln assassination...
Item #688985
May 06, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, May 6, 1865
* Graphic issue on Abraham Lincoln's murder & funeral
This issue remains one of the most dramatic of the newspapers reporting Lincoln's assassination, particularly for the terrific front page featuring a print of John Wilkes Booth leaping from the President's box at Ford's Theatre just after shooting Lincoln, showing the P... See More
Lincoln repeals Hunter's controversial order emancipating slaves...
Item #690313
May 20, 1862
NEW YORK WORLD, May 20, 1862
* General David Hunter order
* Emancipation of slaves
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs
The front page begins with column heads: "PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION" "Gen. Hunter's Proclamation Void" "The Power of Declaring Slaves Free Belongs to the President" "An Appeal To The Border States" "Gradual Abolition of Slave... See More
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