Historic Newspapers: New Additions

TELEVISION TIMES from the Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times, Aug. 31, 1986 

* "The Oprah Winfrey Show" promotional ad (premiere)

This insert acts like a TV Guide for the following week in the Los Angeles area with a front cover notice on the upcoming "Jerry Lewis Telethon" which was televised the following day on Sept. 1, 1986. 
But page 3 has a very notable promotional advertisement on the upcoming premiere of "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW" which was to begin on Sept. 8, 1986. Great to have from…

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass. Aug. 17, 1970 

* Marxist feminist Angela Davis murder warrant
* re. the Marin County Civic Center attacks

The front page has a two column photo of Angela Davis with heading: "Charged With Murder" (see images) 
Complete with 22 pages, light toning at the margins, generally good.

Background: On August 14, 1970, a federal warrant was issued for Angela Davis, charging her with kidnapping and murder—a milestone in American legal history notable for both its political flashpoint…

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, July 28, 1935 

* Ocean Park Pier - Santa Monica, California death 
* Human Cannonball into Pacific Ocean stunt w/ photo 

The top of page 2 has a three column photo with heading: "Scene of Death of 'Human Cannonball'" Also a one column heading: "Substitute 'Human Cannonball' Killed" with subhead. (see images) See below for details. 

Complete 1st section with all 12 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally good.

Backgrou…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 23, 1946 

* "The Big Sleep" film noir - movie 
* World premiere - opening day advertisement
* Actor Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall 

Page 15 has a 13 1/2 x 5 1/4 inch advertisement for the world premiere of Howard Hawks' film "THE BIG SLEEP" starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in New York City. (see images)
Complete with all 38 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background: Howard Hawks’ 1946 film noir The Big Sleep stands as a rare cinematic anomaly,…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 29, 1980 (an original vintage newspaper leaf from the Calendar section)  This offering consists of four complete pages (two double-sided sheets on one single leaf), serving as a rare piece of cinematic ephemera, highlighted by an original vintage print advertisement for Star Wars: Episode V - "THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK" (second month) in L.A. on one of the pages. (see images).
In addition to the featured movie ad, which captures the era's distinct theatrical promotional…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 29, 1980 (an original vintage newspaper leaf from the Calendar section)  This offering consists of four complete pages (two double-sided sheets on one single leaf), serving as a rare piece of cinematic ephemera, highlighted by an original vintage print advertisement announcing the re-release of  "SUPERMAN" in L.A. on one of the pages. (see images).
In addition to the featured movie ad, which captures the era's distinct theatrical promotional graphics and classic key art,…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 29, 1980 (an original vintage newspaper leaf from the Calendar section)  This offering consists of four complete pages (two double-sided sheets on one single leaf) featuring a collectible print advertisement for upcoming live performances by "EAGLES" at the Long Beach Convention Center on one of the four pages. 

In addition to the feature concert ad, which captures the era's unique promotional graphic design and typography, the surrounding pages provide a fascinating…

Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1989 

* The birth of West Coast "gangsta rap"
* Dre. Dre - Eazy-E & more - N.W.A.
* Rappers music - anti-police lyrics 

Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single publication could simultaneously dictate global entertainment trends and govern the inner workings of show business. Today, physical copies are an absolute rarity, largely because they…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 29, 1941 

* H. R. Knickerbocker's upcoming book release advertisement

The back page has a large advertisement for the upcoming release of H.R. Knickerbocker's book titled: "Is Tomorrow Hitler's 200 Questions on the Battle of Mankind" with a image of Hitler. (see images) 
Complete with all 36 pages, a little spine wear, very nice condition. 

Background: This August 29, 1941 edition of The New York Times is a striking artifact of pre-WWII interventionist media, featuring a…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Dec. 28, 1932 

* Radio City Music Hall in NYC
* Opening night theatrical debut 

Page 12 has a one column heading: "Opening Held by Radio City" with subhead. (see image)
Complete with all 18 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally nice.

Background: On December 27, 1932, Radio City Music Hall debuted as a stunning Art Deco "palace for the people" amidst the Great Depression, delivering a lavish yet notoriously overambitious opening-night spectacle that…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 14, 1698

* Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
* Hold something in your hands from the 17th century
* Unique gift idea for that history buff

This is the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper, having begun in 1665 and is still printing in London to this day. And this is a very early, genuine issue. As was the case with most newspapers of the 17th century, this is complete as a single sheet, measuring 6 1/2 by 10 3/4…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Sept. 14, 1953 

* William "Atomic Bill" L. Laurence report 
* U.S. Army "Atomic Gun" - 85-ton weapon

The top of the front page has a banner heading: "Scientific Discovery Makes Possible a Super-Powerful Atomic 'Gun'" (see images) 
Complete with all 50+ pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, small library stamp within the masthead, generally in nice condition.

Background: William L. Laurence’s September 1952 New York Times reporting on the Army's newly unveiled…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, June 12, 1701

* Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
* Unique gift idea for that history buff
* At the turn of the 18th century

This is the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper, having begun in 1665 and is still printing in London to this day. And this is a very early, genuine issue. As was the case with most newspapers of the 17th century, this is complete as a single sheet, measuring 6 1/2 by 10 3/4 inches and printed…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Dec. 22, 1988

* Pan Am Flight 103 bombing
* Lockerbie, Scotland disaster
* Airplane terrorist murders
* Syracuse University students 

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "At Least 258 Dead in Scotland Crash of N.Y.-Bound 747" with subhead and two related photos. (see images) More on page 16. A archival mend on page 15 slightly affects the continued coverage on page 16. (see images)
Complete with all major sections (140+ pages), mentioned archival mend, otherwise…

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass. Aug. 18, 1970 

* Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain 
* Rare New England grand opening

Pages 14 & 15 has a nice displayable double page illustrated advertisement for the "GRAND OPENING - PIGGLY WIGGLY" in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. A few binding holes along the center fold.
Complete with all 20 pages, the mentioned binding holes along the spine, otherwise in nice condition.

Background: The August 1970 grand opening of a Piggly Wiggly in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, stands out as a…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 28, 1956 

* Civil Rights Act of 1964 clears major hurdle 
* To end Discrimination based on race - Negroes

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Civil Rights Bill Cleared By House Rules Group" with subhead. (see images) 
Complete with all 50 pages, some margin wear, generally good.

Background: This legislative breakthrough marked a critical turning point for the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, as clearing the House Rules Committee was historically one of…

MINNEAPOLIS SUNDAY TRIBUNE, Feb. 7, 1943 

* General Dwight D. Eisenhower named supreme commander
* Mediterranean Theater of Operations - North Africa campaign 

The front page has a five column heading: "Eisenhower Named Commander of North African War Theater" with subheads and photo of Ike. (see images)
Complete 1st section only with all 20 pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally in good condition.

Background: In February 1943, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s…

THE DAILY POST-BOY, London, Oct. 18, 1733  

* Forty-two years prior to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War

A fine example of this single sheet issue with the front page having various items from London, and the back page is mostly taken up with advertisements. Red tax stamp at the bottom of the front page.
Single sheet, 9 by 15 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

Background: The Daily Post-Boy was a British newspaper first published in 1733. It was known for covering a variety of topics…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, July 3, 2007

* Best "Transformers" movie advertisement
* Grand Opening Day premiere
* Science fiction action film

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture hit "Transformers" and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry - the Hollywood area's prime publication.

Note: Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for Opening Day showings, in the most desirable Hollywood-area newspaper -…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 25, 1954 

* Castle Bravo nuclear hydrogen atomic bomb detonation 
* Bikini Atoll - Marshall Islands - 15-magaton explosion 

The front page has a two column heading: "Hydrogen Blast Astonished Scientists, Eisenhower Says" with subhead. (see images) 
Complete with all 60 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background: Detonated on March 1, 1954, at Bikini Atoll, Castle Bravo remains the most powerful and infamous nuclear detonation in United States history,…

EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, June 17, 1918

* Walter Johnson, Jim Bagby Sr. & Harry Hooper
* World War I era major league baseball - MLB

Page 11 photos of three MLB players during World War I: "Walter Johnson, Jim Bagby and Harry Hooper" with brief text. (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 14 pages, small library stamp within the masthead, generally nice.
 

THE DETROIT NEWS, July 23, 1927

* The Israelite House of David religious commune
* King Benjamin Purnell scandal trial
* Benton Harbor, Michigan cult 

The front page has a nice banner headline for display: "BEN CALLS 'QUEEN' MARY FALSE" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with 18 pages, light toning and a minor wear at the margins, some binding holes along the spine, generally nice.

Background: August 13, 1927, marked the dramatic conclusion of one of the most sensational and unprecedented legal…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Feb. 19, 1939

* Golden Gate International Exposition opens
* Treasure Island (artificial) - West's World's Fair 

The top of the front page has a banner photo showing the opening of the exposition with Governor Olson's dedicatory address. And a four column heading reads: "The Exposition Is Open! Crowds Swarm Onto Isle" with subheads. (see images) Much more inside with many photos. 
Probably only reported with such detail in a San Francisco publication.
Complete with 40+…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 15, 1946 

* Operation Igloo - Jewish holocaust survivors
* Deportation of Jews from Haifa to Cyprus  
* British internment camps - Caraolos detention 

The top of the front page has a three column photo with heading: "British Divert Immigrants From Haifa To Cyprus" And a one column heading reads: "TERRORISTS CALL PALESTINE REVOLT; NEW CLASH IN HAIFA" with subheads and more, (see images) More on page 2.
Complete with 44 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

Background: On…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Dec. 27, 1932 

* Moweaqua, Illinois disaster
* Coal mine gas explosion

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "39 BODIES TAKEN FROM MINE; REST DEAD IN GAS PIT" with subheads. (see images) 
Complete with 12 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally nice.

Background: On Christmas Eve morning in 1932, the small town of Moweaqua, Illinois, suffered a devastating tragedy when a massive underground gas explosion at the Moweaqua Coal Mine instantly…

THE WORLD, New York City, April 27, 1869

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

The top of the front page has one column headings that include: "'SPIRIT' PHOTOGRAPHY" "Continuation of the Case Against Mumler" "Experts Show how Spirit Photographs can be Taken" 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 H.…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, July 25, 1963

* The Fat Black Pussycat - late night hangout
* Wavy Gravy, Tiny Tim and Moondog photo
* Debut of the Phantom Cabaret 

The front page has a heading: "Ghouls at the Pussy Cat" with photo showing Wavy Gravy, Moondog and Tiny Tim. (see images) Article continues on a inside page. This is very early for Tiny Tim, almost 5 years prior to his debut album.
Background: The July 25, 1968 edition of The Village Voice captures a legendary…

LOS ANGELES TIMES (Sunday Calendar section only), May 29, 1977 

* George Lucas' amazingly successful, original Star Wars
* Best opening day premiere - full page advertisement 
* Epic space-opera movie - film - pop-culture phenomenon

Page 5 has a great and very rare opening day (weekend) premiere advertisement for the iconic film "STAR WARS" stating that it "Starts Wednesday", and perhaps no better issue could be found than this, the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry -…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass. Aug. 18, 1964 

* Disciples of Christ Chapel of the Canyon Church
* Catastrophic bus crash youth group w/ Deborah Rogers
* U.S. Highway 101 near San Clemente, California

The top of the front page has a banner headline: "Cal. Church Bus Crash Kills 8, Injures 60" with subhead. A related photo is on page 5. (see images)
Complete with all 32 pages, tiny binding holes along the spine, nice condition.

Background: On August 17, 1964, a harrowing highway disaster struck when a…

THE SPRINGFIELD SUNDAY REPUBLICAN, Mass., April 23, 1944

* Pittsburgh Steelers & Chicago Cardinals merger
* "Card-Pitt" (Car-Pitts) - NFL football - World War II era

The front page of the sport's section has a two column heading: "Steelers and Cardinals To Merge for '44 Season" (see images) 
Complete with 30+ pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally in good condition.

Background: To officially merge for the 1944 season amid severe World War II player shortages, the Pittsburgh…

DAILY WORLD, New York, July 18, 1969

* South Vietnamese government expose (Saigon)
* Police state w/ tortures & human rights abuses
* U.S. Representative John Conyers Jr.

This publication, The World, represents the official voice and ideological "mouthpiece" of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) during one of the most volatile periods of the Cold War.
The front page has a nice banner headline: "SAIGON TORTURES BARED BY CONYERS" (see images) 
This publication was largely distributed by hand at political

NEW YORK WORLD, Feb. 12, 1862  The front page has: "Important Resolutions Of Senator Sumner", which is followed by the full text of his historic series of resolutions outlining what quickly became known as his radical "State Suicide Theory." 

Alongside this landmark constitutional argument, the issue features ongoing reports and official dispatches from the front lines of the American Civil War which help to provide context. The front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The War In

NEW YORK TIMES, May 31, 1862  The front page features a very nice map headed: "RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY FROM CORINTH" with the map showing from New Orleans to Memphis, to Pensacola.

Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "ANOTHER TRIUMPH" "Corinth in Possession of Gen. Halleck" "Important Events Proceeding the Evacuation" "Heavy Fighting & Important Positions Gained" "Retreat of the Rebels & Occupation of Corinth by Our Forces" and more.

Eight pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 1862  Page 2 of this issue features a report titled "THE LATE BURNING AT HARPER'S FERRY," detailing the destruction of portions of the town by Union forces. Page 3 carries a report on the "BRILLIANT SUCCESS OF GENERAL BURNSIDE'S EXPEDITION," with subheads including "Two Thousand Prisoners Taken" and "Elizabeth City Burnt By The Rebels," providing detailed coverage of the North Carolina campaign.

The historical interest of this issue lies

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 1849  Over two columns on page 2 are taken up with an excellent and very detailed letter headed: "Diluvial Gold Deposits of California". It begins: "The excitement of the public mind, growing out of the discovery of native gold in the diluvial deposits of California, will, I trust, furnish an apology for the present communication....". The letter has a wealth of information on the gold deposits, less than half of which is seen in the photos.
The…

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781  The masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document inscribed "Independence" while standing beneath a banner inscribed "Appeal To Heaven" and surrounded by ornate embellishments.

The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are taken up with: "The Revolution of America, by the Abbe Raynal. Distressed State of England in 1768."

Page 3 has various reports…

THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 14, 1744  This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of the Propagation & Revival of Religion in Great…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 4, 1790  Almost a full column is taken up with an Act of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle, this is: "An Act Imposing Duties on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels" which is signed in script type (desired) by the President: George Washington. Rarely is his full name spelled out in such documents.

Four pages, some some foxing and damp stain to the upper right, good condition.

NEW YORK HERALD, April 25, 1865  All columns on all 8 pages are black-bordered in memory of Abraham Lincoln. Two-thirds of the first column are taken up with nice heads concerning the funeral of Abraham Lincoln including: "HONORS To the MARTYR PRESIDENT" "Our Tribute to the Lamented Dead" "Arrival of the Cortege" "The Body In State" "The Procession to the City Hall" "Scene of Sadness & Sorrow" "Incidents of the Obsequies" & much more.

Further reporting on the funeral on pages 4, 5 and 8…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 29, 1798  Most of the front page is taken up with  3 Acts of Congress, one for: "...the relief of sick and disabled seamen.", each signed in script type by the President: John Adams.

Page 2 has: "French Duplicity" which relates to the XYZ Affair. Also: "From the Mediterranean" concerning Napoleon Buoaparte, and "More Stuff For Treason" regarding France, and a page 3 item gives updates on the Frigates United States and Constitution.

Four pages, great condition.

THE DOWNFALL OF BABYLON, New York, Oct. 3, 1835  A quite rare & unusual weekly (later semi-monthly) newspaper with strong anti-Catholic leanings published by: "Samuel B. Smith, Late a Popish Priest", as noted in the dateline. This newspaper published from 1834-1839 & features an engraving in the masthead showing various churches in ruin and a subtitle: "Or, the Triumph of Truth Over Popery".
The ftpg. has: "On the Moral Corruption of the Popish Hierarchy, Monks, Nuns, and People", a continuing…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 4, 1861 

* President Abraham Lincoln
* 1st State of the Union Address

Most of page 2 is taken up with: "The President's Message" being the annual state-of-the-union address of the President to Congress, signed in type at its conclusion: Abraham Lincoln.

Logically, much of his focus is on the on-going Civil War and its progress, although there is much more about the state of the nation. Page 3 has an editorial headed: "The President's…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1782  

* American Revolutionary War

The front page begins with a lengthy report headed: "Office of Finance" signed by: Robert Morris. 
Page 2 begins with a very fine & detailed letter from Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis dated Sept. 9, 1781, being an account of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, as reported in the London Gazette. The first paragraph notes: "...have the honor to inform your Lordship that on the 8th

THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE and GENERAL ADVERTISER, Portsmouth, Feb. 23, 1782

* Rare publication during Revolutionary War

 This is certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War era.
Page 2 has a letter that notes in part: "...the Americans might yet be brought back to a constitutional subordination to this country!...". Also: "The troops destined for the American reinforcement for the campaign of 1782 are not yet finally determined on; but it is agreed on all hands that it is…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1779

* Ethan Allen captivity
* Revolutionary War original

 Most of the front page is taken up with an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, prefaced with a paragraph signed in type by the Clerk of the General Assembly, none other than: Thomas Paine.
Page 3 has yet another Act which is prefaced with an intro signed: Thomas Paine. 
All of page 4 is taken up with the continued "Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Treatment during his Captivity." which is…

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 25, 1781  

* Two John Hancock signatures
* Richard Langdon signature (President of Harvard) 

A very handsome issue as the masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll with 'Independence' in the other, with the words 'Appeal To Heaven" above him.
Most of the front page is taken up with a…

TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, June 4, 1889  

* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame

We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The content is much as would be expected from a mining town, including many legal notices concerning mines, etc. A wealth of ads as well.
Four pages, various chipping near the bottom margin of the back leaf,…

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 allotted him from principle only. A most noble example & worthy of imitation in Great Britain, particularly at this time…

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, October 11, 1781 

* American Revolutionary War original
* American Issac Hayne's execution - hanging

Most of the front page is taken up with various correspondences from and to C. Fraser, Isaac Hayne, Lord Rawdon & John Collock, with a prefacing note: "The following are authentic copies of sundry papers which  Col. Isaac Hayne, two days before his execution, delivered to a friend with an injunction...".
Col. Isaac Hayne was one of the most prominent Americans to…

BALLOU'S PICTORIAL, Boston, February 9, 1856  The front page is mostly taken up with the Mass. state arms and scenes emblematic of the state.
Among the prints within are: "Floating Church Off the Tower, London" "Statue of Rubens, At Antwerp" "Royal Spanish Bull-Fight act Madrid". With an article on: "American Indians" are prints of; "An Mandan Chief" "Blackfoot Indian On Horseback" "Sioux Indians Horse Racing" "Indians Skin Lodges" "Dacotah Woman & Assiniboin Girl" "Group of Saukie and Fox…