Historic Newspapers: New Additions

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, May 20, 1948

* 1948 Arab-Israeli War - Palestine War
* Arab Legion forces Siege of Jerusalem  
* Just 6 days after the State of Israel creation

The front has a two column heading: "Fall of Jerusalem to Arabs Near" with subhead and related map. (see images) 
Complete with 36 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, more so along the spine with small binding holes, generally in good condition.

Background:The establishment of UN-monitored inspection posts on June…

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, Dec. 30, 1945

* Adolf Hitler & Eva Braun
* Last will and testament found
* Mystery child ? - suicide plans 

The top of the front page has a nice banner headline for display: "HITLER'S FAREWELL PAPERS!" with subheads and small photo of Braun. (see images) Lengthy report continues inside.
Complete 1st section only with all 18 pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally in very nice condition.

Background: The discovery and publication of…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Feb. 24, 1932

* January 28 Incident
* Shanghai, China
* Japanese offensive

The top of the front page has a nice banner headline: "HUGE JAP BOMB RAID FAILS" with subheads. A few related photos on the back page. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Complete with 28 pages, rag edition in great condition. A few small binding holes along the spine.

Background: The February 24, 1932, rag edition of the Chicago Tribune captures a…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 5, 1930

* Blenheim - Thoroughbred race horse
* Wins Epsom Derby - Surrey, England UK
* Owner Aga Khan III

The sport's section (page 19) has a banner headline: "500,000 See Blenheim, 18 to 1 Shot, Win English Derby; The Scout II Is 15th" with subheads and photo. (see images) First report coverage on Blenhhaim, owned by Aga Khan III, winning the Epsom Derby
Complete with 52 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

Background: The 1930 Epsom Derby was a watershed moment that…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, February 26, 1948 

* Communists take over Czechoslovakia 
* Czechoslovak coup d'etat
* Soviet Union - Russia

The front page has a one column heading: "Czech Police Open Fire on Students" with subhead and related photo. (see images)
Complete with all 30 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally in good condition.

Background: The 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état, captured so vividly on the front page of The Detroit Free…

Sunday edition CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 30, 1990 

* West Coast hip-hop gangsta rap music 
* M.C. Hammer - Vanilla Ice and more 

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 were printed on standard,…

DAILY WORKER, New York, Feb. 22, 1956

* Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott
* Negroes hold meeting to continue 
* Ralph Abernathy & other key figures

This publication, The Worker, 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 heading that reads: "Alabama Negroes Bar Bus Compromise". (see images)
Original physical issues of The Worker from the 1950s are exceptionally rare today

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 1, 1980 

* Oregon State Hospital investigated expose
* 1975 film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

Near the bottom of the front page has a  heading: "Criminals Face Reality in Experiment" with lead-in: "LOCALE FOR 'CUCKOO'S NEST'" (SEE IMAGES)
Complete 1st section only with 30 pages, nice condition.

Background: The significance of the 1980 Oregon State Hospital "experiment"—and Dave Smith's sharp-eyed chronicling of it—lies in how it exposed the structural failures of a…

THE KNICKERBOCKER PRESS, March 16, 1933  

* Early newspaper advertisement (eve)
* King Kong, the movie for opening day

The back page has a 8 1/2 x 6 inch advertisement for the opening day premiere of "KING KONG" in Albany the very next day. (see images)
Complete with 16 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, irregular along the spine, generally good.

Background: The Albany premiere of King Kong on March 17, 1933, arrived at a pivotal cultural and economic crossroads for both the…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, August 31, 1942

* Battle of Milne Bay
* World War II - WWII
* Pacific theater campaign

The front page has a nice headline: "M'ARTHUR TRAPS JAPS IN MILNE BAY AMBUSH" with subheads. (see images) 
Complete 1st section only with 8 pages a little light staining, a few small binding holes along the spine, generally in good condition.

Background: The Battle of Milne Bay, culminating in the decisive stand at No. 3 Airstrip on August 31, 1942, was a monumental psychological and…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, March 26, 1933 

* Jewish persecution beginning 
* Nazi Germany gaining power 

The front page has a one column heading: "GERMAN JEWS FEAR RETURN OF OLD BONDAGE" with subhead. (see images) More on page 6.
Complete with all 26 pages, rag edition in very nice condition. A few small binding holes along the spine. 

Background: The events of March 1933 in Frankfurt am Main served as a critical, localized blueprint for the systematic destruction of Jewish life that would soon engulf…

Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Oct. 26, 1986 

* Very early "Guns' N' Roses" & "Red Hot Chili Peppers"
* Hard "Sleaze-Rock & Alternative funk-punk music 
* Axl Rose - Slash - Izzy Stradlin - Duff McKagan - Steven Adler
* Pre "Appetite for Destruction" album release (about 8 months prior)
* UCLA - "University of California, Los Angeles" campus 

Often revered as the undisputed "bible" of Hollywood, the Sunday Calendar section occupied a rare space in journalism where a single…

Sunday CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 14, 1999 

* Detroit rapper EMINEM album release party
* "Slim Shady" hip-hop - horrorcore rap music 
* Record label "Aftermath Entertainment" - Dr. Dre  

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…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 6, 1950  

* Colleges not permitted to discriminate based on race
* McLaurin vs. Oklahoma State Regents & more
* United States Supreme Court decisions

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "SEGREGATION IS BANNED IN THREE CASES" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with 30 pages, light toning at the margins, minor spine wear, generally very nice.

Background: On June 5, 1950, the U.S. Supreme Court issued several landmark decisions advancing civil rights and…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 28, 1945

* "Navy Day" Central Park, New York City
* Post World War II military celebration
* President Harry S. Truman speeches & more

The front page has a nice banner headline: "TRUMAN BARS RECOGNITION OF 'IMPOSED' REGIMES AND SETS 12-POINT U. S. POLICY FOR WORLD PEACE; 5,000,000 SEE MIGHTIEST NAVAL AND AIR DISPLAY" with subheads and related photo. Lengthy coverage continues on inside pages with more photos. Loads of text.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 25, 1945 

* Creation of the United Nations - UN
* Collective security for global stability
* Post World War II universal human rights
* Institutionalized Humanitarianism

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "CHARACTER BECOMES 'LAW OF NATIONS,' 29 RATIFYING IT" (see images) 
Complete with all 38 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background: The establishment of the United Nations on October 24, 1945, stands as a monumental pivot point in modern history,…

CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 17, 2010

* Best "Tron: Legacy" film advertisement
* Grand Opening Day movie premiere 
* Walt Disney science fiction action

A terrific issue on the premiere of the motion picture film "Tron: Legacy" 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…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 20, 1992 

* L.A. street gangs - Post-"The Watts Truce"
* The Bloods and the Crips rivalry ending ?

Near the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Gangs Demand their Place at Table of Opportunity" with subhead. Coverage continues inside with two related photos. (see images)
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
Complete with all sections (120+ pages), very nice condition.

Background: This issue…

THE NEW YORK TIMES. Sept. 13, 1933 

* Jewish boxer Barney Ross w/ photo
* World lightweight boxing championship
* vs. Tony Canzoneri at Polo Grounds in NYC

The top of page 23 has a banner heading: "35,000 See Ross Outpoint Canzoneri in World's Lightweight Title Battle" with subhead, photo of Ross and round by round description. (see images) 
Complete with all 42 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background: The Sept. 12, 1993, rematch between Barney Ross and Tony Canzoneri holds immense…

CALENDAR SECTION only of the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 14, 1985 

* Early "Metallica" heavy metal band 
* Hollywood Palladium advertisement 
* Bassist Cliff Burton era - "Ride the Lightning"

This Calendar section of the Times is loaded with entertainment related material throughout. Page 61 has a 4 x 3 3/4 inch advertisement with a few upcoming performances at The Hollywood Palladium including one by Metallica with Armored Saint. (see images)
A very early item for this San Francisco based Heavy Metal…

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, May 8, 1936 

* Hindenburg - LZ-129 zeppelin - airship
* Very 1st flight to America - North Atlantic 
* Lakehurst, New Jersey disaster fame

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "ZEPPELIN MAKING RECORD, DUE TO ARRIVE IN U.S. AT DAWN TOMORROW" with subheads. (see images)
This was the first flight to the United States of the ill-fated Hindenburg, almost exactly one year to the day from when it would explode in flames at the same location.
Complete with all 40+…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Jan. 15, 1985

* Iron Maiden - World Slavery Tour w/ Eddie the Head
* "Powerslave" album - English heavy metal group
* Radio City Music Hall concerts advertisement 

Page 68 has a 7 x 5 inch advertisement for "IRON MAIDEN w/ Queensryche" performances at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. (see image)
Background: The historic multi-night run by Iron Maiden at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall from January 20–23, 1985, served as a crowning…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, July 2, 1981 

* The "Wonderland Murders" & John Holmes ?
* American adult Pornographic film industry

Near the bottom of page 3 is a one column heading: "Four Found Slain in Laurel Canyon Home". (see images) 
Great to have from the capital of the adult film industry and the city where this event took place.
 I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because their was really no reason to save it at the time.
Complete 1st section only with all 28 pages, nice condition.

Background:…

ADVOCATE FAMILY GUARDIAN, New York, April 15, 1865  

* Printed the Day President Lincoln was Assassinated
* Slavery content

The front page has an article discussing slavery and how Christians should have risen to protest to be, "saved from participation in National guilt...".
Additionally, the front page has a poem which ironacally discusses the death of someone who will never be forgoten. What a beautiful, accidental tribute to the President who was about to be mourned and who did rise and stand…

LOS ANGELES TIMES (Late Final edition), Jan. 21, 1981  The front page has the full-banner heading: "Hostages Charge Iran Beatings",  with subhead: "State Dept. Doctors Find Evidence", with a related photo. Considerable additional coverage of the end of the Iran Hostage Crisis is found on inside pages.  Another front page article "Reagan Wants to Study Treaty Before OKing It". 
Other notable articles include "Kennedy, Wife Joan to End 23-Year Marriage", "Justices Clear Way for U.S. to Expel…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Jan. 21, 1981  


* Ronald Reagan inauguration
* Iranian hostages crisis ends

The front page has two historic headlines: "Hostages Fly to Freedom - 52 Greeted as U.S. Base in Germany" and "Reagan Takes Office - Calls for 'Renewal,' Freezes Federal Jobs. Both topics include corresponding photos and additional related articles on inside pages. See images for details.
The complete 1st section only, in very good condition.

Background: The dual headlines of January 21, 1981, capture one…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Jan. 15, 1884 

* William F. "Buffalo Bil" Cody death 
* Wild old West show fame 
* "Died with his boots on"

 Page 3 has a classic article  from the Old West with over half a column taken up with: "DIED WITH HIS BOOTS ON" "Tragic Incidents in the Life of a Typical Nebraska Cowboy". Within the article is a great report noting; "...At another time he was throwing dice with Buffalo Bill in Dave Perry's saloon in North Platte when some dispute arose between them...The party…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 16, 1776  

* Hanging of Nathan Hale - American Revolutionary War 
* "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country" fame

The back page has a letter from a man on board a ship at New York dated Sept. 25, 1776. It begins; "Our army has met with great success; we just arrived from Halifax when they made their landing on Long Island & saw the battles fought between our troops and the rebels..." with more detail (see). But it is a later sentence in…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, December 31, 1776 and January 2, 1777  

* Battle of Long Island - New York City 
* American Revolutionary War - 2 issue set
* Continental Army - George Washington loss 

These two issues contain an excellent report on the battle for New York and the eventual evacuation of the city by George Washington.
Beginning in the Dec. 31 issue and taking over 2 complete pages is the beginning of the report which continues on the front page of the January 2, 1777 issue along with…

THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, December, 1790  

* President George Washington
* 2nd State of the Union Address

Certainly the most notable content is the 1 1/2 pages taken up with: "President Washington's Speech" which was his second state-of-the-union address, signed by him in type: George Washington. 
The balance of the issue is taken up with a wide range of eclectic articles as noted in the title/contents page. Among the articles are: "Account of the Moravian Settlement at Bethlehem in…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1781

* Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown VA Virginia
* Revolutionary War from the enemy

Certainly the most historic report in this issue--and perhaps in any issue from the Revolutionary War--is that near the back of the issue under the "Historical Chronicle". It begins with an editorial comment: "Gen. Washington's letter to the President of Congress on the surrender of the British army under Lord Cornwallis is truly…

PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL, New York, May, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination w/ print

 Phrenology is a theory that the personality traits of a person can be derived from the shape of their skull. Although holding no validity today, it was a popular science in the mid-19th century and this periodical focused on it.
The feature of this issue is the page near the back which is devoted to Abraham Lincoln, including a nice portrait of him and a black-bordered article on his life.
Seven other pages has…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, September, 1775  

* Battle of Bunker Hill diagram - print
* John Hancock & George Washington

A nice issue with much historic content from the beginning months of the Revolutionary War.
Perhaps the best content is the very nice half page illustration of the "Redoubt & Intrenchment on the Heights of Charles Town, Commonly called Bunker Hill, Opposite Boston, attacked & Carried by his Majesty's Troops, June 17, 1775" with some text on the illustration as…

THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787  

* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president 

An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention--terrific to have in a newspaper from the city where these notable proceedings were held.
As such, this is likely the first newspaper to report this event, which significantly includes the election of George Washington as its…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 7, 1791 

* French Revolution
* Constitution of France

A very notable issue on the French Revolution as the front page begins with: "The French Constitution, Revised, Amended and Finally Decreed by the National Assembly".
It begins with the historic "Declaration Of The Rights of a Man and a Citizen" which includes all 17 Articles (there were several iterations but the essence of each Article remains).
This is followed a lengthy report beginning: "The National…

NEW YORK TIMES, April 11, 1868  The top of the first column has heads: "IMPEACHMENT" "The Opening Argument for the Defense Concluded" and more, with the text taking the entire front page and half of the back page.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 9, 1812 

* USS United States vs. HMS Macedonian
* USS Wasp vs. HMS Frolic

 The middle of the front page has a nice letter under: "Naval Chronicle" headed: "Official Letter from Capt. Jones of  the Wasp sloop, to the Secretary of the Navy" which is official account of the naval battle which resulted in the capture of the British ship Frolic. The report is signed: Jas. Jones.
The top of page 2 has: "Our Country's Naval Glory" "capture of Another First Class English…

ACT OF PARLIAMENT, London, England, 1759  

* 18th century original document

Nice full title page has an engraving of the Royal coat-of-arms. Inside has an act: "...for taking off the prohibition of the exportation of corn, malt, meal, flour, bread, biscuit, and starch."
A decorative document given the displayable title page.
Four pages, 11 by 7 1/4 inches, nice condition.

Background: The passing of this act in 1759 was a critical economic lever pulled by the British government to navigate the…

THE DAY, New London, Conn. April 29, 1926 

* Stunt man - daredevil Bobby Leach ironic death 
* Dies from a simple fall 11 years after Niagara Falls plunge 

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Bobby Leach, Who Went Over Niagara Falls, Dies from Fall on Orange Peel" (see image) 
Complete with 8 pages, light toning and very minor wear at the margins, generally in very nice condition. Some tiny binding holes near the spine. 

Background: The death of Bobby Leach stands as one of…

LESLIE'S WEEKLY, New York, August 26, 1915  The front page of this issue has a WWI-themed, color illustration: "Nosing Shells," by the Italian artist Fortunino Matania.  The inside of the issue includes "A Day With French Soldiers at the Front"; "Our Greatest Exposition at a Glance Triumphs of the Builder's Art"; "Pictorial Digest of the World's News" and much more.
Other advertisements of the day are included as well, helping to portray life at the turn of the century.
Complete in 16 pages, and…

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD, Texas, Oct. 17, 1991  

* Luby's cafeteria shooting massacre
* George Hennard - mass murderer
* Killeen, Bell County, Texas
* Best publication to be had - from where it happened

The banner headline reports: "GUNMAN KILLS 22" with subhead: "Suicide Finishes Killer's Rampage" with a related photo. As of the shooting, it was the deadliest mass shooting by a single person in the United States.The shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history up to that time.
The…

THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Nov. 24, 1783  

"One Inflamed Enlightened Heart" patriotic masthead

A very nice feature of this issue is the masthead engraving which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united colonies having a common, patriotic purpose. One of the more patriotic masthead engravings of the Revolutionary War era.

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 16, 1772  Page 6 has a report headed: "America" with a Charleston dateline which reports on a ship: "...had on board three companies of the Royal Irish Regiment of foot in the Spanish service...was one of several transports ordered to carry back the troops sent to Spanish America on the apprehension of a rupture between Great Britain and Spain..." plus two other items.
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, very nice condition.

background: In the 18th…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, May 31, 1994  This issue documents the passing of a highly influential figure in both American politics and religious history.
The bottom of the front page features a brief teaser note announcing "Mormon Leader Dies" alongside a portrait captioned "Ezra Taft Benson in 1985," which directs readers to a lengthy, detailed account on page 3 headed: "Ezra T. Benson, Leader of Mormons, Dies." Complete with subheads and an additional photo, the report covers his passing on Monday at…

DAILY NEWS, New York City, Oct. 25, 1972  

* Jackie Robinson death... Brooklyn Dodgers
* 1st African-American to play MLB baseball
* 1st be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

The headline announces: "GAME ENDS FOR JACKIE ROBINSON" with many pages within of him & his baseball career.
This issue is not complete with all pages, however, it appears as though all pages relating to Jackie Robinson were kept.
Tabloid-size, some light staining, most good condition.

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Oct. 7, 1773  An extraordinary issue, as page 5 contains what might be the first periodical publication of one of Phillis Wheatley's poems, "On Imagination".
Wheatley was an American writer considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was kidnapped and subsequently sold into slavery at the age of 7 or 8 and transported to North America, where she was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned

SANDWICH ISLAND GAZETTE & JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, Honolulu, Oahu, Aug. 20, 1836  

* Very rare publication
* 1st English language

This was the very first English language newspaper published in Hawaii, known as the Sandwich Islands at that time. It is the volume 1, number 4 issue. It was preceded by only two Hawaiian language newspapers, which began in 1834, with this title being the first English-language newspaper printed in the Hawaiian Islands - and the first to include commercial advertising.
 
The…

THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, April 29, 1778  

* The Articles of Confederation (historic)
* American Revolutionary War

This was the very first newspaper in New Jersey, having begun in December, 1777. This is issue number 22.
There are only a handful of documents in American history which can be considered cornerstones in the creation of our national government, which would include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution among a few others…