Historic Newspapers: Suggestions for Novices

THE TIMES, London, England, 1797  Perhaps the most revered newspaper in the world, it began in 1785 under the title "The Daily Universal Register", adopting its modern name on January 1, 1788.
An opportunity for a very nice issue of this iconic title with a decorative red-ink tax stamp at the top.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, very nice condition.

THE SUN, London, England, 1799  A fine issue of a typical late 18th century newspaper, the top of the masthead containing a decorative, red-inked tax stamp. Much news of the day and ads as well.
Four pages, good condition.

WEEKLY MUSEUM, New York, Aug. 16, 1800  Page 3 has; "Summary of the Late News" which includes a letter from Richmond concerning the "scourge" which has afflicted the city.
Four pages, 9 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches, nice condition.

WEEKLY MUSEUM, New York, Sept. 13, 1800  Although there are some news tidbits, there is much literary content. Four pages, loss to a lower corner affects 2 words on the ftpg., minor upper corner loss, 9 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches.

CENTINEL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT, Boston, Massachusetts, September 23, 1801 A single-sheet being comprised all of advertisements.

Rough edges along with foxing (see images).

THE PORT FOLIO, Philadelphia, 1802  "By Oliver Oldschool, Esq." Contains literary content, but some political editorials and comments as well.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown, and will generally be in better condition.
Measures 10 by 13 inches and contains 8 pages.

THE BALANCE, Hudson, N.Y., 1807 Has the text of a political speech, and various news reports. Quarto-size with 4 pgs., in vey good condition.

BALANCE ADVERTISER, Hudson, New York, 1808. This paper is interesting in that it is taken up entirely with advertisements (see). Complete 4 page issue, generally nice, measures about 10 by 12 inches.  The image shown is only representative.  Most issues do not contain illustrated ads, but have the same look and condition as the one shown.

THE REPERTORY & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Massachusetts, November 26, 1811 The ftpg. has: "Affair Of The Little Belt" being the correspondence between James Monroe and Mr. Morier, followed by those between Monroe and Foster. All letters are signed in type by their respective authors. Subscriber's name written above the masthead.

Complete in four pages with light fold rubbing and some foxing, otherwise in good condition.

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, dated during the War of 1812.   The issue you will receive is similar to the issues shown in the image - slight wear, minor staining and foxing, etc.. The issue will be dated from during the War of 1812 (between 6/18/1812 and 2/18/1815) and will have minor war related news and news of the day. A great issue to own at an incredible price. Although the image shows multiple issues, this is simply to show the look/condition of the single issue you will receive.

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London,  England. This magazine is dated in the 1820's and contains about 56 pages. The front page has a nice engraving of St. John's Gate.
The issue contains news & articles from around the world and is in nice condition. A nice period item form the 19th century. Please note - the issue you will receive will be dated from the 1820's, and will be similar to the issues shown in the image.

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, June 3, 1820

• USS Ohio launching - United States Navy
• African slave trade - slavers ships captured

The front page has: "The Infamous Trade" beginning: "Ten slave vessels had been captured by the U.S. ship Cyane..." with some details. Most of the issue is taken up with: ":Mr. Baldwin's Speech on the Tariff". The back page has a brief item beginning: "The U.S. ship of the line 'Ohio' was launched at New York on Tuesday last...She glided into the water in a

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Massachusetts, July 7, 1821 A writer relates his experience in eating rattlesnake (almost) in a front page article head: "The Rattle-snake eaten in East Florida."
Other news and advertisements, some which are illustrated, are within.
This is complete in four pages, untrimmed, and is in nice condition.

THE COURIER, London, 1822  A nice, "typical" newspaper from England during the early 19th century, with the entire front page taken up with ads and various news of the day on the inside pages. In great condition with a partial red-inked tax stamp at the top of page one.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown.
Measures about 13 by 20 inches, four pages.

THE NATIONAL GAZETTE AND LITERARY REGISTER, Phila., Oct. 25, 1823 "Reflections On Volcanos By Guy Lussac" takes three columns on the ftpg. and part of a column on pg. 2. These "reflections" were read before the Royal Academy at Paris. Traces of foxing, otherwise good.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, (Washington), Feb. 11, 1824 A folio-size singlesheet, most of which is taken up by a "Speech Of Mr. M'Lane, (Of Del.)". Traces of foxing but mostly nice. Untrimmed.

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, August 28, 1824  See the photo for the short article on an inside page concerning gold mining in Aruba. An uncommon account.
A complete, 16 page issue measuring 6 by 9 1/2 inches, scattered foxing throughout but causing no loss of readability.

THE PENNY MAGAZINE, London, 1836  A small illustrated periodical with an illustrated front page. 
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown.
Measures 8 by 12 inches, 8 pages, some foxing throughout.

NEW-YORK AMERICAN, May 4, 1827.

• Goose and Gridiron

A page 3 notice for The New-York Goose and Gridiron Refectory states that the owner has returned to his old stand and is ready to serve the public. Includes a small engraving of a goose on a flatiron. News of the day includes: "Police" "Virginia Elections" and more. Some edge wear, foxing spot in unrelated content, otherwise in good condition.

THE FRIEND, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1827-1828. A small-size Quaker newspaper subtitled: "A Religious and Literary Journal" which pretty much describes its contents. Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown. Measures approximately 11x 9 inches and containing 8 pages.

NATIONAL GAZETTE & LITERARY REGISTER, Philadelphia, 1831-1835  (sample issue). A nice antebellum period newspaper from Philadelphia, PA. The 4 page issues have multiple folds with some wear and/or browning at the folds, but are not pulpish or heavily stained. News of the day and period advertising throughout.The image shows an example of what you will receive.

NEW-YORK SPECTATOR, March 23, 1832 Ftpg. has a detailed meeting report: "Young Men's Auxiliary Colonization Society" along with a list of the officers &managers. Some light foxing.

PARLEY'S MAGAZINE, Boston, 1833  A little newspaper for children with several illustrations within.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown.
Measures 6 by 8 inches and contains approximately 8 pages. Occasional foxing and uneven margins.

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE AND JOURNAL AND ZIONS HERALD, New York, Aug. 2, 1833.

• Flathead Indians poem

The back page has a poem: "The Flat-Head Indians". By Miss E. Powers. Other topic of the day. Some fold foxing, otherwise in nice condition. 4 pages.

THE PENNY MAGAZINE, London, Nov. 30, 1833 A quarto-size publication, the ftpg. has a halfpg. illustration: "Central Nave of St. Peter's" in Rome. Small stain in the outer margin, o/w good.

This is a genuine check written on the "Otsego County Bank" of Cooperstown, New York dated 1834. Included is the amount in the lower left corner with a signature in the lower right. There is a nice engraving of an eagle with an olive branch in its beak.
An early financial item & great to have from this town famous as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Measures 2 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

ADVOCATE OF PEACE, (Hartford, Connecticut), 1834. An interesting magazine which has war as its theme, and the value of peace as opposed to war. Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown. Forty-six pages measuring 9"x6", disbound without outer wrappers.

This is a genuine check written on the "Otsego County Bank" of Cooperstown, New York dated 1834. Included is the amount in the lower left corner with a signature in the lower right. There is a nice engraving of an eagle with an olive branch in its beak (see images).

An early financial item & great to have from this town famous as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Measures 2 3/4 by 5 1/2 inches and is in nice condition. The photo shows one of several we have so your check will look almost

This is a genuine check written on the "Otsego County Bank" of Cooperstown, New York dated March 31, 1834. Included is the amount of $19 in the lower left corner with a signature in the lower right. There is a nice engraving of an eagle with an olive branch in its beak. Also a red ink cancellation.
An early financial item & great to have from this town famous as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Measures 2 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

This is a genuine check written on the "Otsego County Bank" of Cooperstown, New York dated Nov. 6, 1834. Included is the amount of $350 in the lower left corner with a signature in the lower right. There is a nice engraving of an eagle with an olive branch in its beak. Also a red ink cancellation.
An early financial item & great to have from this town famous as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Measures 2 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

PATRIOT AND DEMOCRAT EXTRA, Hartford, Conn., Apr. 2, 1835 Contains political content relative to upcoming state elections. Fold wear on the first leaf causes a few small holes, plus fold foxing, mostly to the ftpg.

THE HISTORICAL FAMILY LIBRARY, Cadiz, Ohio, 1836  A magazine of history, delving very extensively into just a few topics with each issue. Unusual in that this periodical's format was to use "flowing text", meaning sentences ran over from issue to issue, so any given publication whould begin in the middle of a sentence from the previous issue.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown. Measures 9 by 1 inches and

This is a genuine check written on the "Otsego County Bank" of Cooperstown, New York dated Sept. 6, 1836. Included is the amount of $25 in the lower left corner with a signature in the lower right. There is a nice engraving of an eagle with an olive branch in its beak.
An early financial item & great to have from this town famous as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Measures 2 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

THE GLOBE, Washington, D.C., June 14, 1837

• Slavery - slaves - Negroes

An advertisement on page 3 is headed: "Cash For Negroes" noting: "I will give the highest cash price for likely Negroes, from ten to twenty-five years of age..." with just a bit more (see).
News of the day with other interesting advertisements. Four pages, a little light foxing, a little margin wear, generally nice.

This is a genuine check written on the "Otsego County Bank" of Cooperstown, New York dated Oct. 30, 1837. Included is the amount of $10 in the lower left corner with a signature in the lower right. There is a nice engraving of an eagle with an olive branch in its beak. Also a red ink cancellation.
An early financial item & great to have from this town famous as the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Measures 2 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

THE JEFFERSONIAN, Albany, New York, 1838. A political newspaper by the famed publisher Horace Greeley, from very early in his career--before he began his famous "New York Tribune". Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown. Four pages measuring 12"x10", some light staining.

N.H. PATRIOT--EXTRA, Concord, New Hampshire, Feb., 1838

• Rare title

Just below the dateline is "Incontrovertible Facts -  Democrats, Read ! " with most of the content being politics and finance reports. Four pages, very nice condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D. C., Jan. 22, 1839 The top of page 3 has an interesting report from "Congress" noting: "...a joint resolution was introduced by Mr. Tallmadge for the amendment of the Constitution...provides that the President shall be elected for one term of four years and be ineligible thereafter..." with other restrictive ideas.
Four pages, nice condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., April 4, 1839  The top of page 3 has a report of the death of famous newspaper publisher Hezekiah Niles, it noting in part: "...the decease of the venerable and respected Hezekiah Niles, the founder...editor & publisher of Niles' Weekly Register--a paper universally known and esteemed in our country for its ability, candor, and useful character..." with more.
Four pages, nice condition.

THE CHURCHMAN, N.Y., Dec. 21, 1839.

• Uncommon title

As the name implies, contains mostly religious-related news and content. Second leaf has a narrow piece missing in the outer margin, front page has an area of lite dirtiness and a bit of lite fold rubbing, archival mends to two minor fold tears, some lite foxing.

This listing is for a set of high-resolution digital images (print quality) of the Patrick Henry bio found in the following:

CITIZEN SOLDIER, Norwich, Vermont, December 18,1840  "Devoted To the Interests of the Militia, Military Science & National Defense" as noted in the masthead, where also is found their motto: "In Times Of Peace, Prepare For War". Lasted but 52 issues, 9 1/2 by 12 1/2 in., a rare & uncommon title. Other than a little (typical) foxing, in great condition.

This issue

THE NEW WORLD, New York, 1841  Basically a literary newspaper although there are some news items near the back. The masthead features a nice engraving showing Columbus arriving in the "New World", hence the title.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown.
Measures 10 by 14 inches and contains 16 pages. Some foxing throughout, otherwise nice.

NEW-YORK COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER, Aug. 18, 1842

• John Quincy Adams
• Veto message

The front page has: Mr. Adams's Report On The Veto Message, signed in type: John Quincy Adams, and by several others. Other news of the day includes: "A Tornado" "Naval Court Martial" "The Cunard Steamers" and more.

Some wear, fold creasing, small hole at the fold juncture, otherwise good. 4 pages.

THE NEW WORLD, New York, 1843  Basically a literary newspaper although there are some news items near the back. The masthead features a nice engraving showing Columbus arriving in the "New World", hence the title.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown.
Measures 8 by 11 inches and contains 30 pages. Various foxing.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE PATRIOT AND STATE GAZETTE, Concord, June 22, 1843 The front page has the Report, Of the Warden, Physician and Chaplain of New Hampshire State Prison, June Session, 1843. Takes two columns and concludes on pg. 2. Other news of the day includes: "The President's Route" "General Jackson" and much more. Several interesting advertisements as well. Stray writing above the masthead, otherwise in nice condition. 4 pages.

THE WELL-SPRING, Boston, Oct. 4, 1844 A tabloid-size paper with 4 pages: "Published Weekly, By The Massachusetts Sabbath School Society", as stated in the masthead. Religious content for Sunday school children. Nice masthead has 5 spiritual-like woodcuts. Some foxing & minor edge tears.

AMERICAN PENNY MAGAZINE & FAMILY NEWSPAPER, New York, 1845. A small-size magazine with a front page illustration and a few more inside. Variety of content but not current news of the day.
Note that the photo is "generic" and the issue you get will not have this specific date.

THE WELL-SPRING, Boston, Nov. 28, 1845 A tabloid-size paper with 4 pages: "Published Weekly, By The Massachusetts Sabbath School Society", as stated in the masthead. Religious content for Sunday school children. Nice masthead has 5 spiritual-like woodcuts. Some foxing & minor edge tears.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 1847  Page 3 has most of a column taken up with: "A Proclamation" signed in type by the President: James K. Polk, concerning a treaty with the country of Peru, more specifically with some changes to Article VII of the original 1841 document.
The 1841 document is printed here in full, with signatures in type of two designated officials. The changes follow the document.
Four pages, nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 16, 1847  Page 3 has over half a column taken up with: "The War In Mexico" begins: "It is intimated by letters from Washington that the President and other officials there entertain the confident expectation of a speedy peace with Mexico..." with much more.
Four pages, nice condition.