Historic Newspapers: Royalty (pre-1900)

Dutch newsletter/pamphlet from Amsterdam, August, 1632

• Very rare 17th century publication
• Siege - capture of Maastricht
• Dutch journalist & printer Broer Jansz

A very rare news pamphlet by the famed early Broer Jansz, one of the most prolific newsmen of the 17th century. Included with this item is an extensive biography of him and his work.
Included also is a translation of this 4 page pamphlet, headed: "Triumphante Tijdinghe" [Triumphant News] with the translation continuing: "About the

THE SWEDISH INTELLIGENCER, "The Third Part" as well as: "The Fourth Part", London, 1633

• Very rare 17th century periodical
• Publisher Nathaniel Butter

A very rare newsbook by the famed publishing team of Nathaniel Butter and Nicholas Bourne who are credited with being the founders of the English language periodical format, having published: "The Continuation of Our Weekly News" in 1624, taken from like-publishers in Germany & Amsterdam.
This title, item #847 in Crane & Kaye's "Census Of Newspapers

GAZETTE, Paris, France, Feb. 2, 1641  (date listed at the bottom of the back page).

• Earliest newspaper in your collection?

This title was the very first regular newspaper published in France, started in 1631 by Théophraste Renaudot but with influential backing by the powerful Cardinal de Richelieu. All the text is in French with the first letter in the title containing embellishments. An ornate letter begins the first paragraph on the front page.
Four pages, 8 3/4 by 6 1/2 inches, in great

MERCURIUS POLITICUS, London, England, May 27, 1652. Pages 7, 8, and 9 of this extraordinarily rare newsbook feature the complete twelve-article text of the Treaty of Jamestown under the heading: “Articles agreed on and concluded at James City in Virginia, for the surrendering and settling of that Plantation under the obedience and Government of the Commonwealth of England…”. Concluding with its official sign-off on March 12, 1651 [1652 using today’s calendar], this publication represents what

MERCURIUS POLITICUS, London, England, June 25 to July 2, 1657  An uncommon newsbook (the forerunner of newspapers) with the balance of the title reading "Comprising the sum of  Forein Intelligence, With The Affairs now on Foot in the Three Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland. For Information of the People."
This title was published by the famed Marchamont Needham. Needham had earlier sided with the Royalists & was consequently imprisoned but gained his release upon switching his loyalty to

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, Jan. 25, 1665 (1666 by today's calendar).

• Extremely early & RARE publication
• Rise of the self-proclaimed messiah Sabbatai Zev
• Jewish - Jews - Judaica

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 ravaging Europe at this time, the Royal Court had removed itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, February 1, 1665 (1666 by today's calendar) - issue #23 (the last issue before becoming the London Gazette)

• 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 itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, Dec. 7, 1665

• Earliest & Rarest of newspapers to be had
• Great Plague of London - epidemic 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. Plus this is the #7 issue.
Because of the Plague and an attempt to avoid the contagion, the Royal Court removed itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1 thru #23 were

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 removed itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1 thru #23 were published simultaneously in Oxford & London

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, Dec. 28, 1665

• Earliest & Rarest of newspapers to be had
• Great Plague of London - epidemic 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 #13 issue.
Because of the Plague at this time, the Royal Court had removed itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1 thru #23 were published simultaneously in

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 itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1 thru #23 were published in Oxford (actually published

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, January 25, 1665 (1666 by today's calendar) - issue #21

• Rarest & Earliest of newspapers to be had
• 17th century Jewish content - Jews - Judaica

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 itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1 thru #23 were

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 as to how the city would be rebuilt.
This text takes nearly half of the back page with a few portions including: "In the

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Oct. 4, 1666

• The great plague era
• London fire report

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 newspapers publishing in 1666 was extremely small, this title certainly being the most significant.
Page 2 contains a brief report with a "Westminster" dateline of September 28,

LONDON GAZETTE, London, Oct. 3, 1667  An early issue of this world famous newspaper which began in 1665 and still publishes today.
The front page has two items noting in part: "...Several merchants touched here and are again put to sea, all of them bound for New England, the Royal Exchange only excepted...". Also: 
"Yesterday arrived at St. Lucars our expected ships from New Spain, and in them about seven or eight millions of pieces of eight to the great encouragement of trade which was before

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 28, 1670  The top of the front page has a report from Vienna noting: "The Jews have offered great sums of money to the Emperor to dispence with his order for their banishment, or at least to give leave that a considerable number of them may be permitted to continue here, but have effected nothing and are consequently preparing to be gone within the time prescribed having already taken care to remove their Synagogue."
The back page has a brief item mentioning

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, May 15, 1673

• 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 LONDON GAZETTE, England, Sept. 22, 1673

• 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

Over half of the back page has details on the funeral of  Prince Charles, Duke  of Richmond and Lenox, who died by drowning in Elsinore, Denmark.
The front page has a brief item noting: "This morning arrived here the Virginia fleet, being about 25 sail of merchantmen...". This is early mention of the

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Nov. 27, 1673

• 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 LONDON GAZETTE, England, Jan. 3, 1675

• 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 - 351 years old

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

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" is lost with most Americans, but the event cannot be over-stated. This was America's first war, and the only newspaper in existence to report

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, August 19, 1675

• King Philip's War - Metacomet
• New England Colonists vs. Indians
• First war in America (historic)

The significance of what is known as "King Philip's War" is lost with most Americans, but the event cannot be over-stated.
This was America's first war, and the only newspaper in existence to report it was this title. As Wikipedia notes, this was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day New England and English colonists and their

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, May 17, 1677

• 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 LONDON GAZETTE, England, March 4, 1679

• Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
• Hold something original in your hands from the 17th century
• Great 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

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, April 10, 1679

• Early mention of Edmund Halley (he was only 23 years old)

• Popish Plot (to kill King Charles II)

The back page has not one but two items concerning the Popish Plot in England, a contrived conspiracy to accuse Catholic leaders of plotting to kill King Charles II.

A report from Dublin notes: "A Proclamation has been published...appointing a reward...to any person that shall...apprehend any Popish Dignitary or Jesuit..." with more. But the more notable

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Nov. 3, 1679

• Popish Plot (to kill King Charles II) pardon ?

This issue has two items concerning the curious Popish Plot, the fabricated scheme accusing Catholics of plotting the assassination of King Charles II.
Most of the first column of the front page is taken up with a Royal Proclamation by the king pardon to those providing information in the Popish Plot. The back page has a report from Whitehall concerning "...certain dangerous and treasonable papers

THE WEEKLY PACQUET OF ADVICE FROM ROME: OR, THE HISTORY OF POPERY, London, Jan. 28, 1680/1 (1681 by today's calendar).

• From the 17th century
• Rare variant publication

This was a fiercely anti-Catholic newspaper, created during the height of the "Popish Plot" hysteria (1678-1681), a fabricated conspiracy theory widely believed at the time, that alleged a Catholic plot to assassinate King Charles II. It had a short life before being suppressed.
Attached at the back is a single sheet headed: "The

THE WEEKLY PACQUET OF ADVICE FROM ROME: OR, THE HISTORY OF POPERY, London, June 17, 1681

• From the 17th century
• Rare variant publication

This was a fiercely anti-Catholic newspaper, created during the height of the "Popish Plot" hysteria (1678-1681), a fabricated conspiracy theory widely believed at the time, that alleged a Catholic plot to assassinate King Charles II. It had a short life before being suppressed.
Attached at the back is a single sheet headed: "The Popish Courant" of the same

THE IMPARTIAL PROTESTANT MERCURY, London, England, Jan. 3, 1681/2

• Rare 17th century publication
• Protestants versus the Catholics

This single-sheet newspaper is a fascinating paper published during this time of struggle between Catholics and Protestants in government.
News is entirely from England & Scotland, with most of a column taken up with advertisements.
Complete as a single sheet issue, 7 by 11 1/2 inches, nice condition.

Background: This specific issue of The Impartial Protestant Mercury

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 paragraph preface reading: "This day being the Festival of St. George, the Coronation of their sacred Majesties King James the Second

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Aug. 19, 1686

• The Battle of Buda (modern day Budapest)

The front page has a report from Vienna noting: "Upon the advice of the march of the Grand Viper to relieve Buda, the council of war hath been several times assembled here in the Emperor's presence; and orders have been sent to all the Imperial troops, which were dispersed in small bodies to join the army before Buda..." with more, continuing to take about half a column. The report is in regards to the Siege of

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Aug. 19, 1686  The front page has a report from Vienna noting: "Upon the advice of the march of the Grand Viper to relieve Buda, the council of war hath been several times assembled here in the Emperor's presence; and orders have been sent to all the Imperial troops, which were dispersed in small bodies to join the army before Buda..." with more, continuing to take about half a column.
The back page has a report from Windsor: "His Majesty has been pleased upon the

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, May 30, 1692  The back page has a report beginning: "There is lately discovered a conspiracy against the King's person, first carried on by the Chevalier de Grandval, a captain of a troop of dragoons in the French service..." with details on the attempt to murder the King of England.
Also a report from Whitehall concerning a naval battle. Much war reporting on the front page as well.
Complete as a single sheet issue with wide, untrimmed margins, 7 1/2 by 12 inches,

THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Nov. 19, 1692

• Rare 17th century publication
• Early optician, John Marshall ad

One of just four advertisements on the back page is a quite lengthy & descriptive ad beginning: "At the sign of the Archimedes and Spectacles in Ludgate street, the West End of St. Paul's Church, London, by John Marshal are made all manner of prospective glasses, telescopes, microscopes, single and double, reading glasses, large concave glasses..." with much more.
In the world of eye

GAZETTE DE LONDRES, March 14, 1677  This is a rare issue of the French edition of the very famous "London Gazette", obviously printed for the French-speaking residents of London, This is only the 5th or 6th such French language edition we have encountered in our 50+ years.
Of special note is we were able to pair this issue up with the corresponding issue of the LONDON GAZETTE printed in London, with the same date of March 14, 1677.
Both are complete as single sheet issues, 6 1/2 by 10 3/4

A COLLECTION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF HUSBANDRY AND TRADE, London, June 25, 1697

• Very rare 17th century publication

This is one of the more uncommon titles from the 17th century we have had the pleasure to offer, with the content relating much to the title.  The back page has a large chart showing prices of various grains by city.
Complete as a single sheet issue, never bound nor trimmed, wide margins, archival mend across the central fold where previously separated, 8 1/2 by 14 inches, good

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Sept. 11, 1701

• King James II of England death

The back page has an historic report of the death of King James II, the last Catholic monarch of England who was deposed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and spend the remainder of his life in exile in France.
The report from Paris dated Sept. 17 reads: "The late King fell into a lethargy on the 14th instant, and was thought to be dead, he continued in the same till yesterday, and died between three and four that

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Oct. 2, 1701

• James Francis Edward Stuart
• "The Old Pretender"

The ftpg. has a letter: "To  the King's Most Excellent Majesty" from the mayor and council of London, supporting the king in the insult from the king of France who considers the king of England as the "pretended" king.
As a bit of background, James II was the last Catholic monarch of Great Britain, deposed in the Glorious Resolution of 1688 and was exiled to France where he died in September. France had

London pamphlet from 1707. The full title page notes in part: "A SERMON Preach'd before the QUEEN, in Lent, 1704. At Saint James's" with more, the second edition, London, 1707.
Complete in 16 numbered pages, 4 1/4 by 6 1/2 inches, nice condition.

London pamphlet from 1707

• Sir William Dawes, 3rd Baronet
• King William III of England

The full title page notes in part: "A SERMON Preach'd before KING WILLIAM at Kensington, January 1701" with more, the second edition, London, 1707.
Complete in 16 numbered pages, 4 1/4 by 6 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

Background: In 1707, Sir William Dawes delivered a sermon titled The True Meaning of the Eternity of Hell-Torments, which reflected the 18th-century Anglican Church's emphasis on divine

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, May 5, 1707

• "The Acts of Union" ratification
• The creation of "Great Britain"
• England & Scotland merger

The front page begins with an announcement from Whitehall, in London, dated May 1, stating: "This being the deay appointed for the General Thanksgiving for the happy Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, Her majesty went in a coach of state to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul...to return thanks to Almighty God for that great blessing..." with more on this.

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, October 27, 1707

• First Parliament of Great Britain

A very historic issue as the front page reports on the very first session of Parliament of the newly-created Parliament of Great Britain which occurred on October 23. The union of England and Scotland was official several months previous by the ratification of the Acts of Union involving both England and Scotland.
The front page reports from Westminster, with an Oct. 23 dateline, the arrival of Queen Anne. There

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Aug. 10, 1710  The back page has a notable report: "The Queen hath been pleased to appoint the Honourable Lord Archibald Hamilton to be Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the island of Jamaica...Robert Lowther Esq. to succeed Milford Crow, Esq., in the government of Barbadoes; and Colonel Corbet to succeed Colonel Seymour in the government of  the province of Maryland...".
As for the latter, records show General Lloyd actually succeeded Col. Seymour.
Single

THE EXAMINER, London, Oct. 9, 1713

• Rare 18th century publication

This editorial-format newspaper was edited by the famed Jonathan Swift at this time (of Gulliver's Travels fame), It promoted a Tory perspective on British politics, at a time when Queen Anne had replaced Whig ministers with Tories.
Complete as a single sheet newspaper as was typical of the day, 8 1/4 by 13 inches, untrimmed margins, nice condition.

THE EXAMINER, London, Oct. 12, 1713

• Rare 18th century publication

This editorial-format newspaper was edited by the famed Jonathan Swift at this time (of Gulliver's Travels fame), It promoted a Tory perspective on British politics, at a time when Queen Anne had replaced Whig ministers with Tories.
Complete as a single sheet newspaper as was typical of the day, 7 1/2 by 13 inches, a little close cut along the bottom margin of the backside, nice condition.

background: The October 12, 1713, issue

THE POST BOY, Sept. 8, 1716

• British architect Christopher Wren
• Rare publication w/ nice masthead

Near the top of the back page is a very significant item on the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren.
The report reads: "Christopher Wren, Esq., is removed from being Clerk of his Majesty's Works, and is succeeded by John Mercer Esq., formerly belonging to Mr. How's Office, as pay-master of the guards and garrison."
Christopher Wren is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.

THE POST BOY, London, Dec. 1, 1716 This was one of the prominent early newspapers published in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
It began publication in 1695, & was a single-sheet folio newspaper, printed on both sides, carrying a mix of foreign news (especially European wars, treaties, and royal affairs), English news, advertisements, & legal notices.
A prime & displayable feature is the ornate, decorative masthead, which includes engravings of a post boy (messenger on

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1733

• The death report of Barton Booth
• Poem (extracts) written by Lord Baltimore
• Value of crops in the American colonies

Probably the most notable item is the obituary of Barton Booth (page 269), one of the most celebrated dramatic actors of the early-mid 1700's.

Another interesting article has: "Extracts of a Poem to Lord Baltimore".

Included also is a nice article titled: "The Case Stated betwixt the Sugar Colonies in the Islands and those on the

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1737  There are two reports in this issue concerning America, one headed: "An American Story" which concerns Mexico. The other is the King of Spain's order to his governors in America.
Among the other articles noted in the table of contents are: "The Salt Tax a Heavy Burden" "Taxes Mortgaged to the South Sea Company Most Grievous" "A Mathematical Problem & two Others Solved" and more.
Near the back is a section headed: "Historical Chronicle" with news

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1738  One of the articles within begins: "I have orders...the British subjects complain in the strongest manner of the oblique ways & unjust means which the Spanish officers in the West Indies make use of for condemning & confiscating their ships..." with more, taking almost an entire pg. (see photos for portions).
Among the articles noted in the table of contents are: "Dr. Mortimer's Account of a Remedy for the Bite of a Viper" "A Story of the King