Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 16, 1790

* Funding Act of 1790

Taking two-thirds of the front page and half of page 2 is: "An Act making Provision for the Debt of the United States" which is signed in type by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
This was the very historic Funding Act of 1790 which was passed on August 4, 1790 by the United States Congress to address the issue of funding of the domestic debt incurred by the individual colonies during the…

THE JET GAZETTE, Furth, Bavaria, Germany, October 1, 1946 

* Nazis sentenced to death for war crimes
* Hermann Goering & Rudolph Hess

 Published by the Army Air Force Station of Furth, this is the volume 1, number er 14 issue which  began publication after the end of the war in Europe.
The collectible significance of this issue would be difficult to understate. This airport began in the 1920's and when taken over by the Nazis in 1933 it became the training ground for the Bavarian Air…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, March 8, 1865 

* Abraham Lincoln's inauguration
* Inaugural address on the ftpg.
* Closing weeks of the Civil War - pro-Confederate title

Among the front page reports is: "Inauguration of President Lincoln--His Address" which contains his address in full, ending with the immortal words: "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right...".
Page 4 has an editorial headed: "Lincoln's Inaugural",…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776

* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)

This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
The entire front page and a portion of the back page are filled with a terrific letter signed by "A Common Man" headed: "To Cato, Cassandra, and all the Writers on the…

THE DAILY CITIZEN, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2 (4), 1863  A fascinating newspaper and arguably the most famous of any newspaper printed on Confederate soil, not just for being printed on the back of wallpaper (many others were as well) but because of the circumstances which surrounded the creation of this issue.
This newspaper was edited and published by J. M. Swords. As the Union siege of this strategic city wore on, his supply of paper ran out, so the publisher resorted to the use of…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, March 4, 1778 

* Battle of Brandywine - Creek
* Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania
* American Revolutionary War

This was a strongly Tory (pro-British) newspaper that began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia, so much of the content within is with a pro-British bias.
Rare to find such Tory newspapers in America, and those from Philadelphia would not survive beyond the brief…

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Nov. 5, 1806   

* Lewis and Clark Expedition letter
* Safe return - homeward bound

Page 2 begins with a notable report on the arrival of Lewis and Clark in St. Louis, after their 2-1/2 year expedition.
It begins: "It is, with the sincerest pleasure, that we announce to our fellow citizens, the arrival of CAPTAIN LEWIS, with his exploring party, at St. Lewis [sic]. The President has received a letter from him dated at St. Lewis, September 23, at which…

NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE: OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, April 4, 1776  

* Ethan Allen as a prisoner
* General George Washington 
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)

A wealth of fine content in this issue from this desirable year.
Page 2 has a wonderful address from the Massachusetts Council offering praise and support to "His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United American Colonies". This is followed by the heartfelt…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

This issue would rank among the most famous of all Lincoln assassination newspapers, as almost all issues found on the market today are one of the many reprint editions that have turned up for decades.
This is the genuine issue. And better yet it is the "3:00 a.m. Special Edition" as identified by the Library of Congress:
3:00 a.m. Special edition. 8 pages. The…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, May 19, 1790  

* Benjamin Franklin death funeral - eulogy 

The entire front page and most of page 2 are taken up with lengthy & very detailed discussion on: "Congress - House of Representatives" on the report of the Secretary of the Treasury.
Page 2 has two-thirds of a column headed: "Notices Of Dr. Franklin" which reads like a eulogy on him, having died just the previous month. A few bits note: "...is astonishing how the whole city was moved--His…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Nov. 14, 1796  

* President George Washington
* Farewell Address (retirement) 

Taking a full column on the front page, all of pages 2, and a bit of page 3 is an historic report headed "AMERICA - The President's Speech To the United States off America", more commonly known as Washington's Farewell Address.
The nation's first President announces his retirement from politics and explains why he decided against running for a third term.
In the…

PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 11, 1775

* The Battles of Lexington and Concord
* Start of American Revolutionary War

This is a gem of an issue, as it is what all serious collectors seek for their Revolutionary War collection: an American newspaper with a terrific report on the famous battles at Lexington and Concord.
This page 3 report, datelined from Salem, April 25, begins: "Last Wednesday the troops of his Britanic Majesty commenced hostilities upon the people of this…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York  A six issue set of issues containing the entire series of six articles on the life & career of Bob Dylan. The dates are March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17 and 24, 1969.
All are authored by Toby Thompson when he traveled to Dylan's hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota. Each of the articles have a subtitle: "A Good Family Boy" "Join the Elvis Rebellion" "Electric Bob Dylan Plugs In" "Bob Dylan's Ice-skates?" "Bob Dylan and the 'Girl From the North Country' " and: "For Old…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, Feb. 28, 1778 

* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America

This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
Half of the front page first column is a: "Proclamation" signed by: W. Howe, concerning naval affairs. Page 2 has: "It cannot have escaped the notice...that this country has…

THE DAILY JOURNAL, Wilmington, North Carolina, May 22, 1861 

* North Carolina secession
* American Civil War

Certainly the most notable report is the pg. 2 news headed: "Secession Of North Carolina!" "One of The Confederates States" "North Carolina Free--Lincoln's Military Despotism Repudiated" which also includes the two "Ordinance" reports for secession and for ratifying the Confederate Constitution.
Relating to this page 2 also has: "The passage of the secession ordinance by the…

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 the press to spread his harsh anti-Presbyterian, anti-Calvinist rhetoric, and to spread his fervently held views on the…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 23, 1778  Most of the front page is taken up with an address of the governor of New Jersey to the General Assembly concerning the Revolutionary War.
It begins: "I heartily congratulate you upon the agreeable news we have received from France...The treaties of alliance & of amity & commerce between his Most Christian Majesty & the United States of America by which our freedom, sovereignty & independence are fully recognized..." with much more, portions…

NEWBURYPORT HERALD & COUNTRY GAZETTE, Massachusetts, March 17, 1801  Page 2 contains Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural address, headed and beginning: "City of Washington, March 4 - PRESIDENT'S SPEECH. This Day at XII o'clock, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, took the oath of office required by the Constitution in the Senate Chamber, in the presence of the Senate, the public officers, and a large concourse of citizens. Previous to which he delivered the filling ADDRESS:…

NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER, New Jersey, April 3, 1865

* Fall of Richmond, Virginia (early report)
* The end of the Civil War is imminent ?
* Abraham Lincoln assassination nears

 This is a stand-alone "Extra" edition with a same-day report of the capital of the Confederacy.
The front page has column heads: "EXTRA" "VICTORY ! " "Richmond Captured This Morning" "City Reported On Fire" 'Enthusiastic Reception of Our Troops" "Petersburg Evacuated by the Enemy" "Gen. Grant Moving for the…

AI ANGLO SACSUN, New York, May 29, 1847  

* Promoting the spelling of words phonetically

Here is one of the more fascinating newspapers that was in the private collection.
This newspaper--which is volume 1, number 11--attempted to exploit a movement to spell words phonetically, just as they sounded. So their motto in the dateline is: "Devoted Tu Ai Difyushun ov Nolej and Nuz, Tru Ai Medium of Fonotipi, or the Tru System ov Spelin Wurdz As Iz, Just Az ae are Pronnst." (difficult to translate as…

THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, May, 1789  

* President George Washington
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* A detailed eyewitness account 
* In a American publication (rare)

Rarely are we able to offer an American imprint with a period report of Washington's inauguration and inaugural address. Great to have this text in this famous magazine published by perhaps the most renowned printer of the 18th century, Isaiah Thomas, whose private collection become the foundation of…

NATIONAL GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Feb. 20, 1793

* President George Washington
* Historic 2nd election victory

By far the most significant item in this issue is the page 3 report announcing the opening of the votes for President & Vice President.
History tells us that it was on February 13, 1793, when Congress officially tabulated the votes from the election of 1792.  Page 3 has a report datelined February 20 which states: "On Wednesday last [the 13th] both houses of Congress met in…

COURRIER D'AMSTERDAM or the COURIER VAN AMSTERDAM, May 1, 1811 (No. 122) 

* Exceedingly rare Napoleon Bonaparte occupation newspaper

This was a daily newspaper published in Amsterdam during the French occupation of Holland. It is bilingual: half printed in French and half in Dutch. Two mastheads as well, one in each language.
In 1810 Napoleon Bonaparte annexed Holland to his empire, hence this newspaper being in two languages. This issue was published during his occupation.
A very rare…

STORY & HUMPHREYS'S PENNSYLVANIA MERCURY & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1775 

* Battle of Bunker Hill
* Revolutionary War
* Very rare publication

Certainly one of the more scarce titles from during the Revolutionary War. This is the volume 1 number 27 issue of a newspaper that existed only from April 7 to December 22, 1775, publishing a total of just 38 issues. Brigham notes that only two American institutions have this date.
The interesting engraving in the masthead…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 2, 1803  

* Historic Louisiana Purchase
* Expansion of the United States

The top of the front page has an historic notice headed: "Louisiana Treaty" announcing the ratification of the treaty by the Senate by which the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory, referred to now as the Louisiana Purchase. It lists the names of the senators who voted against the treaty and those who voted in favor of the treaty.
This report is followed by the text of…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, March 8, 1665 (1666 in today's calendar)  

* Very rare 17th century Jewish prophet mention

The back page has a report from Vienna noting in part: "The Jews in this city have made a publick jubilee, with great expressions of joy, upon the news they have brought them, of the success of their brethren in Asia against the Turk, which continues to be confirmed from several parts, though with some difference of circumstances." Note: This is in reference to…

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…

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, March 4, 1865 

* Rare pro-white publication
* Abraham Lincoln inauguration
* Closing weeks of the Civil War

A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. This issue has much reporting and editorializing on Lincoln's inauguration, both with a strong bias against Lincoln.
Some articles area headed: "An Inauguration Scene "The Fourth of March" "Opinion Must Govern" "Drunkenness in Washington" "Mr.…

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…

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Dec. 17, 1783  

* American victory in the Revolutionary War
* George Washington and Nathanael Greene

This is certainly one of the more displayable newspapers of the Revolutionary War era with this quite large & decorative engraving in the masthead.
Page 2 includes a letter of congratulations to Major-General Nathaniel Greene by the people of Newport, R.I., for his heroic effort during the war, followed by his response…

THE PALMETTO HERALD, Port Royal, South Carolina, Dec. 8, 1864  

* Very rare Yankee occupation publication

This rare newspaper from Union-occupied Port Royal existed from just March 3 thru December 29, 1864. This newspaper would cease to exist 3 issues after this one was published. This may be the first of this title we have offered in our 50+ years.
We defer to the wonderful research presented by the Library of Congress for the following on this interesting title:
"Had the weekly Port Royal

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 over a full column.
The front page includes: "The Hampton Legion" "Sketch of Clarkesville" "The Defences of Augusta" "Burning Our…

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781  

* American Revolutionary War
* Post Surrender of Cornwallis
* Loyalist James Rivington

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…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 6, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

Certainly the most notable content is an early report of the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
The page 2 report notes in part: "The General is happy in congratulating this army on the following authentic & interesting intelligence, received from the southward. That on the 15th instant two of the enemy's redoubts at York-Town were…

DAILY MILWAUKEE NEWS, Wisconsin, March 5, 1865 

* President Abraham Lincoln
* Inauguration - inaugural Address

The front page begins with nice column heads including: "Inaugural Message Of President Lincoln!" "The Heavens Wept Profusely & the Streets of Washington Deluged in Mud!" "Latest From Sherman!" & much more on the closing events of the Civil War.
After the column heads is: "The Inauguration" dated March 4 & which begins: "President Lincoln was inaugurated at 12 o'clock noon…

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…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 13, 1781 

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

A terrific issue as not only does it contain a fine account of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, but it consumes the entire front page, carries over to take most of page 2, with additional information on page 3 as well.
The front page begins with a letter from Col. Tilghman, Aid de Camp to General Washington, datelined: "Head Quarters,…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 12, 1865  

* Civil War is over speech
* Abraham Lincoln's last public speech
* Presidential proclamation 128
* Just 2 days before his assassination

The front page has one column heads including: "RECONSTRUCTION" "Important Speech by the President" "His Views On Peace & Reconstruction" with the text of his speech beginning: "We meet this evening not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart. The evacuation of Petersburgh & Richmond & the surrender of the principal…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Feb. 26, 1782  

* Surrender of Lord Charles Cornwallis
* Revolutionary War - Yorktown, Virginia

The most historic content is on page 3 which begins with a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Lord George Germain, dated October 19, 1781. It contains in part: "...sailed from Sandy Hook on the 16th instant and arrived off Cape Charles the 24th, when we had the mortification to hear that Lord Cornwallis had proposed terms of capitulation…

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 page 3 of the daily edition the day prior. It was also reprinted at a later date in the N.Y. Evening Post.
Complete in 8…

RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 17, 1775

* American Revolutionary War
* Extremely rare publication
* James Rivington - spy publisher

James Rivington, the famous printer of this newspaper, had an interesting career.
He began this newspaper in 1773 initially with an impartial stance which shifted as a revolution loomed and public opinion polarized, until by late 1774 he was advocating the…

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE and COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Feb. 14, 1778  

* American Revolutionary War
* Battle of Brandywine & more

Almost the entire front page is taken up with a report on the treatment of American captures by the British, with considerable detail.
It begins: "The following is an account of the treatment that the Continental officers, taken in the frigates Hancock and Fox, and lately returned from a six months imprisonment, met with at Halifax...". Much detail.
Page…

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…

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 attempted but in North America. 'Twas in vain that his friends, observing the state of intoxication he was in,…

THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, July 14, 1881  

* Best old West title to be had
* Virgil Earp report

Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept this town in popular culture.
This issue was printed just 3 months before the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. In fact the…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 19, 1853  Page 2 has almost an entire column taken up with a very notable article headed: "Edgar A. Poe, by Henry Clay Preuss".
As a bit of background, the following from eapoe.org is very helpful:

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" & Wreck of the Steamship 'Scotland' Bound for Liverpool, off Sandy Hook".
But the prime feature is the great Thomas Nast doublepage centerfold: "Santa Claus & His…