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…

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…

NEWBURYPORT HERALD & COUNTRY GAZETTE, Massachusetts, March 17, 1801  

* Thomas Jefferson's first inauguration
* President of the United States of America

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…

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…

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 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…

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 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 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…

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…

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 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…

NORTH CAROLINA TIMES, New Berne, June 22, 1864  

* Very rare Union occupation publication
* New Bern, North Carolina on necessity paper 
* Former Southern Confederate stronghold

This is a Union occupation newspaper, as New Bern fell to the Yankee forces under General Burnside on March 14, 1862. This is the volume 1, number 44 issue. Our records indicate this is the first of this title we have offered from during the war.
The most intriguing aspect of this issue is not the content, but the paper…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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",…

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 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…

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…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 26, 1864 An historic issue reporting the fall of Savannah to the Union forces, with one of the more notable quotes part of the headlines, with ftpg: "CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH" "Hardee's Army Make Their Escape" "150 Guns, 13 Locomotives, 190 Cars & 33,000 Bales of Cotton Taken" "and more.
The most historic part of the report is Sherman's famous dispatch to: "His Excellency, President Lincoln: I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 8, 1853  

* Creation of Washington Territory
* United States Congress passes

Being the "mouthpiece of the federal government", typically this newspaper was the first to report notable political reports and developments So it is no surprise that nearly half of the front page is taken up with the Act of Congress creating the Washington Territory.
Headed: "Laws OF The United States - An ACT to Establish the Territorial Government of…

KENNEBEC JOURNAL, Augusta, Maine, March 8, 1861

* President Abraham Lincoln
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* "We are not enemies, but friends"

 Page 3 begins with the: "Inaugural Address" which is signed in type at its conclusion: Abraham Lincoln. It takes nearly 2 columns.
Page 2 has a lengthy editorial on: "Lincoln's Inaugural". It includes in part: "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 23, 1865 

* Rare Winslow Homer prints

There are many prints within but certainly the two most significant are the full page prints by Winslow Homer, captioned: "Thanksgiving Day--Hanging Up the Musket" and the other: "Thanksgiving Day--The Church Porch". A small stain in the caption of each, otherwise very nice.
Other prints include a front page; "Fearful Collision on the Third Ave. Railroad, New York"; "John T. Hoffman, the Mayor El3ct of New…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 24, 1781  

* Battle of Guilford Courthouse
* Greensboro, North Carolina
* General Charles Cornwallis loss

Page 2 has some nice war content. The 2nd column begins with: "By accounts from General Greene's army as late as the 24th ultimo, we learn that Lord Cornwallis is retreating towards Cross Creek and that our army was in pursuit of him."
There is also some nice talk about the historic Battle of Guilford Court House fought on March…

THE GLOBE, Washington, D.C., March 4, 1841  

* President William Henry Harrison inauguration
* Very rare same-day report from nation's capital

A terrific & very desirable newspaper as this has a same-day report on the inauguration of President Wm. H. Harrison.
Such a report is likely only to be found in a newspaper from the nation's capital, however we have had several issues of the National Intelligencer for this date and they only report plans for the inauguration.
The top of page 3…

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…

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 27, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have but scattered 19th century issues of this…

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 AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, April 22, 1779 

* The Battle of Horse Neck
* Greenwich, Connecticut
* General Israel Putnam
* Gen. George Washington

A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
This issue is volume 1, number 6.
The front page begins with a letter concerning depreciation of Continental money, taking over two-thirds of the front page.
Page 2 has a note from…

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 25, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have but scattered 19th century issues of this…

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…

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…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 26, 1777 

* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
* General William Howe proclamations

This was a strongly Tory newspaper published in Philadelphia when the British were in occupation. It began in 1775 and ended when the British evacuated the city in May of 1778. Not surprisingly, the masthead features an engraving of the Royal coat-of-arms.
The first column on the front page features…

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, December 20, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

This issue contains one of the most historically significant letters from the Revolutionary War, being Cornwallis' official announcement of his surrender to Washington at the Battle of Yorktown.
The report begins on the front page no less, prefaced with: "I am directed to send you the enclosed letter from Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis, to his Excellency the…

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Sept. 29, 1955 

* James Dean's "Rebel Without a Cause" advertisement
* Perhaps the best to be had on the iconic teen actor
* One month prior to it's premiere debut in America

James Dean remains a cultural icon of the troubled & struggling teen from the 1950's, and his aura only increased when he died young in a car crash on September 30, 1955, the day after this issue was published. Although he only starred in 3 films (his third, "Giant", was released…

NEW YORK HERALD, March 6, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln 2nd inauguration
* Closing weeks of the Civil War
* Assassination nears

Page 4 headlines at the top of last column about the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln include: "INAUGURATION" "Our Report of the Second Installation of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States" "Scenes at the White House in the Streets and at the Capital" "Washington, March 4, 1861, and Washington, March 4, 1865." "THE CONTRAST" "The Grand Reception in…

RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 24, 1775

* Olive Branch Petition
* Patriots are considered traitors 
* Printed by James Rivington
* American Revolutionary War
 
Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking over a full column of page 1 and a bit of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
This was one of the more historic documents of the war, adopted by the Second…

THE NORWICH PACKET of the CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Connecticut, Dec. 10, 1783  

* Historic Treaty of Paris (peace)
* End of the Revolutionary War

This must rank among the more beautiful mastheads of the 18th century with the handsome engraving of the ship.
Taking almost all of page 3 is perhaps the most significant document of the Revolutionary War era, being the complete text of the Treaty of Paris ending the war, formally headed at the top of the first column: "The Definitive Treaty…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, October 7, 1783

* Newburgh Conspiracy plan
* General George Washington
* Revolutionary War ending events

 Both the front page and page 2 have nice, lengthy letters concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy of that time.

VALLEY SENTINEL, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1912 

* Jim Thorpe wins Olympic gold medal
* Decathlon - Stockholm Summer Olympic
* Best publication to be had (very rare)

Although legendary athlete Jim Thorpe was born & grew up in Oklahoma, he has very close ties with the city of Carlisle. It was in 1904 when Thorpe attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School that his incredible athletic prowess was discovered by "Pop" Warner, one of the most influential coaches in early football…

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.…