Likely the most desired masthead from the 18th century... Paul Revere's segmented snake engraving - "Join or Die"
Item #719725
October 27, 1774
THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Or Thomas's Boston Journal, October 27, 1774 It would be difficult to properly place both the scarcity and desirability of this newspaper in the context of American history. This issue has the famous "Join Or Die" engraving stretching across the masthead.
In the same way that the famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" issue of the Chicago Tribune
... See More
One of the earliest appearances...
Ben Franklin's historic/collectible essay: "The morals of Chess"...
Item #716072
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1787 * Benjamin Franklin - Morals of Chess
* re. U.S. Constitution - George Washington
The most notable content is the historic/collectible essay: "The Morals Of Chess, By Dr. Franklin of Philadelphia", which takes nearly two pages. The article begins: "The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable q... See More
Letter regarding the poor by Ben Franklin... Engraving of the Corsican chief Pascal Paoli...
Item #715671
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1768 * Ben Franklin letter regarding the poor
* Engraving of Pascal Paoli of Corsica
Taking nearly two pages (156-157) is a letter: "Hardheartedness to the Poor Considered" which was written by Ben Franklin specifically for this publication. As was typical of Franklin, it was signed using one of his many pseudonyms: "Medius&q... See More
A Ben Franklin newspaper with the earliest mention of G. Washington we have found in an American newspaper? Death of Ben Franklin's brother...
Item #710763
February 12, 1756
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 1756
* Rare Benjamin Franklin publication
* Early Colonel George Washington
* French and Indian War officer
A fine Ben Franklin issue from the French & Indian War period, which includes what we believe is the earliest mention of George Washington we have found in an American newspaper. He was a colonel in the Virginia militia at th... See More
One of the earliest newspapers from the colonies...
Item #710010
May 15, 1735
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY MERCURY, Philadelphia, May 15, 1735
* Among the earliest of American newspapers
* Very early & rare colonial publication
As any serious collector of newspapers knows, it is exceedingly difficult to find any colonial American newspapers from before 1760, let alone an issue from 1735. It began in 1719 and only published through 1749. It was the very first newspa... See More
Uncommon Ben Franklin imprint concerning Quakers...
Item #706014
January 01, 1759
pamphlet: "THE LIBERTY of the SPIRIT And of The Flesh DISTINGUISHED: In an Address to those Captives in Spirit among the People called QUAKERS, who are commonly called Libertines. By John Rutty, An unworthy Member of the Community".
"Dublin, printed: Philadelphia, Re-printed by B. Franklin, and D. Hall. 1759".
Dublin Quaker physician John Rutty wrote various medical &... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #705746
May 12, 1743
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), May 12, 1743 This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of the Propagation & Revival of Religion in Great Britain & America", th... See More
Two Acts of Congress signed by George Washington... Will of Ben Franklin...
Item #705730
May 29, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, May 29, 1790
* President George Washington
* Two acts of United States Congress
* Benjamin Franklin's will after death
On page 3 beneath a woodcut of an eagle and shield are: "Laws Of The United States Published By Authority" containing: "An Act to prescribe the mode in which the public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proce... See More
On the historic Funding Act... Building the Cape Henry lighthouse... Much more...
Item #705729
October 06, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Oct. 6, 1790
* United States Funding Act of 1790
* Cape Henry Lighthouse construction
* re. Benjamin Franklin's death
The back page has not one, but two documents from the "Treasury Department" concerning carrying into effect the historic Funding Act of 1790, whereby the new federal government would assume the debts
... See More
* United States Funding Act of 1790
* Cape Henry Lighthouse construction
* re. Benjamin Franklin's death
The back page has not one, but two documents from the "Treasury Department" concerning carrying into effect the historic Funding Act of 1790, whereby the new federal government would assume the debts
On the death of Benjamin Franklin... John Adams' Discourses on Davila…
Item #705641
May 26, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, May 26, 1790 Given the death of Ben Franklin just the month prior, it is not surprising that page 3 includes a poem titled: "Dr. Franklin".
Pages 2 & 3 contain various discussions from "Congress". Also included is part of one of John Adams' Discourses on Davila (#VII), which was concluded in the following issue.
Four... See More
A eulogy on the life of Ben Franklin...
Item #705464
May 19, 1790
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" whi... See More
Famous "Unite Or Die" engraving in the masthead...
Item #705418
April 05, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, April 5, 1775
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic that represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War, it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead
... See More
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic that represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War, it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead
1856 - "Men and Times of the Revolution; Or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson"...
Item #705302
January 01, 1839
Book: "Men and Times of the Revolution; Or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson", 1856
The full title is: "Men and times of the revolution; or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson, including journals of travels in Europe and America, from 1777 to 1842, with his correspondence with public men and reminiscences and incidents of the revolution.", by Elkanah Watson, edited by his son, Winslow C. Wa... See More
This item is not eligible for free shipping.
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #704881
March 10, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), March 10, 1743,4 (year noted as such as it was 1743 or 1744 depending on which calendar was used).
This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of t... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #704880
May 07, 1743
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), May 7, 1743 This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short y... See More
A rare, patriotic, satirical ballad written by Benjamin Franklin... Great on the British evacuating Boston...
Item #704673
March 30, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
* Benjamin Franklin song
The front page begins with a wonderful letter beginning; "The Ministry have boasted much of their regular, their disciplined troops, which they fancied capable of beating all the irregulars in the world. One would wonder how m... See More
Death of Ben Franklin...
Item #704390
April 24, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, April 24, 1790
* Benjamin Franklin death (1ST REPORT)
Our records indicate it has been over 12 years since we have been able to offer a newspaper with some report on the death or funeral of Ben Franklin. Such issues have been very elusive.
The back page has a very notable--and early--report headed datelined at "Philadelphia, April 20, 1790... See More
One of the earliest newspapers from the colonies...
Item #704194
April 03, 1735
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY MERCURY, Philadelphia, April 3, 1735
* Among the earliest of American newspapers
* Very early & rare colonial publication
As any serious collector of newspapers knows, it is exceedingly difficult to find any colonial American newspapers from before 1760, let alone an issue from 1735. It began in 1719 and only published through 1749. It was the very first news... See More
Georgetown to be the nation's capital?
Item #703549
THE UNIVERSAL ASYLUM & COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, October, 1790 The issue begins with the continued: "History of the Life & Character of Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D." which takes 6 pages & includes 4 letters signed by him in type from 1753 & 1754: B. Franklin.Other articles include: "On the Invention of Porcelain in Europe" "Thoughts on Educatio... See More
With the desired Ben Franklin imprint...
Item #703537
July 19, 1753
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 19, 1753
* Most famous of newspapers
* Benjamin Franklin (very rare)
In the imprint at the bottom of the back page is the much desired Benjamin Franklin imprint, noted as: "Printed By B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL at the New Printing Office, near the Market". Franklin would later dissolve his involvement with this news... See More
Printed by Benjamin Franklin, but without the imprint...
Item #703481
July 26, 1750
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 26, 1750 A quite early colonial newspaper published by none other than Benjamin Franklin, although the "advertising leaf" which appeared with this issue, and upon which was the imprint of "B. Franklin", is not here as it was typically not bound with the issue since it carried only ads.
This issue is from before the French &... See More
Printed by Benjamin Franklin, but without the imprint...
Item #703480
October 04, 1753
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Oct. 4, 1753 A quite early colonial newspaper published by none other than Benjamin Franklin, although the "advertising leaf" which appeared with this issue, and upon which was the imprint of "B. Franklin", is not here as it was typically not bound with the issue since it carried only ads.
This issue is from before the French &... See More
With the desired Ben Franklin imprint...
Item #703479
August 02, 1753
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Aug. 2, 1753 In the imprint at the bottom of the back page is the much-desired Benjamin Franklin imprint, noted as: "Printed By B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL at the New Printing Office, near the Market". Franklin would later dissolve his involvement with this newspaper he made famous, and his name no longer appeared in the imprint... See More
Unrest among the nations along the Mississippi River... Ben Franklin...
Item #703437
November 04, 1791
THE WORLD, London, Nov. 4, 1791 Page 2 has a brief item: "Greater jealousies than ever subsist between the French, Spanish, and American Colonies on the banks of the Mississippi; each party complains of the encroachments of the other, although each has more ground than they can possibly occupy."
The top of page 3 has an: "Anecdote of Dr. Franklin".
Four pages, a few min... See More
Praise for an end to the war... Praise for Ben Franklin...
Item #703321
August 09, 1783
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, Aug. 9, 1783 Page 2 has over half a column is taken up with: "The Address of the Citizens of Philadelphia & the Liberties thereof, to his Excellency the President and Congress of the United States". This address deals with the end of the war with England, one small bit noting: "...we beg leave to assure ... See More
The first newspaper in New Jersey, plus war-related content...
Item #703304
April 05, 1780
THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, April 5, 1780 New Jersey was the last of the 13 original colonies to have a newspaper, its first issue printed on December 5, 1777.
The front page has a report noting: "...with respect to the wounded on board the King's ships Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, I cannot but acquit myself of his Majesty's strict orders, by renewing the strongest and most urgen... See More
Excellent account of the Sullivan Expedition...
Item #703290
October 13, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 13, 1779 The entire front page and part of the back page are taken up with a very fine & detailed account of the Sullivan Expedition. The report is signed in type by John Sullivan, who commanded the expedition.
This was a U.S. military campaign of the Revolutionary War, lasting from June to October 1779 against the
... See More
Negotiating a treaty with France... The war on Long Island & at Rhode Island...
Item #703279
August 13, 1778
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, August 13, 1778 Most of the front page is taken up with news & correspondence concerning America negotiating a treaty of assistance with France, including mention of Ben Franklin.
Page 3 has several reports on the war including a report from Fishkill on the battles at Long Island & Staten Island, then a letter to General Heath... See More
Ben Franklin's historic/collectible: "The Morals of Chess"...
Item #703113
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, April, 1792 * Benjamin Franklin - morals of chess
By far the most significant content is the historic/collectible essay: "The Morals of Chess. By Dr. Franklin", which takes 2 1/2 pages. Note: This essay was first printed in the Columbian Magazine in the Dec. 1786 issue. Regardless, this contemporary printing is among the few publications whi... See More
Ben Franklin creates a medal honoring the end of the Revolutionary War...
Item #702586
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1783 Near the beginning are 15 pages of: "Summary Proceedings in the Third Session of the Present Parliament" which include some discussions concerning America. Another article concerns the tune Yankee Doodle, particularly details on the presumed author of the famous tune (questionable) who had recently died. It notes: "Your readers, &a... See More
Treaty of Peace ending the Revolutionary War: abridged version...
Item #702490
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1783* The Treaty Of Peace (partial)
* John Adams and Ben Franklin (block) signatures
* Reports from New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston
Included is a portion of text headed: "The Definitive Treaty between Great Britain & the United States of America, signed at Paris, the 3rd day of Sept. 1783" the text being just the b... See More
One of the great rarities in American magazines...
Item #702283
May 01, 1745
THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, Boston, May, 1745 This is a very rare title, actually the first successful magazine in American history done in the traditional magazine format (Christian History preceded this by several years but was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening).
This magazine existed for about 3 years. Two previous attempts at a magazine in the colonies only lasted a few issues,... See More
Nice, detailed letter from Dr. Benjamin Rush...
Item #702244
April 23, 1787
THE MORNING CHRONICLE & LONDON ADVERTISER, England, April 23, 1787
* Founding father Dr. Benjamin Rush letter
* Declaration of Independence signer
Page 2 features a full column that includes a letter from Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
The letter was sent to Dr. Richard Price in the UK, a political reformer active in the cause of... See More
Washington responds to Congress' reaction to his annual address... On the death of Ben Franklin...
Item #701539
December 25, 1790
THE COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 25, 1790
* President George Washington
* re. State of the Union Address
* United States Congress reaction
* re. death of Benjamin Franklin
The front page begins with the Senate's response to Washington's state-of-the-union address, followed by his response signed in script type: George Washington. This is then followed by the House of Re... See More
Two Acts of Congress signed by George Washington... Will of Ben Franklin...
Item #701458
May 29, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, May 29, 1790 On page 3 beneath a woodcut of an eagle and shield are: "Laws Of The United States Published By Authority" containing: "An Act to prescribe the mode in which the public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proceedings in each state...", signed in type: John Adams, George Washington & Thomas Jefferson, plus a second Act conce... See More
Ben Franklin's lightning rod experiment... "Long Meg and her Daughters"...
Item #701438
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1752
* Benjamin Franklin
* Electricity experiments
* Lightning rod
An inside page has an extremely significant article titled: "A Cut and Description of a Machine, easily Constructed, for Making the Experiment by which Franklin's new Theory of Thunder is demonstrated" with descriptive text showing how this exper
... See More
* Benjamin Franklin
* Electricity experiments
* Lightning rod
An inside page has an extremely significant article titled: "A Cut and Description of a Machine, easily Constructed, for Making the Experiment by which Franklin's new Theory of Thunder is demonstrated" with descriptive text showing how this exper
Political observations by Benjamin Franklin...
Item #697976
September 04, 1759
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, September 4, 1759
* "Political Aphorisms...", by Benjamin Franklin (?)
The first and a portion of the second column on page 7 has "Political Aphorisms concerning Population", signed "F", which has recently been attributed to Ben Franklin (see Swann Auctions for more information).
Another London Chronicle from 10 days later,... See More
Very lengthy letter by Ben Franklin... British generals say America cannot be conquered...
Item #697886
September 09, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 9, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
* Lengthy letter from Benjamin Franklin
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
The entire front page and a bit of the back page are taken up with a very lengthy: &quo... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #697762
May 07, 1743
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), May 7, 1743
* Very rare 18th century magazine
* 1st successful magazine in America
This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of iss... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #697098
April 30, 1743
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 30, 1743 This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of the Propagation & Revival of Religion in Great Britain & America", th... See More
Broadside "Extra" of the Pennsylvania Gazette...
Item #694986
May 17, 1771
POSTSCRIPT EXTRAORDINARY to the PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE....Philadelphia, May 17, 1771
* Very rare "extra" edition broadside
* Pre-Revolutionary War America
A very handsome broadside (printed on one side only) "Extra" edition of the famous newspapers, owned by Ben Franklin during the previous decade.
The reports are news items from London brought over in the ships L... See More
Single sheet "Supplement" to the Pennsylvania Gazette...
Item #694917
August 03, 1769
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, No. 2119 (Philadelphia, Aug. 3, 1769)
* Rare colonial publication
This "Supplement" issue came with the Aug. 3, 1769 (date not printed here) issue of the Gazette but has since been separated. As was typically the purpose of Supplement issues, this single sheet is entirely taken up with advertisements that could not fit in the reg... See More
Just the 4th issue printed, by Ben Franklin's grandson...
Item #694368
October 05, 1790
THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 5, 1790 A very early issue of this title which existed from 1790 - 1794 before being retitled "Aurora General Advertiser". It was printed by Benjamin Franklin Bache, Ben's grandson. It began just 4 days previous on October 1, this being "Daily No. 4".
Page 2 has an article: "Dr. Franklin", otherwise various news of... See More
Very early from Maryland: the French & Indian War... Money owned to Ben Franklin...
Item #694150
March 13, 1755
THE MARYLAND GAZETTE, Annapolis, March 13, 1755
* Very rare & early American publication
A very scarce and early newspaper from the early period of the French & Indian War. Rarely are we able to offer Maryland newspapers from such an early year.
Page 2 has a report from Halifax, Nova Scotia, that: "...they are building two new batteries upon the beach...That the three gu... See More
Closing events of the Revolutionary War...
Item #690374
April 29, 1783
THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, April 29, 1783
* American Revolutionary War - closing events
The front page has some reports concerning the negotiations for a treaty of peace to end the Revolutionary War. Also reports headed: "America" which carry over to page 2 concerning various events in America, one bit noting: "...In January last, Col. Willet, with about 600 men... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #690181
April 28, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 28, 1744 This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short ... See More
Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America...
Item #689565
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1790 * Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America
Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the nice, attached fold-out map: "A Map showing the communication of the Lakes and the Rivers between Lake Superior and Slave Lake in North America."
The map shows the extreme western parts of Lake Superior and "Hud... See More
Marriage of Ben Franklin's daughter... Colonists distressed by duties..
Item #687574
January 19, 1768
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, January 19, 1768 Page 2 has a letter from Pittsburgh mentioning: "It is feared here that an Indian war will break out in the Spring...on an act of hostility committed by a party of Indians on their return to their settlements among the six nations, from an unsuccessful war in which they had been engaged with the Cherokees...they plundered & murdered ten of... See More
President Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #686595
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... See More
America is not about to compromise with England...
Item #686556
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1778 * No compromise w/ England
* American Revolutionary War
Among the articles within are: "The Theory of Insulating Bodies Examined, & some of the Supposed Properties which Electricians have ascribed to Glass, proved by Experiments not to Exist" which includes reference to Ben Franklin. Also: "On the ... See More
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Williamsport, PA 17701
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Full Contact Information
