MERCURIUS POLITICUS, London, England, December 29, 1659  Subtitled: "Comprising The Sum of Foreign Intelligence, with the Affairs now on foot in the Three Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, For Information of the People.", this complete, 16 page issue is one of the forerunners of today's newspaper, called "newsbooks", being smaller in size than a more typical newspaper (6 by 8 inches) yet published on a regular basis with each issue numbered, thereby qualifying as a periodical. Very likely one of the earliest dated periodicals to be had in today's market.  An inside pg. has an interesting report concerning troubles with a transfer of authority of the Tower of London (see). Near the back is a report that "Resolved, That this House doth approve of the action of the forces in securing the Castle of Windsor for the Parliament...". Most of this issue is taken up with a wide range of reports from throughout Europe, most having a military theme. Portions of the text within are shown in the photos below. Published during the time of the English Civil War. Measures 6 by 8 in. and is in very nice condition with just a bit of loss to a blank margin on the back leaf. A fine opportunity for an increasingly rare--and early--"newspaper".