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Nice content in this rare & very early title...



Item # 615044

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January 29, 1666

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, January 29, 1665 (1666 by today's calendar) - issue #22

* 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 simultaneously in London & Oxford), and when the contagion had subsided & the Court returned to London this newspaper went with it and renamed itself "The London Gazette" with issue #24, and the rest is history. This is issue number 22.
The front page has mention of New England in a report noting "...among other ships, one laden with Masts from New England, on His Majesties account." and the back page has mention of the colonies as well with: "...several ships are put in hither, much torn by storm; among the rest, one belonging to Lime, on Saturday last, who was above 400 Leagues in her way to Virginia; another of this town, the Edmond, bound for the West Indies..." with a bit more. And at the bottom of the back page is a rare reference to the Great Plague mentioning that the king is anxious to return to the city: "...during which time we hope God will in mercy so confirm the health of the city that his Majesty may with safety to his Royal Person, and the publick, immediately return to Whitechapel which He is pleased to express a very longing desire of."
Not only is this an issue of a very rare title which lasted for just 23 issues, but it has some noteworthy content as well. Complete as a single sheet newspaper measuring 6 3/4 by 11 inches and in nice condition.   

Category: The 1600's and 1700's