Historic Newspapers: Pre-Civil War

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  • John Brown and the Harper's Ferry uprising...
    Item #699718
    NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 8, 1859  

    * John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
    * Harpers Ferry WV - West Virginia


    The last column of the front page has: "The Harper's Ferry Affair" "The Excitement & Crisis in the South" with many subheads. Also: "The Law of Virginia In Regard to Pardons"... Read full description  
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    $45.00
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  • The John Brown Harper's Ferry insurrection...
    Item #699716
    NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 2, 1859  

    * John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
    * Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia trial


    The front page has column heads including: "The Harper's Ferry Affair" "Argument for Arrest of Judgment in Old Brown's Case" "The Trial of Coppie [Coppic] Commenced"... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • John Brown & the Harper's Ferry insurrection...
    Item #699715
    NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 31, 1859  

    * John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
    * Harpers Ferry WV - West Virginia trial


    The top of the front page has column heads: "The Harper's Ferry Outbreak" "The Trial of John Brown, Charged with Conspiracy, Treason and Murder" "Conclusion of the... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • Much on the John Brown insurrection...   The Underground Railroad...   Seeking Frederick Douglass...
    Item #699702
    NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 28, 1859  The top of the front page has some nice column heads on the Harper's Ferry insurrection: "The Harper's Ferry Outbreak" "The Trial of John Brown, Charged with Insurrection, Treason and Murder" "The Testimony of the Witnesses Against the Prisoner" "Confession... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #365 - released for April, 2026

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    $95.00
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  • First of this title we have offered?
    Item #699658
    THE SUNBEAM, London, April 21, 1838  Printed in the masthead is: "A Weekly Journal Devoted To Polite Literature And Music". This is a volume 1 issue and would appear to be the first of this title we have offered.
    Eight pages with the back page taken up with a piece of music, untrimmed margins, 10 by 12 3/4 inches, some staining... Read full description  
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    $43.00
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  • One of London's more successful newspapers...
    Item #699652
    THE NEWS, London, Jan. 15, 1832  This was one of the more successful & popular newspapers of the era with news from various parts of Europe. The masthead features an engraving of a newsboy "trumpeting" the news.
    Eight pages, 12 1/4 by 15 1/4 inches, good condition.
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    $28.00
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  • Cadiz, Ohio in 1836....
    Item #699507
    THE HISTORICAL FAMILY LIBRARY, Cadiz, Ohio, May 15, 1836  A magazine of history, delving very extensively into just a few topics with each issue. Unusual in that this periodical's format was to use "flowing text", meaning sentences ran over from issue to issue, so any given publication would begin in the middle of a sentence from the previous... Read full description  
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    $22.00
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  • From just before the War of 1812...
    Item #699477
    THE PILOT, London, England, Aug. 6, 1810  One of the less common titles of the early 19th century with a wide range of content from Europe.
    Four pages, folio size, red tax stamp at the top of page 1, good condition.
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    $32.00
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  • First of this title we have offered?
    Item #699465
    THE CHAMPION & SUNDAY REVIEW, London, May 11, 1818  The masthead also notes: "Of Weekly News, Literature, and the Arts" which defines what is within the pages. This might be the first of this title we have offered, this issue coming from the private collection.
    Sixteen pages, 7 1/4 by 10 inches, some light dirtiness, good... Read full description  
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    $38.00
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  • From the Napoleonic War era...
    Item #699284
    THE WEEKLY REGISTER, London, July 10, 1799  Much of the content is taken up with war-related events from this era during the Napoleonic War. One page has mention of Lord Nelson.
    Eight pages, 9 1/4 by 12 1/2 inches, partial red tax stamp on the front page, very nice condition.

    Item from last month's catalog - #364 - released for March, 2026.

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    $29.00
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  • Coat-of-arms engraving & a red tax stamp in the masthead...
    Item #699279
    THE NORFOLK CHRONICLE; OR NORWICH GAZETTE, England, March 3, 1810  

    * Rare early 19th century publication

    A typical newspaper of the day with mostly British news items & the front page filled with advertisements. Full red tax stamp in the masthead and a nice engraving of the coat-of-arms in the masthead as well.... Read full description  
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    $34.00
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  • Religious & temperance themed...
    Item #699146
    BOSTON RECORDER & TELEGRAPH, April 13, 1827  Primarily a religious newspaper but other news & ads as well. Among the articles: "On Religious Ignorance" "Indiana, The Country for Christian Effort & the Field of Hope" "Promotion of Temperance" "Jews In Prussia" and more.
    Four pages, very nice... Read full description  
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    $27.00
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  • A mixed bag of content...
    Item #699142
    PHILADELPHIA MIRROR: Quarto Edition of the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, Dec. 26, 1836  A mixed bag of literary items, some news reports, etc. Eight pages, some light foxing or staining, a few older tape mends near margins, good condition.
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    $25.00
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  • Very descriptive account of an overland excursion...
    Item #699129
    THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1858  

    * Uncommon publication
    * People migrating West


    The front page has a full column taken up with a wonderful: "Description of the Overland Route" from Los Angeles to Springfield, Illinois.
    This is a terrific and very descriptive account of the overland route, with mentions... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • An "omnibus" newspaper from London...
    Item #699121
    THE NATIONAL OMNIBUS; & GENERAL ADVERTISER, London, England, Sept. 7, 1832  This was not a "newsy" newspaper but rather, as noted in the masthead, "A Journal of Literature, Science, Music, Theatricals, and the Fine Arts". With many advertisements as well.
    Eight pages, 9 1/4 by 14 1/2 inches, nice condition.
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    $32.00
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  • Brigham Young...   San Francisco...   Mormon Temple...
    Item #699111
    HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 11, 1857 

    * Mormons - Mormonism - Brigham Young
    * Very early view of San Francisco
    * Salt Lake Tabernacle under construction


    Front page shows: "Camp of the Pilgrims to the Jordan" and a half page: "Valley of the Jordan and Dead Sea" with a related article: "Travel Notes in... Read full description  
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    $145.00
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  • Winslow Homer centerfold...
    Item #699108
    HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 28, 1860 

    * Winslow Homer woodblock illustration

    Featured is a very nice, tipped-in (no binding holes), double page centerfold: "Skating On the Ladies' Skating Pond in the Central Park, New York" by famed artist Winslow Homer.
    Many other prints within including: "The Late Lord Macaulay"; 3... Read full description  
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    $135.00
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  • Decorative masthead...
    Item #699025
    BOSTON OLIVE BRANCH, July 31, 1858  A family-oriented newspaper with science, literary, horticultural, art and humor-related content. Large decorative mastheads. Several small wood-block illustrations. Page 7 has an ad for: "LIFE THOUGHTS", by Henry Ward Beecher.
    Complete in 8 pages. Archivally mended at the mid-fold on all pages due to separation... Read full description  
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    $25.00
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  • Revival of the Southern slave trade?
    Item #699024
    NEW YORK HERALD, March 6, 1858  Page 4 has an article headed: "Revival of the African Slave Trade in the Southern States". The article includes: "Some of our n****r worshiping contemporaries have started off upon a new scent. A bill has been passed by the Louisiana House...authorizing the importation into that state of... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • New lifestyle for ladies in California...
    Item #699008
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 16, 1849  Page 3 has an interesting article: "What The Ladies Do In California" now that they are in a dramatically different living situation than they were used to before moving close to the gold mines.
    Four pages, very nice condition.
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    $43.00
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  • One of the earliest Louisiana newspapers we have offered...
    Item #699001
    ORLEANS GAZETTE & COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER, Dec. 24, 1819  

    * Very rare & early Southern publication

    This is one of the earliest newspapers from Louisiana we have had the pleasure to offer. The front page has a lengthy obituary report and an article: "Adam Poe's Contest with Two Indians" plus many... Read full description  
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    $230.00
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  • One of the less common titles from antebellum Florida...
    Item #698998
    STAR OF FLORIDA, Tallahassee, Middle Florida, Oct. 20, 1841

    * Rare antebellum publication

    We have had a few titles from Florida before the Civil War, but this is more rare than the others. Various news & ads of the day. The back page has an illustrated runaway slave ad.
    Four pages, rejoined at the spine, very nice... Read full description  
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    $115.00
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  • "The North Star" becomes "Frederick Douglass' Paper"...
    Item #698970
    FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, Sept. 8, 1854  

    * Extremely rare publication

    We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
    Among the... Read full description  
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    $9,725.00
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  • Great wealth of information on how to train soldiers...
    Item #698968
    NEW YORK MILITARY MAGAZINE, July 3, 1841  A very scarce title that existed for just six months. This is the volume 1, number 4 issue.
    Among the articles: "Sketches of Uniform Companies" "Review - From the Army Regulations" "Artillery Tactics - Adopted by the War Department" "Order of... Read full description  
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    $47.00
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  • See the handsome masthead...
    Item #698964
    NOTTINGHAM JOURNAL, England, July 7, 1810  

    * Nice masthead engraving for display

    Perhaps the finest feature is the beautiful masthead, with very ornate lettering and a handsome engraving as the central feature. Also a partial red tax stamp at the top. 
    Four pages, great condition.
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    $44.00
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  • It existed for just one year...
    Item #698962
    THE PATRON OF INDUSTRY, New York, July 25, 1820  This newspaper existed for just one year, this being the volume 1, number 6 issues. It was published under the auspices of "The National Institution for the Promotion of Industry". 
    Four pages, small binding holes at the blank spine, wide, never-trimmed margins, nice condition.
    Available Now

    $48.00
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  • Cadiz, Ohio in 1835....
    Item #698961
    THE HISTORICAL FAMILY LIBRARY, Cadiz, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1835  A magazine of history, delving very extensively into just a few topics with each issue. Unusual in that this periodical's format was to use "flowing text", meaning sentences ran over from issue to issue, so any given publication would begin in the middle of a sentence from the previous... Read full description  
    Available Now

    $22.00
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  • Early religious newspaper...
    Item #698957
    HERALD OF GOSPEL LIBERTY, Philadelphia, Sept. 27, 1811  Basically religiously-themed content in this 4 pages newspaper. Never bound nor trimmed, wear at the folds and margins, foxing, 9 1/4 by11 1/2 inches.
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    $32.00
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  • One of the less common illustrated papers of the era...
    Item #698955
    ILLUSTRATED TIMES, London, England, April 7, 1860  An illustrated newspaper in the mold of the more famous "Illustrated London News" and later "Harper's Weekly" but this title is less common.
    The front page print is: "New Uniforms of Metropolitan Rifle Vol. Corps" with several prints inside... Read full description  
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    $42.00
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  • A publication for the music world...
    Item #698953
    THE MUSICAL WORLD & NEW YORK MUSICAL TIMES, Dec. 3, 1853  As the title suggests, a little paper focused on the world of music from before the Civil War. 
    Twelve pages plus the 4 pages of the outer wrapper, 8 3/4 by 11 1/2 inches, very nice condition.
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    $20.00
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  • It existed for just two years...
    Item #698951
    THE INSTITUTE OMNIBUS & SCHOOL-DAY GLEANER, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Sept. 1, 1847  An uncommon title that existed for two years, this being the volume 1, number 2 issue. It was: "published at the Pittsfield Young Ladies' Institute".
    Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, 9 1/2 by 12 issues, various foxing & mild wear at the... Read full description  
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    $32.00
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  • Early health food magazine...
    Item #698949
    THE GRAHAM JOURNAL OF HEALTH & LONGEVITY, Boston, Sept. 12, 1837  An early-day "health food" periodical, named for the man who created the Graham Cracker (considered a "health food" in its day). He pioneered the use of whole wheat and did much to promote food reform. This magazine existed for just 2 1/2 years.
    A few of the... Read full description  
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    $52.00
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  • Publisher with an interesting life...   Beware of warring against England...
    Item #698947
     THE ANTIGALLICAN MONITOR & ANTI-CORSICAN CHRONICLE, London, June 30, 1811  Published by Lewis Goldsmith, of Portuguese-Jewish extraction. Previous to publishing this newspaper he spent much time in France acting as a "secret agent" to Napoleon, including efforts to kidnap King Louis XVIII.... Read full description  
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    $28.00
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  • Rare find with the original green, outer wrappers...
    Item #698944
    NEW YORK MIRROR, Aug. 20, 1836  "A Weekly Journal Devoted To Literature & the Fine Arts" as noted in the masthead. A rather common title, but this is among the first we've encountered that has never been bound and trimmed and still has the original green outer wrappers.
    Eight pages plus the wrappers, some... Read full description  
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    $44.00
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  • By the American Tract Society...
    Item #698941
    AMERICAN MESSENGER, New York, February, 1847  A religiously-themed newspaper published by the American Tract Society. We believe this to be the first of this title we have offered.
    Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, various light damp staining, good condition.

    AI notes: The American Messenger was a religious newspaper published in New York by... Read full description  
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    $32.00
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  • Early issue of this famous sporting newspaper...
    Item #698940
    NEW YORK SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 31, 1836

    * Rare & early sporting publication
    * Editor William T. Porter


     This is an early issue of the famous sporting newspaper by William Porter, later to be known as "Porter's Spirit of the Times".
    Porter and his brothers started the Spirit of the Times in 1831.... Read full description  
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    $49.00
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  • Last issue of a rare, short-lived campaign newspaper...
    Item #698938
    THE LOG CABIN ADVOCATE, Baltimore, Dec. 15, 1840 

    * William Henry Harrison
    * Rare campaign publication


    Not to be confused with the "Log Cabin" of New York, this is a much more rare campaign newspaper in support of the presidential campaign of William H. Harrison. This is just the second issue of this title we have... Read full description  
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    $298.00
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  • First of this title we have offered...
    Item #698937
    WASHINGTON COUNTY POST; AND ADVOCATE OF POPULAR EDUCATION, Salem, New York, Nov. 2, 1831  

    * Rare pre-Civil War publication 
    * 19th century Washington County


    A very elusive title, this being the first we have offered. This is from a small town in Northern New York, close to the Vermont border.
    Four pages, never bound nor trimmed,... Read full description  
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    $55.00
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  • A British title we've never offered before...
    Item #698934
    THE BRITISH PRESS, London, April 26, 1809  We believe this is the first of this title we have offered. Much of the issue is taken up with a report from the House of Commons: "Motion of Censure On Lord Castlereagh".
    A typical London newspaper of the day, four pages, never-rimmed margins, full red tax stamp in the masthead,... Read full description  
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    $32.00
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  • This publication lasted for just 12 issues...
    Item #698933
    REPUBLICAN MAGAZINE, Boston, March 15, 1831  A quite scarce title, this being the volume 1, number 3 issue of a publication which lasted but 12 issues. As the title would suggest this is primarily a political publication. Inside has at least two letters signed in typos by: Andrew Jackson.
    Sixteen pages, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, nice... Read full description  
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    $64.00
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  • The Mormon War...
    Item #698895
    HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 29, 1858  The front page features a print of: "Hon. William M Gwin, of California".
    Other prints within include: "'Travel Notes in Bible Lands" includes a print of: "Plain and Ruins of Sardis".
    "The Great Bell Crevasse' is just above New Orleans and shows 3 scenes. Nice full page... Read full description  
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    $77.00
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  • Meant for foreign missions...
    Item #698891
    THE DAYSPRING, Boston, September, 1843  This was a newspaper published by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
    Among the articles: "A Converted Jew & His Father" "Mohammedan Worship" "British Support of Idolatry" "A Deaf & Dumb Convert" "Former Idols at the Sandwich... Read full description  
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    $33.00
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  • From the nation's capital...
    Item #698884
    NATIONAL JOURNAL, Washington, D.C., Jan. 24, 1824  A somewhat uncommon title from the nation's capital, existing for about 8 years. This is the volume 1, number 22 issue.
    Four pages, never-trimmed margins, very nice condition.
    Available Now

    $27.00
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  • Whig-supporting, then a campaign newspaper...
    Item #698875
    THE NETTLE, Boston, Sept. 26, 1838  This was a general Whig-supporting newspaper in its first 2 years that evolved into a campaign paper supporting William H. Harrison for President. It would cease publication in 1844. This is the volume 1, number 4 issue. For some reason most institutions holding this title have just those from 1840+.... Read full description  
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    $68.00
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  • Campaign newspaper that existed for just 12 issues...
    Item #698873
    THE BAY STATE DEMOCRAT, Boston, Sept. 7, 1839  Although there were several newspapers with this name, this is the campaign paper that existed for just 12 issues each year ending just before the November elections.
    This is the number 3 issue, followed with political reporting supporting--obviously--the democratic party.
    Eight... Read full description  
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    $32.00
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  • An angel in the masthead...
    Item #698872
    TRUMPET & UNIVERSALIST MAGAZINE, Boston, Dec. 26, 1835  A religious newspaper that features an engraving of the angel Gabriel in the masthead. Among the articles: "Letter to a Member of a Methodist Church" "On Studying the Scriptures" and more.
    Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, foxing at folds, minor margin tears.
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    $28.00
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  • Published by P. T. Barnum...   Early view of Sydney, Australia...
    Item #698866
    ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, June 18, 1853  P.T. Barnum was the co-owner (see photos) of this early illustrated newspaper which preceded both "Leslie's Illustrated" and "Harper's Weekly". This effort by Barnum and the Beach brothers would last for only 48 issues.
    The text on the front page is:... Read full description  
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    $57.00
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  • Reporting on the spirit world...
    Item #698817
    SPIRITUAL TELEGRAPH, New York, January 15, 1853  

    * Ghosts - mediums - spectre - apparition - spooks

    The masthead notes; "Devoted To The Illustration of Spiritual Intercourse", focused on the spirit world. This is the volume 1, number 37 issue. This is the first of this title we have offered.
    Among the articles: 'An Hour With... Read full description  
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    $77.00
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  • Rare military paper.: 'In time of peace, prepare for war'...
    Item #698816
    CITIZEN SOLDIER, Norwich, Vermont, Sept. 4, 1840  "Devoted To the Interests of the Militia, Military Science & National Defense" as noted in the masthead, where also is found their motto: "In Times Of Peace, Prepare For War". This title lasted but 52 issues. 
    Most of the front page... Read full description  
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    $55.00
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  • Scarce anti-Masonic newspaper...
    Item #698814
    BLACK RIVER GAZETTE, Lowville, New York, Nov. 19, 1828  

    * Rare Anti-Masonic publication

    This is considered an anti-Masonic newspaper which existed from 1825 thru 1833. This is the first of this title we have located in our 50+ years.
    Contents seems much like most newspapers of the day. Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, very nice condition.

    ... Read full description  
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    $55.00
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  • If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our gifts and birthday newspapers page.