Historic Newspapers: Pre-Civil War

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  • Early newspaper from Harrisburg...
    Item #694459
    THE ORACLE OF DAUPHIN, AND HARRISBURGH ADVERTISER, Pennsylvania, Nov. 12, 1803  

    * Rare publication 
    * Pre state capital 


    An issue from our private collection, saved because it is quite rare from this early year as well as being in great condition. The only other issue we've offered in the last 12+ years was dated 1820.
    Four... Read full description  
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    $64.00
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  • Very rare War of 1812 newspaper: first we have offered...
    Item #694381
    WAR JOURNAL, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Aug. 13, 1813

    * Very rare War of 1812 publication

     This is the first of this title we have seen in our 50+ years. It only existed for 40 issues (this is # 23), from March 12 - Dec. 14, 1813.
    As the title should suggest the focus of the newspaper was the ongoing War of 1812, but... Read full description  
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    $255.00
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  • Talks of the Embargo...
    Item #694380
    THE FARMER'S CABINET, Amherst, New Hampshire, Aug. 9, 1808  The front page begins with an article concerning the Embargo. The balance of the issue has various news reports of the day plus many ads.
    Four pages, never-trimmed margins, subscriber's name in the masthead, nice condition.
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    $42.00
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  • Perhaps the earliest of comic newspapers...
    Item #694367
    THE TICKLER, Philadelphia, Aug. 9, 1809  The masthead features a very unusual engraving of a dog and an arm holding a switch, & notes: "by Toby Scratch'em".
    This title was one of the earliest of the true comic papers. It kept up its flow of satire for six years, attacking local and national politicians and... Read full description  

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

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  • Jenny Lind... opera singer....
    Item #694322
    THE HOME JOURNAL, New York City, July 1, 1848

    * Jenny Lind... The Swedish Nightingale
    * Opera singer of eventual P.T. Barnum fame


    Page 3 has a small heading, "Jenny Lind", which includes a 1/2 column of text related to the world-famous opera singer nicknamed "The Swedish Nightingale".
    Mostly literary content with short stories... Read full description  
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    $52.00
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  • Early from the capital of Florida...
    Item #693632
    THE FLORIDIAN & JOURNAL, Tallahassee, Florida, March 31, 1849 

    * Early California gold rush report
    * Rare title from pre-civil war Florida


    A nice & rare opportunity for a very early newspaper from the capital of Florida. Very rarely are we able to find antebellum Florida newspapers, particularly from the capital. Formatted much like... Read full description  
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    $74.00
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  • A city of gold...
    Item #693631
    THE HOME JOURNAL, New York City, February 10, 1849 

    * California gold rush

    Page 3 has a report headed: "A Golden Joke" which focuses on a letter from San Francisco which includes in part: "After a journey of several thousand miles, during which we have suffered more than I was formerly led to believe human beings could endure, we have at last... Read full description  
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  • Much on slavery...
    Item #693490
    THE VERMONT CHRONICLE, Windsor, Feb. 19, 1845  The front page has nearly 3 columns taken up with: "A Discussion of the Subject of Slavery, to the Rev. Richard Fuller, D.D."
    Inside includes: "Slavery" concerning an ad for a runaway slave girl; "The French Press on Slavery", and s small report noting: "A cargo of native... Read full description  
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  • Andrew Jackson's lengthy farewell...  Van Buren's inaugural address...
    Item #693487
    VERMONT CHRONICLE, Windsor, March 16, 1837  

    * Martin Van Buren inauguration
    * Andrew Jackson farewell address


    Half of page 2 and most of page 3 are taken up with the: "Farewell Address Of Andrew Jackson, to the People of the United States" in which he reiterates his policies one final time. He appeals... Read full description  
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  • Death of the King, Victoria to take the throne...
    Item #693486
    VERMONT CHRONICLE, Windsor, Aug. 2, 1837  

    * William IV of the United Kingdom

    Page 3 has a report noting: "The absorbing topics in the London papers were the death of William IV and the accession of the Princess Victoria to the throne of England. The King died on the 20th of June, dated 72. Victoria, the young Queen, was 18... Read full description  
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  • Visiting the scene of battle: Waterloo...
    Item #693483
    NATOINAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 1815 Page 3 has a lengthy article--a full column--headed: "Waterloo" "Extracts of a letter from an American Gentleman in Europe tro his Friend in Portsmouth". 
    The letter details his visit to the site of the historic Battle of Waterloo, which is very descriptive.... Read full description  
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  • Great account of early travel in Colorado...
    Item #693479
    THE WORLD, New York, Sept. 20, 1860  Page 3 has most go a column taken up with: "From The Rocky Mountains" which is a great letter from Tarrygall, Colorado, reading much like an early travelogue on a journey from near Pike's Peak. Very descriptive.
    Also on page 3 is: "Gen. Walker's Filibuster Expeditions"... Read full description  
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  • A wonderful issue on the California Gold Rush...
    Item #693467
    THE DAILY UNION, Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 1848  

    * President James K. Polk
    * State of the Union Address
    * Discovery of California gold


    A great newspaper to find the state-of-the-union address by a President, and this issue has all of pages 1, 2, and a bit of page 3 taken up with that signed in type by: James K. Polk.
    Within his... Read full description  
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  • Confirming the Treaty of Peace ending the Mexican War...
    Item #693466
    THE DAILY UNION, Washington, D.C., June 8, 1848  

    * Mexican-American War ending
    * Confirming the Treaty of Peace


    Page 3 has a nice report headed: "The Tidings of Peace Confirmed" noting in part: "...fully confirming the telegraphic announcement of THE RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY by the Mexican Chamber of... Read full description  
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  • Black mourning rules around the issue...
    Item #693463
    THE DAILY UNION, Washington, D.C., Feb. 25, 1854  

    * Black mourning borders

    All four pages have wide, black "mourning" rules which were used when someone of significance has died. In this case it is General Robert Armstrong.
    Page 3 has a report from the House of Representatives headed: "Death Of General Armstrong".... Read full description  
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  • Early election results for President: Pierce would win...
    Item #693462
    THE DAILY UNION, Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 1852  

    * President Franklin Pierce winning

    Most of page 2 is taken up with results--and speculation--concerning the 1852 Presidential election which Franklin Pierce would win.
    Early indications reflect this: "The Triumph and Its Teaching" begins: " It is now clear... Read full description  
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    $44.00
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  • When Abraham Lincoln was an unknown...
    Item #693455
    THE UNION, Washington, D.C., July 29, 1848 

    * Early in Abraham Lincoln's political career

    This newspaper contains on pages 2 and 3  reports from the "House of Representatives" and includes the results of votes concerning establishing territorial governments in Oregon. Within the "Yea" list is... Read full description  
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    $56.00
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  • Very ornate, America-themed masthead from the mid-1800's...
    Item #693453
    SUNDAY TIMES, N.Y., 1849-1852 The photo shows the very nice masthead of this title which measures 15 1/2 inches across and is 3 inches tall. Mostly topical reports and literary-related content, some ads.
    Some lite staining, a little foxing, and a few small margin tears, but in overall average or better condition.
    The issue you... Read full description  
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    $25.00
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  • Much on the Presidential election of 1860...   The Pony Express...
    Item #693435
    THE WORLD, New York, Aug. 25, 1860  Page 4 has a lengthy list of news items under: "THE PONY EXPRESS" with a dateline of St. Joseph, Missouri.
    Over half of page 7 is taken up with much on the: "Political War" which has much commentary on the coming Presidential election, presented state-by-state,... Read full description  
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  • Published by Horace Greeley...
    Item #693324
    THE NEW-YORKER, March 30, 1839

    * Very early by Horace Greeley

    Has various bits of news, some literary content, original compositions and ads. Ornate lettering in the masthead. A very early publication done by the famed Horace Greeley. 
    Complete in 16 pages, measures 9 1/2 by 12 1/4 inches, minor light foxing, nice condition.
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    $32.00
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  • A great title for an anti-slavery themed newspaper...
    Item #693298
    EMANCIPATOR AND FREE AMERICAN, Boston, July 6, 1843  As the title would suggest, this is an anti-slavery themed newspaper, and a great name for a newspaper with this focus.
    Page 2 has a political notice supporting "For President, James G. Birney" for the Liberty ticket, created by abolitionists who believed in political action... Read full description  

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

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    $78.00
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  • Early advertisement for the historic Cape May Congress Hall hotel...
    Item #693276
    THE DAILY UNION, City of Washington, D.C., July 18, 1851

    * Congress Hall Hotel advertisement
    * Pre Civil War Cape May, New Jersey


     Among the advertisements on page 2 is one for the Congress Hall Hotel, headed: "Sea Bathing, Cape May, N.J." and beginning: "Congress Hall is now open for the... Read full description  
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  • Early advertisement for the historic Cape May Congress Hall hotel...
    Item #693273
    THE DAILY UNION, City of Washington, D.C., July 11, 1851  Among the advertisements on page 2 is one for the Congress Hall Hotel, headed: "Sea Bathing, Cape May, N.J." and beginning: "Congress Hall is now open for the reception of visitors..." with various detail.
    Congress Hall is a very... Read full description  
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    $27.00
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  • Early advertisement for the historic Cape May Congress Hall hotel...
    Item #693269
    THE DAILY UNION, City of Washington, D.C., July 9, 1851

    * Congress Hall Hotel advertisement
    * Pre Civil War Cape May, New Jersey


     Among the advertisements on page 2 is one for the Congress Hall Hotel, headed: "Sea Bathing, Cape May, N.J." and beginning: "Congress Hall is now open for the... Read full description  
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    $30.00
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  • Very historic report on the fugitive slave case of Anthony Burns: he had to return to his owner...   On the recent Kansas-Nebraska Act...
    Item #693267
    NEW YORK OBSERVER, Secular Department (there was also a 'Religious Department' edition), June 8, 1854  

    * Fugitive slave Anthony Burns
    * Escape - capture and trial verdict


    Page 3 has a very notable report with a small head: "The Boston Fugitive Slave Case" which... Read full description  
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    $120.00
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  • On the Kansas-Nebraska Act...
    Item #693265
    NEW YORK OBSERVER, Secular Department (there was also a 'Religious Department' edition), May 25, 1854  

    * Kansas-Nebraska Act - slavery ?

    Page 2 has a: "Letter From Washington" which is a nice editorial concerning he controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act, which would become law in just 5 days: May 30.
    The Kansas-Nebraska Act was an... Read full description  
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    $31.00
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  • In three days the Kansas-Nebraska Act would be the law of the land...
    Item #693263
    NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 27, 1854  

    * Kansas-Nebraska Act - slavery question

    The front page begins some reports from "Congress" relating to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Then further on there are reports from the Senate with a subhead: "Nebraska and Kansas Bill".
    Over half... Read full description  
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    $75.00
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  • Final discussions on the Kansas-Nebraska Act...
    Item #693261
    NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 23, 1854

    * Kansas-Nebraska Act - slavery question

    Pages 2 and 3 have considerable discussion in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes talks of the: "Nebraska-Kansas Bill" which was very controversial at the time. It would become law in 7 days: May 30, 1854.
    The ... Read full description  
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  • Thomas Jefferson... The French Republic...
    Item #693203
    INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER, Worcester, April 21, 1801 A page 2 testimony issued by the President recognizes the Charges des Affairs of the French Republic, signed in type: Thomas Jefferson.
    The front page begins with 3 Acts of the Mass. Legislature signed by the governor: Caleb Strong
    Four pages, nice condition.
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    $36.00
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  • Secret message of President Jefferson...
    Item #693201
    CONNECTICUT MIRROR, Hartford, Aug. 13, 1810  The front page begins with the report of a secret message, prefaced with: "The following is given to the public as the celebrated secret message of President Jefferson, on the 6th of Dec. 1805, respecting our relations with Spain and France, concerning Louisiana. As one of the... Read full description  
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    $43.00
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  • Very early from 1804 Charleston...
    Item #693198
    CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, March 29, 1804 

    * Very rare & early Southern publication

    A volume 2 issue of this famous title.
    The front page has "An Act" of Congress for: "...the relief of certain military pensioners in the state of South Carolina", signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
    Four pages and in very nice... Read full description  
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    $94.00
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  • Early from Kentucky...
    Item #693195
    LOUISVILLE LITERARY NEWS-LETTER, Kentucky, Sept. 5, 1840 

    * Rare antebellum publication

    The subtitle states: "Devoted To News, Science, Literature and the Arts." Among the articles are: "Sketches In The West" "A Visit to the Savage Island" "Gambling & Gamblers" with "News" reports on the back page.
    ... Read full description  
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    $48.00
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  • General Harrison on the Battle of the Thames...
    Item #693188
    THE NEW-YORK WEEKLY MUSEUM, Oct. 23, 1813  

    * William Henry Harrison
    * War of 1812 - Moraviantown


    Page 3 has almost a full column taken up with various reports on the War of 1813, including events in Louisiana, and several mentions of General Wm. H. Harrison, particularly his account of this historic Battle of the Thames, a... Read full description  
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    $47.00
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  • President Jackson's state-of-the-union address...
    Item #693181
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Dec. 6, 1834 

    * President Andrew Jackson
    * State of the Union Address


    The prime content would be the annual state-of-the-union address, contained in full on seven pages & signed in type by the President: Andrew Jackson.
    An extremely lengthy address, it touches upon a wide variety of... Read full description  
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    $34.00
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  • Slave insurrection planned in Virginia...
    Item #693158
    NEW-ENGLAND PALLADIUM, Boston, May 18, 1802  Page 2 has an item concerning clockmaker Jacob Alrichs. Also a report of a slave insurrection near Lynchburg, noting: "...that a conspiracy among the negroes there...some of the ringleaders...are in custody...The plan of those misguided wretches was to have...massacred their masters &... Read full description  
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  • Death of Daniel Webster...
    Item #693147
    NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, Oct. 25, 1852  

    * Daniel Webster death

    A fascinating issue as pages 1 thru 5 (of 8) are taken up with reports on the death of Daniel Webster, the noted American statesman.
    The front page begins: "DEATH OF DANIEL WEBSTER" "Sketch of His Life & Public Career" with the t3xt taking the entire front page.
    Other... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • Potential extermination of Native Americans...
    Item #693094
    THE DAILY REGISTER, New Bedford, Massachusetts, Feb. 11, 1840  Page 2 begins with a half-column article concerning: "Indian Affairs" which reports on the state of the Native Americans at that time. One bit notes: "...that some system should be established for the preservation of the Indian. The rapid advancement of... Read full description  
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  • Detailed "snake oil" advertisement...
    Item #693093
    THE DAILY REGISTER, New Bedford, Massachusetts, March 24, 1840  Among the wealth of ads on the back page is an illustrated one for: "The Indian's Panacea for the cure of Scrofula, or King's Evil; incipient cancers, syphilitic and mercurial diseases, particularly ulcers and painful affections of the bones..." with much more.... Read full description  
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  • A treaty to end the Seminole War is reached, but not for long...
    Item #692867
    THE NEW-YORKER, New York, June 8, 1839  Page 10 has a report headed: "The Florida War Ended" noting in part: "Such is the official announcement from Gen. Macomb, and we ardently wish it may prove correct...terms of the agreement are very vague--the Indians manifestly understanding that they are to have... Read full description  
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  • The desert of California...
    Item #692866
    THE NEW-YORKER, New York, May 11, 1839  Inside has a report: "Desert of California". Keep in mind that California was part of Mexico at this time, so bits of the report include: "This immense plain, the existence of which was until very recently unknown, is situated in the central part of Upper or New California, in Mexico...Its area is... Read full description  
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    $29.00
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  • Much on Pensacola, Florida...
    Item #692848
    THE NEW-YORKER, New York, Nov. 9, 1839  Taking half a column on the front page and all of page 2 is a very detailed article: "Pensacola, West-Florida". It becomes with some history, then delves into life there, its beauty, its commercial enterprises, etc. Bits include: "The Bay of Pensacola was discovered in the early part of the 16th... Read full description  
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    $37.00
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  • The fugitive slave case of Bill Fisher...
    Item #692805
    NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, July 27, 1853 

    * Fugitive Slave Case
    * Bill Fisher


    The front page has: "The Fugitive Slave Case--The Health of the City, etc." being the slave case of Bill Fisher. This report takes three-quarters of a column and includes: "...as soon as the marshal drove off with the slave, a number of them followed... Read full description  
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    $68.00
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  • Minting California gold coins...
    Item #692773
    OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, November 10, 1849 

    * California gold rush

    The back page has: "California Facts" which includes: "...Within a few days gold coins of the value of ten dollars made from the California metal have been issued by Messrs. Moffatt and Co...and by Messrs. Wright & Co...of San Francisco. They are very similar in... Read full description  
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    $68.00
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  • Slave ads in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper...
    Item #692772
    THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 18, 1850 

    * From the deep South
    * Rare Antebellum publication


    Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
    Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves! Slaves!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are... Read full description  
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    $42.00
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  • Death of Joseph Haydn...   Proclamation signed by President James Madison...
    Item #692771
    BOSTON GAZETTE, Aug. 17, 1809 

    * Franz Joseph Haydn death
    * Classical music composer
    * Vienna, Austria


    The top of the front page has: "A Proclamation" signed in type: James Madison, and also: "French Piracies" which takes an entire column. On page 2, under the "Deaths" is a... Read full description  
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    $52.00
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  • Early report on the California Gold Rush...
    Item #692766
    BOSTON MUSEUM, Dec. 16, 1848  Page 4 has: "California Gold" which includes: "All of our brethren are having their say about the California gold discoveries...But California, nor any other unsettled country, should not be peopled by fortune hunters. The wilderness wants practical men, not visionary drones...The mining... Read full description  
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    $68.00
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  • Death of Zachary Taylor...   Slave ads in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper...
    Item #692763
    THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 19, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
    Page 2 has 2 1/2 columns taken up with reports on the death of President Zachary Taylor, with column heads: "Official Proceedings Of The Cabinet Consequent... Read full description  
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    $47.00
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  • The "downfall of Babylon" and "fake news"...
    Item #692664
    THE DOWNFALL OF BABYLON, New York, Oct. 31, 1835 

    * Anti-Catholic

    A quite rare & unusual weekly (later semi-monthly) newspaper with strong anti-Catholic leanings published by: "Samuel B. Smith, Late a Popish Priest", as noted in the dateline. This newspaper published from 1834-1839 & features an engraving on the front... Read full description  
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    $28.00
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  • 1860 Famous Charles Dickens Magazine...
    Item #692554
    ALL THE YEAR ROUND, London, 1860  This was a Victorian weekly literary publication founded and owned by Charles Dickens, published from 1859 to 1895. Edited by Dickens, it was the direct successor to his previous publication "Household Words", abandoned due to differences with his former publisher. It hosted the serialization of... Read full description  
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    $28.00
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  • Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States...
    Item #692531
    HARTFORD WEEKLY TIMES, Connecticut, Nov. 10, 1860 

    * President Abraham Lincoln
    * First presidential election win
    * Civil War on the horizon


    The top of page 2 has a column headed: "The Presidential Contest" "Election Of Lincoln and Hamlin" "The North for Lincoln - The South Mostly For... Read full description  
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    $282.00
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