Historic Newspapers: Pre-Civil War

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  • Number three on the "top ten" list of Supreme Court decisions...
    Item #708012
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, March 20, 1819  Close to eight pages are taken up with what one website lists as number 3 of "The Ten Most Significant Supreme Court Decisions Of All Time" (#2 is Roe vs. Wade; #1 is the Dred Scott Decision).
    This is the case of McCulloch vs. the state Maryland, the... Read full description  

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

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    $158.00
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  • Martin Van Buren's annual address to the nation...
    Item #707999
    NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Dec. 28, 1839 

    * President Martin Van Buren
    * State of the Union annual address


    Being so close to the nation's capital it is not surprising that much of the content is on politics of the day, including a wealth of reporting from Congress.
    The prime feature would be the complete and... Read full description  
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    $30.00
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  • Louisiana to become a state...
    Item #707945
    THE WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, March 28, 1812  Inside has lengthy reporting from the "House of Representatives" which includes discussion headed: "State of Louisiana" concerning Louisiana joining the Union.
    Another page has: "The bill for the admission of Louisiana into the union has passed the house of representatives with... Read full description  
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  • First issue published...
    Item #707934
    THE WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 7, 1811  

    * Volume 1 number 1 issue 

    This was the first issue published: "Vol. 1 No. 1" as noted in the masthead. The entire front page is taken up with: "The Editor To The Public" in which he details what the newspaper is to be about. Page 10 has a chart of: "Total Expenses, Of the War for Independence with a... Read full description  
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    $84.00
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  • From the South, just before the Civil War...
    Item #707912
    LYNCHBURG DAILY VIRGINIAN, June 13, 1860  The front page has: "Death of Major General Jessup". Page 3 has a: "Negroes Wanted" advertisement.
    Four pages, very nice condition.
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    $35.00
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  • From the South, just before the Civil War...
    Item #707911
    LYNCHBURG DAILY VIRGINIAN, June 11, 1860  Inside includes: "The Very Latest News from Pike's Peak" concerning the gold rush there. Also: "The Battle With the Indians At Pyramid Lake" and: "The Career of Hicks, the Condemned Pirate". This was Albert Hicks, the last person in the U.S. to be hanged for... Read full description  

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

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  • Health notice signed by Paul Revere...
    Item #707907
    THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, July 10, 1800  Although we've had other newspapers with notices from Paul Revere as President of the Health Office, this is perhaps the most detailed.
    Found on page 4 is a notice headed: "Health Office" with various details, signed in type by its President: Paul... Read full description  

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

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    $48.00
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  • Pre-Civil War view of Brooklyn...
    Item #707904
    GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Sept. 17, 1859  This newspaper has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
    The front page includes an engraving: "View Of the City of Brooklyn, N.Y." A few other prints inside.
    Eight pages, lightly & evenly... Read full description  
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    $29.00
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  • German language religious newspaper from St. Louis...
    Item #707558
    DER LUTHERANER, St. Louis, April 15, 1864  

    * Rare publication in German language
    * Nice decorative masthead for display


    An unusual bi-monthly, German language newspaper which features perhaps the largest engraving of an angel we have seen in a newspaper.
    In the mid-19th century a flood of immigrants from Europe poured into... Read full description  
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    $33.00
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  • German language religious newspaper from St. Louis...
    Item #707556
    DER LUTHERANER, St. Louis, July 15, 1864  An unusual bi-monthly, German language newspaper which features perhaps the largest engraving of an angel we have seen in a newspaper.
    In the mid-19th century a flood of immigrants from Europe poured into the United States, Germans being the largest ethnic group at the time. Like many... Read full description  

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

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    $28.00
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  • The case of murderer Patrick Maude (attempted use of insanity plea)...
    Item #707506
    NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 23, 1860  Page 3 has over two columns dedicated to: "THE CASE OF PATRICK MAUDE",with subhead: "History of Patrick Maude, Recently Executed at Newark for Murder".
    The article tells of his life, his decision to represent himself in court, his attempt to be found not guilty... Read full description  
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  • Early Catholic newspaper with huge masthead...
    Item #707502
    UNITED STATES CATHOLIC INTELLIGENCER, Boston, April 6, 1832  This rather rare title lasted for just one year, having begun in October, 1831 and ending in September, 1832. The issue is a "vol. III" issue as this publication was preceded by one titled "Jesuit, or Catholic Sentinel" and they kept the same volume numbering. It was also,... Read full description  

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

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    $31.00
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  • Publisher with an interesting life...  Indian hostilities...
    Item #707490
    THE ANTIGALLICAN MONITOR & ANTI-CORSICAN CHRONICLE, London, Oct. 27, 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. Goldsmith escaped to... Read full description  
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  • Publisher with an interesting life...
    Item #707489
    THE ANTIGALLICAN MONITOR & ANTI-CORSICAN CHRONICLE, London, Oct. 20, 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. Goldsmith escaped to England in 1809... Read full description  

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

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    $26.00
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  • On Uncle Tom's Cabin: a suggestion for a sequel...
    Item #707430
    THE NATIONAL ERA, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1853  This newspaper is forever linked to the best-selling novel of the 19th century: "Uncle Tom's Cabin", for the book was originally released as a 40 week serial in this anti-slavery newspaper beginning in June, 1851. It was the newspaper's publisher who encouraged Stowe to produce the... Read full description  

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

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    $98.00
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  • Nice issue on Uncle Tom's Cabin...
    Item #707416
    THE NATIONAL ERA, Washington, D.C., June 3, 1852  

    * Uncle Tom's Cabin 
    * Harriet Beecher Stowe
    * Book becomes mainstream 
    * Anti-slavery publication 


    The back page has not one, but two advertisements for the sale of: "Uncle Tom's Cabin". One ad begins: "A constant supply of this most interesting work will... Read full description  
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    $98.00
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  • The first convention of clubs: the birth of organized baseball...
    Item #707410
    THE NEW YORK HERALD, January 23, 1857 

    * Birth of organized baseball
    * First convention of clubs


    The back page has a report which could be considered the birth of organized baseball. And printed the day after the event happened.
    The second column has an article headed: "Our National Sports" with... Read full description  
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    $930.00
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  • Money for the Navy and completing the U.S. Capitol...
    Item #707401
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 13, 1805  

    * President Thomas Jefferson 
    * United States Navy support
    * Construction of the U.S. Capitol


    The front page begins with: "An Act Making appropriations for the support of the Navy of the United States, during the year 1805" plus: "An Act Making an appropriation... Read full description  
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    $37.00
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  • Early newspaper from Long Island...
    Item #707384
    THE CORRECTOR, Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, April 16, 1831  

    * Rare high class community publication

    An early newspaper from this once-famous whaling town near the eastern end of Long Island, now more famous as a playground for the rich & famous who frequent the neighboring Hamptons. 
    Four pages, archivally rejoined at the... Read full description  
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    $34.00
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  • Seeking a location in the Chesapeake for a naval depot...
    Item #707345
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Feb. 22, 1817 

    * Chesapeake Bay naval depot search
    * Captain David Porter - U.S. Navy


    The first two pages are taken up with a lengthy report signed in type by: D. Porter, being: "...the communication made by captain David Porter, commissioner of the navy in relation to the site... Read full description  
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    $27.00
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  • Venezuelan Independence... Manifesto of Caracas...
    Item #707340
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Oct. 19 & 26, 1811  This two issue set, under the heading "A Manifesto," has nearly 10 pages dedicated to the Manifesto of Caracas, and related details.
    The coverage begins: "By the confederation of Venezuela, in South America, of the reason which influenced them in the... Read full description  
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    $57.00
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  • Events in Texas...
    Item #707339
    NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, May 7, 1836 

    * Texas war for independence
    * Sam Houston & Santa Anna


    The front page & page 2 have an article headed: "The Mexican Borders"  and includes a letter beginning: "The war in Texas...had induced the president of the United States to require a considerable augmentation of regular... Read full description  
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    $132.00
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  • First of this title we have offered?
    Item #707099
    LADIES' LITERARY CABINET, New York, Jan. 20, 1821  We can find no record of having offered this title before. It existed for just 3 1/2 years and contains various articles as the title would suggest.
    Eight pages, 9 by 11 1/4 inches, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, foxing is mostly to the front page, minimal rubbing
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    $28.00
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  • Death of Hamilton by duel...   Naval map: English vs. French...
    Item #707093
    THE TIMES, London, England, Aug. 11, 1804  Page 2 begins with a nice report concerning the death of Alexander Hamilton, noting in part: "...intelligence which may be considered of most important in them respects the death of General Hamilton...He died on the 12 of July...in consequence of a wound received in a duel on... Read full description  
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  • Capture of a suspected slave ship...
    Item #707053
    NEW YORK TIMES, June 19, 1859  

    * Slaver - slave ship Orion
    * African Slave Trade Patrol


    The front page has two-thirds of a column headed: "The Suspected Slaver - Description of the Belssel--Manifest of her Cargo...". The text notes in part: "The bark Orion...which arrived in this port...from the coast of Africa...been... Read full description  
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    $42.00
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  • Twelve documents, each signed by President John Adams...
    Item #707047
    THE SPECTATOR, New York, Aug. 9, 1800  Headed by an engraving of a heraldic eagle, the front page has four Acts of Congress, carrying over to page 2 where there are an additional three Acts and five "Resolves", each signed in type by the President, John Adams, with the Resolves also signed by Thomas Jefferson as... Read full description  
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  • 'A weath of in-depth reporting on "Bleeding Kansas''...
    Item #707041
    THE SEMI-WEEKLY TIMES, New York, Sept. 9, 1856  

    * Battle of Osawatomie, Kansas
    * Abolitionist John Brown
    * Free-Staters vs. Border Ruffians
    * Fight for pro and anti-slavery 


    The front page has much reporting on "Bleeding Kansas" with column heads: "THE KANSAS WAR" "Details of the Flight at... Read full description  
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    $38.00
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  • John Quincy Adams' state-of-the-union address...
    Item #707040
    RHODE ISLAND AMERICAN & PROVIDENCE GAZETTE, Dec. 11, 1827  

    * President John Quincy Adams
    * State of the Union Address


    The entire front page is taken up with: "President's MESSAGE" to Congress, being his annual state-of-the-union address, a tradition begun with Washington & which continues to this day.... Read full description  
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    $32.00
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  • The John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry...   Brownsville, Texas
    Item #706999
    NEW YORK TRIBUNE Nov. 29, 1859 

    * John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry
    * Pre Civil War tensions re. slavery question


    Inside has two articles on: "Brownsville", Texas, concerning the troubles at the border with Mexico.
    But the more notable content is on the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry, with... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • From Greensboro, North Carolina...   On the death of President Harrison...
    Item #706995
    THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, (now spelled Greensboro) North Carolina, April 20, 1841  

    * William Henry Harrison funeral
    * President John Tyler inauguration 

    The front page has: "Burial Of The President", being William Henry Harrison who served as President for just one month. This article takes 2 columns, and is... Read full description  
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    $43.00
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  • Travails of journeying across the Plains...
    Item #706990
    THE NORWALK EXPERIMENT, Ohio, June 21, 1859  Page 2 has an interesting article: "Horrible Tales of Sufferings on the Plains - 300 Emigrant Starved to Death on the Smoky Hill Route - Experience of Two Young Men from Waume County, Ind." This report tells of the travails of those heading towards California on the land route.
    Four... Read full description  
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    $36.00
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  • Alexander Hamilton's famous newspaper...
    Item #706978
    NEW YORK EVENING POST, July 31, 1802  This is the famous newspaper founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801, still publishing today.
    The front page is taken up with advertisements, 8 of which are illustrated ship ads. Various news reports of the day from Thomas Jefferson's administration.
    Four pages, minor margin tears, nice condition.

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

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    $29.00
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  • Creating the Southern Confederacy...
    Item #706614
    NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 1, 1861  

    * Creating the "Southern Confederate"
    * American Civil War tensions in the South


    Among the front page first column heads: "THE NATIONAL CRISIS" "Secession Speech by Senator Benjamin of Louisiana" "Disgraceful Scene in the Senate Galleries" "The Condition of the Forts... Read full description  
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  • Concerning the death of Thomas Jefferson...
    Item #706593
    THE TIMES, London, England, Sept. 7, 1826  

    * President Thomas Jefferson death

    Page 2 has a report with a small head: "Mr. Jefferson" beginning: "We understand that Mr. Jefferson has left behind him a memoir of a part of his own life & times; he commenced its composition in the 77th year of his age..." with... Read full description  
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  • The British capture Washington, D.C: in a London newspaper...
    Item #706592
    THE TIMES, London, England, Sept. 29, 1814  Page 2 has a report headed: "City Of Washington Destroyed" as taken from American newspapers.
    The report begins: "This day we have the disagreeable task of recording the capture & destruction of the city of Washington, the capital of the United States! Six... Read full description  

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

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    $195.00
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  • Brigham Young and the Mormons...
    Item #706378
    DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 21, 1857 

    * Mormons - Mormonism
    * Prophet Brigham Young
    * Fort Lemhi - Salmon River


    Page 3 has an article: "Utah Territory" which mentions in part: "A part of 16 persons arrived at St. Louis...from Salt Lake City...a large number of missionaries to be dispatched to all parts of... Read full description  
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    $58.00
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  • The International Cricket Match... Oystering...
    Item #706372
    FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Oct. 15, 1859  The front page has: "The Great Oyster Excitement - Scene On Board The Schooner Yankee Bird...". The inside has the desirable: "The International Cricket Match At Hoboken - Scene On The St. George's Ground, On The Morning Of The Match", which tells of the... Read full description  
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    $120.00
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  • Unlisted title...
    Item #706108
    THE LITERARY TABLET, Hanover, New Hampshire, July 2, 1806  A scarce title as it is not listed in Brigham's "History & Bibliography of American Newspapers" nor in Mott's "History of American Magazines". it existed from 1803 thru 1807.
    Published bi-weekly, 4 pages, never bound nor trimmed, wear at the folds.

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

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    $245.00
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  • Working towards consummating the Louisiana Purchase...
    Item #706066
    THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, July 27, 1803  Page 2 contains: "Washington - By the President of the United States of America. A PROCLAMATION" calling for convening Congress about the Louisiana Purchase, signed: Thomas Jefferson. Immediately following is: "Feature Of The Treaty" with... Read full description  

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

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    $65.00
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  • Print of a California battle...   The sensational Jenny Lind...
    Item #705952
    GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION, Boston, May 17, 1851  The front page shows: "Packet Ship Isaac Webb, of New York." Inside prints include: "Encounter with a Whale" "Race Course on Long Island" "Scene at the Revere House" "Castle Garden, New York" "Gen.... Read full description  
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    $41.00
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  • Print of a California battle...   The sensational Jenny Lind...
    Item #705951
    GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION, Boston, May 17, 1851  The front page shows: "Packet Ship Isaac Webb, of New York." Inside prints include: "Encounter with a Whale" "Race Course on Long Island" "Scene at the Revere House" "Castle Garden, New York" "Gen.... Read full description  
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    $38.00
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  • Landmark event in women's history: former slave woman petitions as an heir to her brother's estate...
    Item #705927
    COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 22, 1817  

    * Former Woman slave Pamela Sparhawk
    * Newton, Massachusetts petition for estate


    In 1818 a woman named Pamela Sparhawk petitioned the Mass. General Court to be recognized as heir to her brother’s estate.
    What makes this... Read full description  
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    $198.00
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  • Billiards, and the Great Eastern...
    Item #705917
    LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Jan. 1, 1859  Inside has a print of: "Michael Phelan's Billiard Saloons..." and a: "Diagram of Shot" in billiards. The centerfold has a nice print of: "The Great Eastern Steamship As She Will Appear At Sea" with another small print of it. Lengthy article as well.
    Inside also... Read full description  
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    $46.00
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  • A Democratic Party organ...
    Item #705755
    KENDALL'S EXPOSITOR, Washington, D.C., May 19, 1841 
    Being from the nation's capital it is not surprising that there are various political reports. 
    This was a biweekly published from 1841 to 1844. Founded by Amos Kendall, a prominent political figure and former Postmaster General under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, it... Read full description  
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    $40.00
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  • News on the John Brown invasion...   Capture of a slave ship...
    Item #705682
    NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 1859

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


      The front page has an article: "Arrival Of A Captured Slaver" concerns the barque Emily, captured on the coast of Africa: "...This is the fourth slaver... Read full description  
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    $45.00
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  • A pair of issues: the inauguration & death of President W. H. Harrison...
    Item #705650
    THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, North Carolina, March 26 and April 13, 1841

    * William Henry Harrison
    * Presidential inauguration 
    * Illness and then death


     A nice pair of issues of the same title with the inauguration of President William Henry Harrison, and his death report one month later.
    March 16: the... Read full description  
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    $248.00
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  • Early newspaper from Long Island...
    Item #705630
    THE CORRECTOR, Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, Aug. 21, 1897  An early newspaper from this once-famous whaling town near the eastern end of Long Island, now more famous as a playground for the rich & famous who frequent the neighboring Hamptons.
    Various news & ads of the day. Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, some minor... Read full description  
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    $29.00
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  • On Lincoln's seminal speech which lead to the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates...
    Item #705620
    NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 6, 1857  

    * Abraham Lincoln speech
    * Springfield, Illinois
    * Lincoln-Douglas debates prelude


    Page 3 has nearly 2 columns taken up with a seminal report on Lincoln's political career. Lincoln had been in the audience when Stephen Douglas made his June 12 speech... Read full description  
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    $445.00
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  • Great account of the last of the Lincoln-Douglas debates...
    Item #705619
    NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Oct. 23, 1858  

    * Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas
    * The Great Debates of 1858 (last one)
    * Alton, Madison County, Illinois


    Keeping in mind that this was from the period of the Lincoln/Douglas debates, page 4 has a report from Springfield headed: "Illinois Politics" which talks of... Read full description  
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    $725.00
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  • 'Official' report of the gold discovery in California...
    Item #705603
    NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1848  

    * Gold discovered in California
    * Official government report
    * Pre 49ers- Forty-Niners


    Beginning on the front page and taking all of page 2 and most of page 3 is  the: "President's Annual Message" to the nation, in which is a rather lengthy... Read full description  
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    $255.00
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