Historic Newspapers: World War II
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 5, 1944
* Alexander Fleming
* Penicillin - Penicillium
* Made available for public use
* World War II - WWII
The front page has a two column heading: "Public to Get Penicillin Through 1,000 Hospitals" See below for background.
Complete in 34 pages, rag edition in great condition.
Background: This complete, 34-page issue of The New York Times from May 5, 1944, is a highly prized historical artifact that captures the exact dawn of the antibiotic age. Featuring a front-page…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, Feb. 24, 1942
* Attack on California coast
* Ellwood oil field shelling
* Japanese submarine I-17
The front page banner headline proclaims: "SUB SHELLS WEST COAST" with subheads. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with all 16 pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally in good condition.
Background: On February 23, 1942, the Japanese submarine I-17, commanded by Kozo Nishino, surfaced off the coast of Goleta, California, and…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 27, 1944
* Third United States Army
* General George S. Patton
* World War II - WWII
* Battle of the Bulge prelude
The front page has a banner headline: "3D ARMY GAINS 5 MILES, SPLITS MAGINOT LINE" with subheads that include: "Patton's Forces Mile From St. Avold, Key Town Below Saarbruecken" and more. (see) Much more on other World war II events of the day.
Complete with all 34 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
Background: On November 26, 1944, a pivotal…
LOS ANGELES EXAMINER, VE, May 7, 1945
* Germany Surrenders
* V-E day - Nazis quit
The masthead has a patriotic theme with blue and red ink. The terrific banner headline announces: "NAZIS SURRENDER" with: "EUROPE WAR COMES TO END" with large photo of Eisenhower. Great for display. More on the following pages. Two full page pictorials at the back.
First section only with 16 pages, some wear at the margins, minor central fold wear, partially loose along the spine, generally in good condition.
Backgrou…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 4, 1928
* Original Declaration of Independence facsimile
* July 4, 1776 with full text and founding fathers (signatures)
* 250th anniversary this coming Summer (2026)
Page 8 has a full page facsimile of the original Declaration of Independence with heading: "IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776; The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" with full text and all the signatures which includes John Hancock.
Complete with all 30 pages, rag edition, some small…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 29, 1942
* Internment of Axis-Americans beginning
* World War II - WWII - Japanese citizens
Page 12 has a one column heading: "WEST COAST MOVES TO OUST JAPANESE" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with all 40 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.
Background: The convergence of events on January 28, 1942, serves as the critical transition point where the United States moved from targeted national security measures to a policy of mass, race-based incarceration. The…
PICTURE SECTION only of the Chicago Sunday Tribune, Jan. 27, 1946
* Iconic World War II photos
* Actress Maureen O'Hara
The front page shows a nice color photo of Actress Maureen O'Hara near the beginning of her Hollywood career.
Pages 7 through 10 have several historic photos from the recent war including the flag raising at Iwo Jima, the D-Day invasion and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (see images)
Complete with all 16 pages, tabloid size, good condition.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 28, 1943
* "Rare of Europe" - Nazis looting - plundering
* Art, machinery, war materials & much more
The top of the back page has a one column heading: "NAZI LOOTING HELD BIGGEST IN HISTORY" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with all 44 pages, rag edition in great condition.
Background: The April 28, 1943, New York Times report served as the public unveiling of a massive Allied investigation into Nazi spoliation, revealing that the "rape of Europe" had expanded far…
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, EXTRA, July 12, 1943
* Invasion of Sicily Italy
* Operation Husky
The nice headline on the front page in bold lettering announces: "HEAVY BATTLE ON NEAR SICILY INVASION PORT" with subheads, related map and photo. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with 18 pages, light toning at the margins, some small binding holes and a little wear along the spine, generally nice.
Background: Operation Husky stands as a pivotal turning point in World War II, serving as the massive…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, June 16, 1942
* Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Imperial Japanese Navy secret coding - codes
Read below for a short biography of Journalist Stanley Johnston who worked for this very publication. This issue contains the 4th installment out of 15 he wrote regarding his experience onboard the USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
The top of page 2 has a banner heading: "U.S. WARBIRDS SINK JAP CARRIER,…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 12, 1943
* Krakow and Lodz ghettos erased
* Severe persecution of Polish Jews
* Jewish Holocaust heats up in Poland
* World War II - WWII Europe
Near the bottom of page 5 is a one column heading: "Nazis Erase Ghettos In Two Polish Cities" with subhead. (see image)
Complete with all 42 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.
Background: The liquidation of the Kraków Ghetto in March 1943 and the industrial isolation of the Łódź Ghetto represent a critical shift in the…
THE STARS & STRIPES, New York & London edition, Nov. 29, 1943
* Great Lakes Naval Training Station Bluejackets
* Beats Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purdue's stadium
* Military pro vs. college football national champions
In the masthead is: "Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations".
The top of page 5 has a banner heading: "Great Lakes Topples Unbeaten Notre Dame, 19-14" with subheads, stats and related illustration. (see images)
Of course there is World War II…
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, May 7, 1945
* Germany Surrenders
* V-E day - Nazis quit
The front page has a banner headline announcing: "Germans Surrender" with subhead and related illustration. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with all 10 pages, light toning at the margins, good condition.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 8, 1942
* Internment of Axis-Americans beginning
* World War II - WWII - AG Francis Biddle
The top of page 19 has a one column heading: "NEW ALIEN LISTING PLANNED BU BIDDLE" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with all 44 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.
background: The transition in Robert F. Whitney’s reporting between January and May of 1942 serves as a bone-chilling case study in the fragility of civil liberties, revealing how quickly a "measured"…
SECTION 4 ONLY of the New York Times, Jan. 4, 1942
* Internment of Japanese Americans beginning
* World War II - WWII - Robert F. Whitney
The back page of this section has a editorial by Robert F. Whitney with heading: "ONLY 2,971 ENEMY ALIENS ARE HELD" with photo of Francis M. Biddle. (see images)
Complete section 4 only with all 8 pages, rag edition, minor spine wear, nice condition.
background: The transition in Robert F. Whitney’s reporting between January and May of 1942 serves as a…
THE TOPEKA DAILY CAPITAL, Kansas, August 31, 1945
* United States Marines land on Japan
* General Douglas MacArthur takes control
* World War II American Occupation begins
The top of the front page has a two column heading: "'Bloodless' Invasion Of Japan Continues" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with all 22 pages, light toning at the margins, a few small binding holes along the spine, generally in nice condition.
Background: August 31, 1945, represents the pivotal, high-stakes dawn of the…
GRIT, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1939
* Blitzkrieg - Warsaw
* World War II WWII beginning
* Nazis invade Poland
* FRONT LEAF ONLY ***
The front page has a nice banner headline: "Warsaw, Bombed and Afire, Calls Women to Fight; London, in Rebuff to Goering, Plans Three-Year War; German Troops Begin Counter-Attack on West Front" with various subheads. (see images)
This is the FRONT LEAF ONLY (pages 1 & 2), small piece torn away along the blank spine, two small holes near the center,…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 4, 1943
* Original Declaration of Independence facsimile
* July 4, 1776 with full text and founding fathers (signatures)
* Middle of the World War II era - 167th anniversary
Page 14 has a full page facsimile of the original Declaration of Independence with heading: "IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776; The unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen united States of America" with full text and all the signatures which includes John Hancock.
Complete 1st section only with all 24 pages,…
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, May 1, 1945
* Raising a Flag over the Reichstag - WWII
* Soviet's Union's victory over Nazi Germany
* Battle of Berlin - World War II (Europe) ending
The front page has a banner headline: "Soviets Hoist Victory Flag Over Reichstag" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with all 12 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
background: The hoisting of the Soviet "Victory Banner" over the Reichstag on May 1, 1945, stands as the definitive visual coda…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, November 17, 1942
* Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
* Savo Island - Solomons victory
The front page has a nice banner headline: "JAPAN GIVEN WORST DEFEAT" with subheads and related map. (see image) Nice for display.
Complete with 20 pages, some various small ink notations throughout with 2 on the front page, light toning at the margins, some small binding holes along the spine, generally nice.
background: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal served as the violent, decisive…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 10, 1942
* Battle of the Coral Sea - U.S. victory ?
* Imperial Japanese verses United States Navy
* USS Lexington aircraft carrier sinking fame
* First ever naval battle with aircraft carriers
The top of the front page has a five column headline: "U. S. FLEET HUNTS BATTERED ENEMY" with subheads. (see images) More on page 3.
Complete 1st section only with all 46, rag edition in nice condition.
Background: On May 9, 1942, both the United States and Japan issued claims about…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, February 1, 1943
* Battle of Stalingrad ending
* Nazis 1st major loss in WWII
* One of the bloodiest battles in history
The top of the front page has a five column headline: "NAZIS' STALINGRAD CHIEF CAPTURED, ONE OF LAST 2 POCKETS WIPED OUT" with subheads. Related map on page 2. (see) Coverage on the closing events of the Battle of Stalingrad which was considered the 1st major loss for the Nazis and a major turning point during World War II.
Complete with 32 pages, rag edition,…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 18, 1942
* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
The first three column of the front page are taken up with four related photos with heading: "U.S. NAVY FLIERS FIND QUARRY IN CORAL SEA"
The top of page 2 has a five column heading: "LAST HOUR STRIKES FOR LEXINGTON" with lead-in: "Doomed by Blazes, Internal Blasts" and related photo. (see images)
Complete with 20 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, some…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 8, 1942
* Battle of the Coral Sea is on
* Imperial Japanese verses U.S. Navy
* USS Lexington & Yorktown fame
* Pacific Ocean theater - aircraft carriers
The front page has a nice banner headline: "GREAT NAVAL AND AIR BATTLE RAGES IN PACIFIC" with subheads and related map. (see images)
Complete with all 42 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
Background:On May 9, 1942, both the United States and Japan issued claims about the outcome of the…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 7, 1945
* Capture of Cologne, Germany
* 1st major German city to surrender
* Finals weeks of the Third Reich
The front page has a nice banner headline: "SHATTERED COLOGNE FALLS TO 1ST ARMY; 3D SWEEPS WITHIN 20 MILES OF COBLENZ; SOVIET GAIN NEAR STETTIN SECURES FLANK" with subheads and related photo. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with 38 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.
background: The March 7, 1945, edition of The New York…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, May 7, 1942
* United States surrender Corregidor
* Manila Bay, Philippines
* Prelude to the Bataan death march
* General Jonathan M. Wainwright
* World War II - WWII
The front page has a four column heading: "JAPS HUNT FOR GUERRILLA BANDS ON THE PHILIPPINES" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with all 22 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally nice.
Background: On May 6, 1942, after months of intense fighting…
SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER--EXTRA--Dec. 8, 1941
* Attack on Pearl Harbor
* U.S. to enter World War II
* Imperial Japanese Navy
* Great headline for display
This issue has one of the best and most displayable headlines on America's entry into World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, with a huge, banner "EXTRA" above the masthead, and the large headline: "U.S. - JAP WAR!" with "HAWAII, MANILA BOMBED; TWO U.S. WARSHIPS SUNK".
There are various subheads including: "Severe Explosions Rock Pearl…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, June 13, 1942
* USS Lexington 'Gray Lady' disaster
* Battle of Coral Sea - World War II
The front page has a very nice six column photo showing navy sailors jumping off the stricken USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral sea with heading: "Lexington Survivor Tells of Fiery Death of Carrier" with subhead. this is a eyewitness account by Chicago Tribune journalist Stanly Johnston. More on pages 2 & 3. And to top things off, there is a full back page…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 18, 1942
* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
* Battle of Midway aircraft carriers - sailors
The top of page 3 has a one column heading: "FLAMES ON CARRIER FOUGHT TO THE END" with subheads. Also four photos with heading: "As Coral Sea Battle Raged; First Blow To Lexington And Sinking Of Japanese Carrier" (see images)
The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "'YOU FIRST' SLOGAN ON THE LEXINGTON" with subhead and…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 2, 1943
* Bombing of Cagliari, Sardinia - Italy
* U.S. Army & Royal Air Force bombers
* Prelude to the invasion of Sicily
The top of the front page has a four column headline: "100 FORTRESSES BATTER SARDINIA, SMASH 26 SHIPS AND 71 PLANES" with subheads and related aerial photo. (see images)
Complete with 42 pages, light toning at the margins, a little spine wear, generally in very nice condition.
Background:The bombing of Cagliari on March 31, 1943, carried out mainly by…
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Aug. 12, 1940
* Battle of Britain
* London bombings
* WWII Nazi bombers
The top of the front page has a banner headline: "BRITAIN FIGHTS 400 RAIDERS; Great Air Battles Rage Over 300 Miles of Channel Coast" with subheads. (see images) Related map is on page 2.
Complete with all 30 pages, some archival mending throughout, some small binding holes along the spine, otherwise in nice, displayable condition.
background: On August 12, 1940, during the Battle of…
LOS ANGELES EXAMINER, War Extra, June 23, 1941
* Germany vs. Russia - 1st Day
* Operation Barbarossa
* World War II, WWII
The front page has a nice banner headline: "RUSS ATTACK PRUSSIA!; Germany Claims 40 Red Planes Downed; Starts Drive for Wheatlands of Ukraine" with subhead related photo. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with 28 pages, nice condition.
background: Operation Barbarossa was Nazi Germany’s massive invasion of the Soviet Union, launched on June 22, 1941, and…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 8, 1941
* Mineo Osumi killed in airplane crash
* Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy
* During Second Sino-Japanese War
* Minister of the Navy of Japan
Page 4 has a two column heading: "Japanese Plane Crash Kills Admiral Osumi And Six Other Naval Officers in South China" (see images)
Complete with 32 pages, rag edition in nice condition.
background: Mineo Ōsumi was a Japanese admiral and political leader who played a key role in Japan’s naval and military expansion in the…
AIRCRAFT MACHINIST, Los Angeles, California, Dec. 7, 1943 From the midst of World War II, this is a in-house newspaper by the AFL, the 'Voice of Aircraft Labor" as noted in the masthead. Southern California was a hotbed of aircraft construction at the time.
Four pages, minor margin tears, good condition.
background: This four-page edition of the Aircraft Machinist, published on the second anniversary of Pearl Harbor, serves as a high-tension artifact of the Southern California "Arsenal of…
BRUYSSELER ZEITUNG (Brüssels Newspaper), Belgium, Nov. 5, 1942
* Rare German occupation publication
From Nazi-occupied Belgium with a wealth of war-related reporting. The main headline notes: "Setback For Roosevelt's Party".
Presumed complete in 6 pages, good condition.
background: The Brüsseler Zeitung issue from November 5, 1942, serves as a stark artifact of the "New Order" in Europe, where the Nazi propaganda machine meticulously curated news to demoralize occupied populations and bolster…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 4, 1935
* Original Declaration of Independence facsimile
* July 4, 1776 with full text and founding fathers (signatures)
* 250th anniversary this coming Summer (2026}
Page 8 has a full page facsimile of the original Declaration of Independence with heading: "IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776; The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" with full text and all the signatures which includes John Hancock.
Complete with all 32 pages, light toning…
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., February 17, 1945.
* U.S. Marines begin landing at Iwo Jima
* Famous World War II battle beginning
The front page has a nice banner headline on the re-capture of Corregidor by U.S. forces.
Also on the front page is a two column heading: "Iwo Jima Invaded In Inner Defense Of Jap Homeland" with related map. (see images)
Complete with 10 pages, light toning and very minor wear at the margins, generally in nice condition.
Background: The Battle of Iwo Jima…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, May 11, 1942
* The famous Doolittle raid of Japan told
* U.S. Army Air Force B-25B Mitchell bombers
* From the USS Hornet aircraft carrier
* Battle of the Coral Sea Won
* Imperial Japanese verses U.S. Navy
* Pacific Ocean theater
The front page has a three column heading: "BOMBERS HIT FAST, LOW; FIRES BURNED 48 HOURS" with lead-in: "Army Tells Its Tokyo Secret at Last..."
And page 5 has reporting on the recent U.S. victory at the battle of the…
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., Extra, Dec. 24, 1943
* D-Day invasion leader named
* General Dwight D. Eisenhower
The front page has a nice banner headline for display: "EISENHOWER ALLIED LEADER" with subheads and photo. (see images)
Complete with 14 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally in good condition.
Background: On December 24, 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was officially named the Supreme Allied Commander for the planned invasion…
THE NIPPU JIJI, "Leading Japanese Daily Newspaper In Hawaii", Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.A. December 8, 1941
Read about a recent discovery below.
Interesting to have this banner headline: "U.S. CONGRESS DECLARES WAR AGAINST JAPAN AS FDR ACCUSES HER OF TREACHERY" in a newspaper for the Japanese citizens of Hawaii.
Among the subheads: "No Japanese Raid Since Last Night Up to 8 A.M." "President Says America to Fight On Until Victory" "Governor Issues Proclamation of Hawaii…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, June 15, 1942
* Life on board United States Navy carrier described
* Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Imperial Japanese Navy secret coding - codes
Read below for a short biography of Journalist Stanley Johnston who worked for The Chicago Tribune.
The top of page 3 has a banner heading: "U. S. FLIERS BAG 15 SHIPS WITHOUT A LOSS" with lead-in: "Sunken Lexington's Aerial Field Day" and various…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 25, 1942
* William Darby's U.S. Army Rangers
* First ground combat with German forces
* Dieppe Raid - Invasion of France fame
* Allied amphibious attack - tanks
* World War II - WWII training
Page 5 has a three column photo headed: "Up And Over: The Rangers Way" with brief text. Also a one column photo of William Darby. (see images)
Complete with all 40 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.
Background: Major William Orlando Darby established and led…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, December 12, 1944
* Gen. Courtney H. Hodges
* General George S. Patton
* World War II - WWII
* Battle of the Bulge prelude
The front page has a nice banner headline: "3 U. S. ARMIES ROLL NAZIS BACK" with subheads. See images for coverage of Generals Hodges & Patton's movements within a week prior to the Battle of the Bulge.
Complete with 18 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, some small ink notations throughout with 3 on the front page…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 8, 1942
* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Captain Frederick C. Sherman awarded
* Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross
The top of page 11 has a one column heading: "LEXINGTON CAPTAIN DECORATED BY NAVY" with subheads. (see images)
Other World War II reporting throughout. Complete with 42 pages, rag edition in great condition.
Background:On July 7, 1942, Captain Frederick C. Sherman, U.S. Navy, received a Gold Star in lieu of a…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 4, 1933
* Original Declaration of Independence facsimile
* July 4, 1776 with full text and founding fathers (signatures)
* 250th anniversary this coming Summer (2026}
Page 11 has a full page facsimile of the original Declaration of Independence with heading: "IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776; The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" with full text and all the signatures which includes John Hancock.
Complete with all 30 pages, rag edition…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, December 19, 1944
* Battle of Bulge begins
* Initial German attack
* World War II - WWII
The front page has a four column heading: "Germans Drive Yanks Back 4 Miles, Lose 143 Planes" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with with 18 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, some small ink notations on the inside pages only, generally good.
wikipedia notes: In December of 1944, the Germans began the assault with a massive, 90-minute artillery…
MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, April 9, 1940
* Germany invades Norway & Denmark
* Operation Weserübung - World War II
The front page has a nice banner headline: "Norway at War With Nazis! Germans Take Over Denmark" with subheads and related map. (see images) Good for display.
Complete with all 28 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally nice.
Background: On April 8, 1940, Operation Weserübung — the German invasion of Denmark and…
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, April 28, 1943
* The famous Doolittle raid of Japan
* U.S. Army Air Force B-25B Mitchell bombers
* USS Hornet aircraft carrier told
The front page has a two column heading: "A Buzzing Hornet Approaches Japan" with lead-in: "'I Bombed Tokyo" and subhead. Page 2 has a photo of the crew on the deck of the USS Hornet just before the raid. (see images) This was when the realization of who was responsible for the Jimmy Doolittle raid on Japan was made public. This…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 4, 1944
* Original Declaration of Independence facsimile
* July 4, 1776 with full text and founding fathers (signatures)
* World War II era - Post D-Day
Page 14 has a full page facsimile of the original Declaration of Independence with heading: "IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776; The unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen united States of America" with full text and all the signatures which includes John Hancock.
Complete with all 32 pages, rag edition in great…
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, November 27, 1941
* Pre-Pearl Harbor attack on America
* About one week away - imminent
* Roosevelt knows something ?
Complete with 30+ pages, light toning at the margins, some small binding holes along the spine, generally nice.
Background: On November 27, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt…
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