Newspapers from the 1700s
The eighteenth century saw the heyday of the Age of Reason, and the rising popularity and increased distribution of newspapers played a key role in deepening and expanding public discourse. We carry only absolutely authentic original newspapers, and there's no better way to discover the history of the 1700s than to hold a newspaper from that century in your own hands.Newspapers from the 1700s
The eighteenth century saw the heyday of the Age of Reason, and the rising popularity and increased distribution of newspapers played a key role in deepening and expanding public discourse. We carry only absolutely authentic original newspapers, and there's no better way to discover the history of the 1700s than to hold a newspaper from that century in your own hands.
Death of John Hancock in his hometown newspaper...
Item #681123
October 09, 1793
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 9, 1793
* John Hancock death (1st report)
* Declaration of Independence signer
* 1st Massachusetts Governor
* From his hometown (rare)
Curiously, the ftpg. includes "A Proclamation for a Day of Public Thanksgiving By His Excellency John Hancock, Governor..." carrying over to pg. 2 where it is signed by him in type: John Hancock.
Contrast t... See More
General Greene to attack Savannah...
Item #681110
June 20, 1782
THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE, London, June 20, 1782
* Revolutionary War Era
* 18th century
* From The Enemy
* Savannah, Georgia
The back page has a report that: "According to the last accounts from Charles-Town [Charleston] General Greene was to attack Savannah some time in the beginning of May and as his army consisted of near 4000 Regulars, besides a superior number of Cont... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #681106
April 14, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 14, 1744
* Very rare 18th century magazine
* 1st successful magazine in America
This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of iss... See More
General Clinton's letter on the Loyalists...
Item #681060
April 27, 1782
THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE, London, April 27, 1782
* Revolutionary War Era
* 18th century
* From The Enemy
Page 3 has reports under the heading: "America" including: "...that the army under the Count de Rochambeau have leveled their works, and quitted their posts at York-Town, Virginia. Also a letter sent too Gov. Franklin, President of the Board of Directors of A... See More
A full size, single sheet newspaper...
Item #680968
October 27, 1730
THE DAILY POST, London, Oct. 27, 1730 A single sheet newspaper of folio size with front page news from London & elsewhere in Europe, with the back page taken up with ads.
Red tax stamp at the bottom of the back page. Measures 10 by 16 1/2 inches, the back page has some staining at the spine margin, otherwise good condition.
Capture of Ethan Allen...
Item #680937
October 21, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775
* Ethan Allen captured
* Revolutionary War
The front page includes a letter: "To the King" which references the American situation & includes: "...Let then, royal Sire, the liberty of England and America be ever in your heart, then shall the people be free, and America shall yet be happy in the full enjoyment of ... See More
A "Diabolical Courant" newspaper within... Map of Northern Italy...
Item #680824
January 01, 1747
THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, January, 1747 Of curious interest is the printing of a satire "newspaper" taking 2 1/2 pages, titled "The Diabolical Courant; or, Hellish Intelligencer". It's theme is on the recent English Civil War.
Otherwise various European reports and news of the day.
Complete in 56 pages, full title/contents page featuring a very nice & detail... See More
A "Diabolical Courant" newspaper within... Map of Northern Italy...
Item #680823
January 01, 1747
THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, January, 1747 Of curious interest is the printing of a satire "newspaper" taking 2 1/2 pages, titled "The Diabolical Courant; or, Hellish Intelligencer". It's theme is on the recent English Civil War.
Included as well is a foldout map titled: "A Map of the Northern Parts of Italy Containing Savoy, Piemont, Milan, Parma, Mantua... See More
Secret societies... Free Masons... Illuminati... numismatics...
Item #680808
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1798 The prominent feature of this issue would be the nearly 9 pages dedicated to the review of a new publication" "Proofs of Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on in the Secret Meetings of Free Masons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies; collected from good authorities", by John Robison, Profe... See More
Slave insurrection in New York...
Item #680794
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1741
* New York Conspiracy of 1741
* Slaves - Slavery insurrection
Within this issue is an article: "Of the Office of Auditor of the Revenue in America" which includes: "I am a native of New England & having read in your paper...The state of importance of the American colonies is so little understood or regarded.
... See More
* New York Conspiracy of 1741
* Slaves - Slavery insurrection
Within this issue is an article: "Of the Office of Auditor of the Revenue in America" which includes: "I am a native of New England & having read in your paper...The state of importance of the American colonies is so little understood or regarded.
A conversion of a Jew... "Of a small Venomous Serpent..."
Item #680791
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, September, 1750 Over a page is taken up with: "Of a small Venomous Serpent...." which includes on page 2 a print of it. Another article is: "An Account of the Conversion of Daniel Tnangam Alexander, an Eminent Jew" to the Protestant religion.There is a continued article on: "Lewis XIV Greatest of Monarchs" by M. de Voltair... See More
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown, in an American newspaper...
Item #680790
December 14, 1781
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, December 14, 1781
* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending
This issue contains one of the most historically significant letters from the Revolutionary War, being Cornwallis' official announcement of his surrender to Washington at the Battle of Yorktown.
The report consumes all of page 3, prefaced with: "... See More
The very historic Duche letter to General Washington... Battle of the Kegs...
Item #680789
February 19, 1778
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Feb. 19, 1778
* Jacob Duché - 1st chaplain to the Continental Congress
* Famous letter to General George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
A nice feature of the masthead is a great engraving taken after one done earlier by Paul Revere, showing a patriot soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll reading "Independence" in the ot... See More
With both the die number and plate number...
Item #680695
October 06, 1789
THE DIARY; or, WOODFALL'S REGISTER, London, October 6, 1789
* Red tax stamp w/ plate & die #
* Uncommon publication
* 18th century original
As seen in the photo the front page includes a nice red-inked tax stamp which not only has the restrike die number but the plate number as well: "No. 10" in the lower right corner. This four page newspaper has c... See More
A petition from the people of Halifax, Nova Scotia...
Item #680668
January 03, 1758
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 3, 1758 Inside has over a full page headed: "America" with a Halifax, Nova Scotia dateline, beginning: "The following Memorial, signed by the principal merchants & freeholders in Halifax was...delivered to the Lieutenant Governor."
Eight pages, 8 by 11 inches, various chipping at the margins, good condition.
Significant & rare Judaica print... Burgoyne in Parliament to answer for Saratoga...
Item #680658
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE London, May, 1778 Certainly the most significant item in this issue is the very nice foldout engraving which is described on the contents page as: "An Inside View of the Jews Synagogue at Amsterdam, and of the Ceremony of sounding the Horn on New Year's Day".This plate folds out to 8 1/4 by 8 3/4 inches, has minor foxing, and a library stamp in a ... See More
Great foldout map of "West Florida" from Pensacola to New Orleans...
Item #680579
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, February, 1772 * Nice map of "West Florida"
* Pensacola, Florida, to New Orleans, Louisiana
* Plate of a rare bird from the Hudson Bay
Certainly the most notable item in this issue is the very nice foldout map titled: "A Map of Part of WEST FLORIDA" from Pensacola to the Mouth of Iberville River, with a View to shew t... See More
Two Acts of Congress signed by John Adams...
Item #680460
August 31, 1799
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 31, 1799
* President John Adams
* Land Acts of Congress
The front page has two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type: John Adams. One is to authorize the sale of: "...certain lands between the Great and Little Miami rivers in the territory of the United States north-west of the Ohio...". Other items include: "Rumors of a N
... See More
* President John Adams
* Land Acts of Congress
The front page has two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type: John Adams. One is to authorize the sale of: "...certain lands between the Great and Little Miami rivers in the territory of the United States north-west of the Ohio...". Other items include: "Rumors of a N
General Washington...
Item #680445
July 06, 1790
CONCORD HERALD, & NEW HAMPSHIRE INTELLIGENCER, New Hampshire, July 6, 1790
* President George Washington
On the front page under "Federal Congress" is the activity of the House of Representatives. The back page has a report about a "remarkable dwarf" who lived in New Jersey during the war and attracted "crowds of people", including Gen. Washington. Som... See More
A 'boxing match' between women of fashion...
Item #680431
August 27, 1796
THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, Aug. 27, 1796 Page 2 has a curious article headed: "Amorous Fracas!" beginning: "The boxing match which lately happened between two elderly maiden ladies of fashion in the vicinity of Merrion Square..." with the details.
Four pages, very nice, clean condition.
Notice for INA, oldest stock insurance company in the United States...
Item #680382
June 14, 1793
DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, June 14, 1793
* Notice for INA, oldest stock insurance company in the United States
The bottom of the bkpg. has a notice: "The Members of the Insurance Company of North America..." with more. INA is the oldest stock insurance company in the U.S., founded in Phila. in 1792. It merged to form CIGNA in 1982.
The ftpg. ... See More
Early on Botany Bay (Australia)...
Item #680376
July 27, 1790
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 27, 1790
* Early Botany Bay - Australia voyage
* The life of Alessandro Stradella (composer)
The front page has much on the life and eventual fate of the great 17th century composer, Alessandro Stradella. The inside also has a mention of "Governor Phillip's Voyage to Botany Bay", which was a 21-volume contemporary account of the establ... See More
Announcement that the Constitution has been created...
Item #680368
September 18, 1787
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, September 18, 1787
* First announcement that the Constitution of the United States has been finalized
* In regards to historic announcements in U.S. history, this is rivaled only by the announcement that the Declaration of Independence had been signed
A singularly historic newspaper. As collectors know the very first news... See More
A Tory newspaper from the Revolutionary War... On Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga...
Item #680364
March 07, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, March 7, 1778
* Surrender of general Burgoyne
* Battles of Saratoga - New York
This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
Most of the ftpg. is taken up with a: "...letter from Vice Admiral Lord Vi... See More
Washington to be dictator of America for life?
Item #680055
July 07, 1789
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 7, 1789
* President George Washington
* Dictator of American for Life ?
Page 4 has an: "Extract of a Letter From New York" which begins: "His Excellency General Washington, our new congressional President, and perhaps I might add Dictator of America for life, gave a very sumptuous entertainment on Thursday the 4th inst. on account of ... See More
Defending the criticisms of Jews...
Item #679999
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1731* A rare 1st edition
* Supporting criticism of the Jews
* Early report from Boston
This is just the third issue of this extremely successful magazine. Several editions of the first several issues were printed in the early 1730's, and are typically identified as such (2nd edition, 3rd edition, etc.) at the bottom of the title page. This ... See More
Cherokee movements in the Carolinas...
Item #679950
January 19, 1762
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 19, 1762 Over one-third of the front page is headed: "America" with various reports from Charleston concerning the movement of the Cherokee Indians since peace had been proclaimed.
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, tiny hole in the front leaf affects one word in the noted article, nice condition.
A new town near Hispaniola...
Item #679946
June 06, 1767
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 6, 1767 Inside has most of a column headed: "America" with datelines from Philadelphia, New York & Kingston, Jamaica.
One report notes that: "...Gov. Seymour...had already planned a town which was to be built on the Grand Key, and to be called by the name of Shelburne. As these islands lie so contiguous to Hispaniola...is imagined... See More
Byron's around-the-world voyage in the Dolphin...
Item #679940
April 18, 1767
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 18, 1767
* Commodore John Byron
* HMS Dolphin
* World voyage
Inside has half of a page taken up with: "Further Extracts from A Voyage round the World in his Majesty's Ship the Dolphin, Commanded by the Hon. Commodore Byron".
Eight pages, 8 1/4 by 11 inches, very nice condition.... See More
Very early tennis report...
Item #679939
April 14, 1767
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 14, 1767
* Very early tennis
The front page has: "A Further Account of the Patagonian Indians". Inside has a rare & very early tennis report: "Yesterday the great match at Tennis between Tomkyns and Maccon was determined in favour of the latter; many of the nobility were present, and considerable bets depending." Also a repo... See More
Dismissing an agent...
Item #679938
April 02, 1767
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 2, 1767 Inside has an "Extract of a Letter from Boston (New England)" concerning the dismissal of Mr. Jackson as an agent for the colony of Massachusetts, signed by the governor: Fra. Bernard.
Eight pages, 8 1/4 by 11 inches, nice condition.
Pensacola, Florida, is growing rapidly...
Item #679930
February 17, 1767
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 17, 1767
* Very early Pensacola, Florida
Page 2 has a report from Charleston, South Carolina, noting that: "They write from Pensacola, that the town continues to increase prodigiously..." with other news.
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, very nice condition.
The invasion and capture of Martinique, with the treaty...
Item #679926
March 23, 1762
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, March 23, 1762
* Invasion of Martin Martinique
* Seven Years' War - West Indies
Inside has four pages taken up with a fine & detailed account of the invasion of Martinique, part of the Seven Years' War. Included are the: "Articles of Capitulation of the Citadel of Fort Royal in the Island of Martinico, the 4th of February, 1762" with all 19... See More
Includes the plate of the Newbury Bridge...
Item #679913
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, May, 1793 * Original Chain Bridge (Massachusetts)
* Newburyport - Merrimack River
Eighteenth century American magazines are increasingly scarce in today's market. This title was published by the famed Isaiah Thomas, the patriot printer from the Revolutionary War & founder of the American Antiquarian Society.
One of the best aspects of... See More
First inauguration of George Washington...
Item #679892
July 16, 1789
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 16, 1789
* President George Washington
* First inauguration (historic)
Certainly one of the more desirable events to have in a period newspaper is the first inauguration of George Washington. American issues with such content are virtually unobtainable today, and reports in any newspapers worldwide are extremely uncommon.
Here is a nice report of t... See More
Persevering during non-importation...
Item #679854
August 02, 1770
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Aug. 2, 1770 Page 6 has a report headed: "America" from Charleston which begins: "There cannot be a more striking proof of the virtue & patriotism & the determined resolution of our merchants to persevere in the most strict observance of the non-importation agreement than...".
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, very nice, clean condit... See More
A slave uprising on board a slave ship...
Item #679848
August 20, 1772
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Aug. 20, 1772 The back page has a: "...Letter from on Board the Louisa, Capt. Laurence Hill, dated at James Town in Virginia" which begins: "We set sail from this place on the 2d of April bound to the Guinea coast for slaves..." when they came upon a boat crowded with men, very emaciated, rescued them, and inquired as to their situation. The... See More
Angry Boston freeholders... Destroy Fort Pitt...
Item #679813
December 19, 1772
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, Dec. 19, 1772 The second page has the follow-up petition from the Freeholders of Boston expressing once again their concern about the salaries of the judges of the Superior Court, as well as a request for a special meeting of the General Assembly to discuss this important and alarming matter.
A reply from the Governor says their reasons are insufficient and they have n... See More
Sam Adams is selected...
Item #679779
July 21, 1772
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 21, 1772
* Samuel Adams chosen for clerk
* House of Representatives
* Pre Revolutionary War era
Page 6 contains a report from a Boston letter concerning political events in that town, and which mentions "...the House then made choice of Mr. Samuel Adams for their clerk...". The article goes on to report other political happenings, taking ... See More
On Captain Cook's second voyage to the South Seas...
Item #679777
July 14, 1772
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, July 14, 1772
* Second voyage of James Cook
A one paragraph report on the second page mentions: "We are assured that Capt. Cooke...with some other learned Gentlemen, have actually set sail in order to make new discoveries in the South Seas..." with a bit more.
This was his second trip, the purpose of the mission was to determine if a continent extended... See More
Skeleton from the Black Assize of Oxford 1577...
Item #679741
March 23, 1767
THE GLOCESTER JOURNAL [Gloucester], England, March 23, 1767 Page 3 has an interesting item: "Last week the skeleton of a man in setters, with one jaw and some of the large bones perfect, was dug up in removing some ground in our Castle Green, eastward of the ruins of the old County Hall, memorable as the place wherein was held the fatal black assize, in the year 1577... upwards of 500 o... See More
John Wilkes, a supporter of the American cause...
Item #679721
August 29, 1768
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, Massachusetts, Aug. 29, 1768
* John Wilkes - radical
* Pre Revolutionary War
The first half of the newspaper is taken up with the continuation of the "Narrative of the Hon. Commodore Byron" on his expedition around the world in the 1740's.
Near the back are reports from London noting in part: "...that most of the readers of our paper are such ... See More
Death of the Queen's occultist, an itinerant quack...
Item #679719
May 26, 1715
THE POST BOY, London, May 26, 1715
* Rare & early 18th century issue
* Nice masthead engravings
A handsome issue with the two nice, detailed engravings in the masthead. The back page has a brief item: "The same day, Sir William Read, his Majesty's Ocultist in Chief, died at Rochester; he was the most expert of all those of his profession." Wikisource calls Willi... See More
News from New York.. .Jonathan Swift...
Item #679709
March 03, 1768
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, March 3, 1768
* News from New York
* Red tax stamp (partial)
* Letters from Jonathan Swift
The front page has: "America", which includes news from New York. Inside has "Letters Written by the late Jonathan Swift" which include the text of one of his recently published letters from 1735.
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches, very nice... See More
Bookselling & newspaper publishing in America...
Item #679580
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1796 Included is a very interesting article titled: "Present State of Printing and Bookselling in America" which is great for our hobby as there is talk of newspaper printing as well, including; "...people of North America manufacture their own paper...The newspapers of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Mary... See More
Cottingham Village and Church (1797)...
Item #679578
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1797 A generic issue with no content with writing about. Includes both plates called for, including one showing the Cottingham Church and family monuments. A corresponding article provides considerable details regarding this ancient country village.Complete in 88 pages, full title/contents page with an engraving of St. John's Gate, 5 by 8 inc... See More
Oliver Cromwell print... Thanks for Horatio Nelson...
Item #679573
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1799 Among the two plates called for is one with a nice print of Oliver Cromwell as well as a view of Cockermouth Castle (see) with related text for both. Near the back is a letter from Horatio Nelson answering the vote of thanks of the British House of Commons for his victory in the Battle of the Nile, signed: Nelson.Complete in 96 pages, full titl... See More
Six letters signed by President John Adams...
Item #679570
May 26, 1798
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 26, 1798
* President John Adams
A nice issue for display as the front page contains not just one but six letters, each signed in type by the president: JOHN ADAMS. There are two more letters signed by Adams on page 2.
These letters are in response to letters sent to him by people or groups in Lancaster & Harrisburg, Penna., and also Burlington &... See More
Blacks to have rights of citizenship in New York ? Washington to move to England?
Item #679259
July 23, 1785
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 23, 1785
* General George Washington to move his residence to England (?)
* Blacks to have citizenship rights in New York (?)
Page 2 has a report from New York with some news from the Assembly of the state which includes: "...very warm debates also have taken place upon the question of admitting Blacks, Mulattoes, Mustees, Quadroons...the the r... See More
Launch of the U.S. brig President Adams...
Item #679233
August 07, 1799
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Aug. 7, 1799 Most of the ftpg. is taken up with: "Robespierre--The Detested", the famous name from the French Revolution.
A page 2 item from Pittsburgh has: "A new brig, the property of the United States, called President Adams, was launched on Rouge River, six miles from Detroit...She carries 18 guns & is remarkably ha... See More
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