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.
Dr. Joseph Priestley... France eliminates knighthood...
Item #686807
September 28, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 28, 1791 A page 3 report says: "A subscription was opened in London, before Capt. Scott sailed, for the purpose of building a large and elegant Chapel for the Rev. Dr. Priestley." Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery of oxygen.
There is much concerning the French Revolution including a page 2 item: "National Assembly - Abolition Of... See More
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette escape...
Item #686798
August 31, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 31, 1791
* Louis XVI of France
* Marie Antoinette
* Escapes France
The front page is entirely taken up with the situation of King Louis XVI in France including: "The French King's Memoir" which begins: "Freemen - While the King had any hope of seeing order & happiness restored, by the means employed by the National Assembly &a... See More
Treatment of Indians... Louis XVI on the colors of the flags...
Item #686786
May 14, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 14, 1791 Over half of the front page is taken up with: "Commonn Sense -- In Answer to Burke's Phillipick" which relates to Thomas Paine's work, plus much concerning he French Revolution and several references to the Maquis de LaFayette.
Page 2 has "A Law" from France, signed by the King: Louis, concerning a Decree of the Nati... See More
Vermont to ratify the Constitution...
Item #686777
December 01, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 1, 1790
* United States Constitution
* Vermont for ratification
On page 2 under "Vermont" is a notable report reading in full: "The Legislature of this State, has called a Convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States--to meet at Bennington, in the next month. The terms of the decree of the State of New York, with this State... See More
Vermont to debate & hopefully ratify the Constitution...
Item #686775
November 17, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 17, 1790 The front page has an article headed: "Religious Toleration" & another: "Beware of Counterfeits".
Page 3 has an item from "Vermont" noting: "The legislature of that state has passed an Act for calling a State Convention to meet at Bennington...for the purpose of assenting to, and ratifying the Constitution of t... See More
Exploring interior Africa in the 1700's...
Item #686771
November 06, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 6, 1790
* 18th century Africa description
Page 2 article: "Interiour Africa" offers nice particulars about the continent particularly the region from the Niger River to the coast of Guinea with talk about camels, the large rivers, Pagans and Mahometans, articles of export like gold-dust, goat-skins, and a species of nut called "gooroo&qu... See More
Early report on boxing...
Item #686767
October 30, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 30, 1790
* 18th century bareknuckle boxing
Page 2 has an article: "Boxing" which is a very early report of the sport. The match is between "Big Ben" and the "Tinman".
Other items including a page 3 article on: "Duelling" "King of France's Demand" "the Art of Joking" "King of Sweden" a... See More
Traveling with Captain Cook...
Item #686764
October 23, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 23, 1790 The front page has over a column on: "Mr. John Ledyard, the Celebrated Traveller" which includes comments on his trip with Capt. Cook to Hawaii, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tahiti and elsewhere.
Page 2 has a report concerning the circumnavigation of the ship Columbia.
Four pages, some foxing inside, nice condition.
Ben Franklin's famous kite experiment...
Item #686746
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1752* Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment described
Inside has a terrific account of a legendary event in history--the famous kite experiment conducted by Benjamin Franklin. Note there is even mention of Franklin's name on the title page.
The article, datelined "Philadelphia, Oct. 19, 1752", begins by mentioning the r... See More
Speech signed by John Hancock... Vermont joins the Union...
Item #686732
January 29, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 29, 1791 Over half of page 2 and a bit of page 3 are taken up with the "Speech" of the governor of Massachusetts which is signed in type: JOHN HANCOCK. It is rare to find newspapers with documents signed by Hancock.
Page 3 has a report noting: "This day the Hon. Aaron Burr was elected a Senator of the United States in the room of the Hon... See More
Washington to arrive for his inauguration... The new federal government begins their work...
Item #686717
April 06, 1789
PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, April 6, 1789 On this very day the votes for President were counted in the Senate, the result showing Washington was elected (not reported here).
Page 2 item from Boston notes that many men elected as federal representatives have declined the honor due to "private affairs". Also: "A Proclamation" for a day of fasting & prayer, signe... See More
John Jay and his 'Jay Treaty'...
Item #686714
April 16, 1795
FEDERAL ORRERY, Boston, April 16, 1795
* 18th century America
* re. John Jay Treaty
The masthead has an engraving of the sun surrounded by stars. Page 3 has: "Mr. Jay" which begins: "...that distinguished patriot, federalist, and statesman, will doubtless be appointed governor of the state of New York...The Treaty which he has effected is reported to be highly favorable... See More
On the fleeing of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette... War Dept. pensions...
Item #686713
September 01, 1791
DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Sept. 1, 1791
* Louis XVI of France
* Marie Antoinette
* Escaping France
Page 2 has a lengthy report concerning Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, including: "...powerfully excited by the flight, capture and imprisonment of the ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE. A King and Queen fleeing from their throne and seeking an asylum in a foreign land ... See More
Washington Act of Congress on the front page... President's image not to be on the coins...
Item #686711
April 07, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 7, 1792 Near half of the front page is taken up with an: "Act to Provide for the Settlement of the Claims of Widows and Orphans barred by the Limitations heretofore Established & to Regulate the Claims to Invalid Pensions" which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by John Adams and Th. Jefferson.
Page 2... See More
George Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #686710
November 14, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1792
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Taking over half of the front page and concluding on page two where it is signed in script type: G. Washington, is President George Washington's "Speech to Both Houses of Congress".
This was his annual state-of-the-union address, a tradition which he initiated in 1790 a... See More
"We will not change the laws of England"...
Item #686706
June 17, 1793
THE TRUE BRITON, London, June 17, 1793 A quite uncommon title from the late 18th century, I believe only the 2nd we have offered. The motto in the masthead is in Latin but translates to: "We Will Not Change the Laws of England."
News of the day & a wealth of ads & notices, four pages, lightly inked red tax stamp on the front page, discrete archival mend to the back page, nice co... See More
Constitutional Convention begins & Washington is elected its President: a day after report...
Item #686699
May 26, 1787
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787
* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president
An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention--terrific to have in a newspaper from the city where these notable proceedings were held.
As such, this is likely the ... See More
England discusses the issue of independence for America... War accounts...
Item #686694
May 12, 1780
THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, May 12, 1780
* American Revolutionary War era newspaper
* Independence for America ?
Pages 2 and 3 have much discussion in the House of Commons concerning the Revolutionary War. A few bits include: "...introduced his motion for a reconciliation between Great Britain & her colonies. Peace, he said, was a desirable object to every man...The p... See More
Sam Adams... Terrific masthead...
Item #686688
February 22, 1796
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Feb. 22, 1796
* Nice masthead engraving
* 18th century America
Most of the front page is taken up with three Act of the Massachusetts legislature, each signed in type by the governor: Samuel Adams.
One of the more decorative & displayable mastheads of the 18th century.
Four pages, great condition.... See More
Two Acts of Congress signed by Adams & Jefferson...
Item #686687
March 21, 1798
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, March 21, 1798
* President John Adams
* VP Thomas Jefferson
Over half of page 2 is taken up with two Acts of Congress, one: "Providing Means for Intercourse Between the United States & Foreign Nations", each signed in type by the President: John Adams, and the Vice President: Th. Jefferson.
Four pages, a... See More
On the Roberts & Carlisle treason... Discussion on the American war...
Item #686561
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1779* Abraham Carlisle & John Roberts
* Treason trials - Revolutionary War
The first article: "Summary of Proceedings in the Present Parliament" takes ten pages and includes much talk of the on-going Revolutionary War, bits including: "...He enumerated a black catalogue of crimes committed by the leaders of the American rebe... See More
News of Cornwallis' surrender... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Groton Heights...
Item #686426
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781* Revolutionary War
* Cornwallis' surrender
* Gen. Benedict Arnold
* Battle of Groton Heights
Near the back is a section headed: "American News" which has a "Copy of a Letter from Brig. Gen. Arnold to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, dated Sound off Plumb Island, Sept. 8, 1781" which takes over an entire pa... See More
Tiny German newspaper from 1752...
Item #686271
January 03, 1752
GELEHRTE NACHRICHTEN vom Jahre, 1752 A small German newspaper which translates: "Scholarly Messages from the year 1752". This newspaper is complete in 8 pages, 4 by 6 1/2 inches, great condition.
A 1733 newspaper from Germany...
Item #686270
January 04, 1733
NEUE ZEITUNGEN von GELCHRTEN SACHEN, Leipzig, Germany, 1733 A very early and tiny newspaper from this largest city in the German province of Saxony. The title roughly translates: "News From Learned Things". At this time George Washington was just one year old.
Eight pages, 4 by 6 1/2 inches, a few period notations at margins, great condition.
A 1733 newspaper from Germany...
Item #686269
January 03, 1733
NEUE ZEITUNGEN von GELCHRTEN SACHEN, Leipzig, Germany, 1733
* Rare miniature curiosity
A very early and tiny newspaper from this largest city in the German province of Saxony. The title roughly translates: "News From Learned Things". At this time George Washington was just one year old.
Eight pages, 4 by 6 1/2 inches, a few period notations at margins, great condition.... See More
Very displayable masthead...
Item #686253
April 09, 1720
WEEKLY JOURNAL OR SATURDAY'S POST, London, April 9, 1720
* Great masthead engraving
* Early 18th century original
The most significant feature of this issue is the very ornate & displayable engraving in the masthead, which also contains the extension to the title: "...With Freshest Advices Foreign and Domestick."
Various European news reports with the back leaf mostly fil... See More
John Adams signs an Act of Congress... Brown University...
Item #686177
September 14, 1799
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 14, 1799
* President John Adams
* Act of Congress
* Brown University
On the front page under Laws of the United States is an Act of Congress signed in script type: John Adams. Also under Rhode Island Commencement (now Brown University) is a list of the exercises that occurred at the recent commencement.
Other news of the day includes
... See More
* President John Adams
* Act of Congress
* Brown University
On the front page under Laws of the United States is an Act of Congress signed in script type: John Adams. Also under Rhode Island Commencement (now Brown University) is a list of the exercises that occurred at the recent commencement.
Other news of the day includes
An Act for collecting duties...
Item #686168
August 26, 1799
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 26, 1799 Various news of the day from both America and Europe. Most of the back page is taken up with a portion of a lengthy (and continued): "An Act to Regulate the Collection of Duties on Imports & Tonnage" headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, minor archival mend to the back page, nice condit... See More
Act of Congress signed by President John Adams...
Item #686166
September 30, 1799
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Sept. 30, 1799 Close to half of the front page & some of page 2 are taken up with an Act of Congress signed in type by the President: John Adams.
Four pages, nice condition.
Two documents signed by Alexander Hamilton...
Item #686162
November 28, 1791
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Nov. 28, 1791 Mot of the front page is taken up with the French Revolution with a lengthy letter signed: Louis.
Most of page 3 is taken up with reports from Congress, including a brief note to the House concerning expenses for the year signed by the Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton. This is followed by another letter signed: Alexander Hamilton with a ch... See More
Alexander Hamilton is named a fellow...
Item #686161
November 29, 1791
THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, Nov. 29, 1791 The top of the front page has a report from the: "American Academy of Arts & Sciences" noting its recently elected Fellows, including: "Hon. Alexander Hamilton, Esq. Secretary of the Treasury of the U.S."
Page 2 has most of a column headed: "Reflections on the Present Situation of the Distilleries of the United Sta... See More
Signed in script type by President George Washington...
Item #686160
May 19, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 19, 1792
* President George Washington
* Act of Congress signed in type
The entire front page and a part of page 2 are taken up with: "An ACT for Raising a farther sum of Money for the Protection of the Frontiers, & for other Purposes Therein Mentioned" which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington, and in block type by T... See More
Rules by the President... John Jay...
Item #686157
August 17, 1793
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, Aug. 17, 1793 Over half of the front page is the conclusion of: "Chief Justice Jay's opinion on the question, 'Whether a State be liable to be sued by a Private Citizen of another State?' "
Page 2 has a "Circular to the Collectors of the Customers" of the ports of the United States, from the Secretary of the Treasur... See More
George Washington signs an Act of Congress...
Item #686156
April 15, 1795
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, April 15, 1795 Half of the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress titled: "An Act...to provide more effectually for the collection of the duties in goods, wares and merchandize imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels." which is signed in script type by the President: Go. Washington on the following page.
This
... See More
This
Significant Act of Congress in response to the Whiskey Rebellion...
Item #686153
July 09, 1794
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, HARTFORD, June 23, 1794 Half of page 2 is taken up with an Act of Congress: "An ACT Making Further Provision for Securing and Collecting the Duties on foreign and Domestic Distilled Spirits, Stills, Wines and Teas." At its conclusion it is signed in type by the President; Go. Washington,
This Act of Congress was notable to the troubling Whiskey Rebellion i... See More
John Adams visits Newark... Paul Revere...
Item #686140
August 05, 1797
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 5, 1797 The front page has 1 1/2 column taken up with two Acts of Congress, each signed in script type by the President: John Adams.
Page 2 has an address from the people of Newark, New Jersey, to the President concerning his recent visit, followed by his kind response, signed: John Adams.
Page 3 is filled with ads, including one headed: "Boston Bell &... See More
Four script signatures of George Washington...
Item #686139
May 06, 1797
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, May 6, 1797
* President George Washington
* (4) acts signed in script
On the front page under "Laws of the United States" are four "Acts", each signed in script type: George Washington. The acts take all of the third and fourth columns, and all of the script signatures appear in the last column.
Also on the front page under Commonwealth of Massachuse... See More
Act of Congress signed by Adams & Jefferson...
Item #686137
November 09, 1797
CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Nov. 9, 1797 The entire front page and a good portion of page 3 are taken up with: "AN ACT Laying Duties on Stamped Vellum, Parchment and Paper" which is signed in type at its conclusion by John Adams, President, and Thomas Jefferson, Vice President.
Four pages, a very handsome issue as it was never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, slight ... See More
Detailed Treasury report... Discussing the state of the country...
Item #686134
May 22, 1798
THE FARMER'S WEEKLY MUSEUM: NEW HAMPSHIRE & VERMONT JOURNAL, Walpole, May 22, 1798
* 18th century American publication
The front page has 1 1/2 columns taken up with a: "Treasury Department" report signed: Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury.
Page 2 has much reporting on: "Proceedings of the Federal Congress" concerning the state of the Union, & p... See More
Wolcott and Pickering... The Quasi War with France...
Item #686133
May 15, 1798
THE FARMER'S WEEKLY MUSEUM; NEW HAMPSHIRE & VERMONT JOURNAL, Walpole, May 15, 1798 The front page has a lengthy "Treasury Department" notice signed: Oliver Wolcott, followed by another shorter one.
Inside has a lengthy document signed: Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State, relating to the Quasi War with France, an undeclared war which lasted from 1798-1800.
Four pages, v... See More
Treasury report and documents signed by President John Adams...
Item #686132
April 24, 1798
THE FARMER'S WEEKLY MUSEUM: NEW HAMPSHIRE & VERMONT JOURNAL, Walpole, April 24, 1798
* Oliver Wolcott Jr. - U.S. Treasury
* President John Adams letters signed
The front page has 1 1/2 columns taken up with a report headed: "Treasury Department" signed in type: Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury. Page 2 has "Important Communications" which includes 3... See More
Treasury notice... The situation with France...
Item #686131
May 01, 1798
FARMER'S WEEKLY MUSEUM: NEW HAMPSHIRE AND VERMONT JOURNAL, Walpole, May 1, 1798 The front page has 1 1/2 columns taken up with: "Treasury Department, Public Notice is Hereby Given..." signed by: Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury. Much of the front page & most of pages 2 & 3 are taken up with: "Dispatches from the Envoys to France" which rel... See More
Includes a document signed by Buonaparte...
Item #686129
June 08, 1799
THE SPECTATOR, New York, June 8, 1799 The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are taken up with a portion of the very lengthy Act of Congress on regulating duties on imports, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle.
Page 2 has a "Five Dollars Reward" ad for a runaway negro man, as well as reports on the Napoleonic War including a document signed: Buonaparte.
Four pages, ... See More
The Constellation captures the L'Insurgente in the Quasi War......
Item #686127
June 03, 1799
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 3, 1799
* USS Constellation 1st victory
* Captain Thomas Truxton
* French frigate L'Insurgente
Page 3 has a note: "The following is a correct list of the captures made by the Constellation frigate during her last cruize..." which includes the L'Insurgent among others, with a bit more. Also a brief note: "The Constellatio... See More
Regulating the tariffs...
Item #686125
July 15, 1799
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, July 15, 1799 Two columns on the front page are taken up with "An Act to regulate the Collection of Duties on Imports & Tonnage" continued in a future issue. It is headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle.
The back page has over a full column report from the "War Department" seeking bids to supply rations to the mentioned mi... See More
Proclamation signed in script by John Adams...
Item #686122
July 06, 1799
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 6, 1799
* President John Adams
* Act of United States Congress
* Commerce w/ San Domingo
Most of the front page is taken up with the continuation of an: "Act to regulate the Collection of duties on imports...". Page 2 has: "By the President of the United States of America, A Proclamation" concerning the suspension of trade with Fra... See More
The historic Funding Act of 1790...
Item #686121
August 16, 1790
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 16, 1790
* Funding Act of 1790
Taking two-thirds of the front page and half of page 2 is: "An Act making Provision for the Debt of the United States" which is signed in type by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
This was the very historic Funding Act of 1790 which was passed on August 4, 1790 by the United States Congress t... See More
Regulating the tariffs...
Item #686120
July 15, 1799
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, July 15, 1799 Two columns on the front page are taken up with "An Act to regulate the Collection of Duties on Imports & Tonnage" continued in a future issue. It is headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle.
The back page has over a full column report from the "War Department" seeking bids to supply rations to the mentioned mi... See More
Hamilton & Knox to be on Washington's Cabinet... Setting federal salaries...
Item #686116
September 19, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 19, 1789 The front page has an interesting article which could be appropriate today: "Propositions for Reforming the Present System of Publick Education in Boston".
Page 2 begins with reports from the House of Representatives concerning discussions on setting the salaries for House & Senate members.
Page 3 has: "THE PRESIDENT has... See More
Two George Washington script signatures...
Item #686115
October 10, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 10, 1789
* (2) President George Washington acts
* First year of his administration
Most of the first column of page 2 contains not one but two of the very desirable Acts of Congress each signed in script type by President George Washington and in block type by Vice President John Adams. This title was one of just a few to use the "script&... See More
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Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
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Phone: 1-570-326-1045
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P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
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Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
