Historic Newspapers: Abraham Lincoln

THE DAILY CITIZEN, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2, 1863  

* Most sought Confederate newspaper to be had ?

A fascinating newspaper and arguably the most famous of any newspaper printed on Confederate soil, not just for being printed on the back of wallpaper (some others were as well) but because of the circumstances which surrounded the creation of this issue.
The story of this newspaper is intriguing, well-known to serious collectors. However, this is an issue printed before Yankee troops…

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 15th---9 A. M.  

* Terrific Abraham Lincoln assassination broadside
* First edition just after the announcement of death

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were…

EVENING STAR, Washington, D.C., April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* It is BEST to have reports from the city where it occurred

Terrific to have this first report of Lincoln's assassination in a newspaper from the city where it happened. This is the first of this issue we have offered.
The top of the front page has a column with heads: "ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT" "Attempted Murder Of Secretary Seward And Sons". The report begins: "Last evening…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

This issue would rank among the most famous of all Lincoln assassination newspapers, as almost all issues found on the market today are one of the many reprint editions that have turned up for decades.
This is the genuine issue. And better yet it is the "3:00 a.m. Special Edition" as identified by the Library of Congress:
3:00 a.m. Special edition. 8 pages. The…

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Feb. 28, 1860 

* Historic Abraham Lincoln address
* Cooper Institute Union speech
* Launched into national prominence 

The front page has over five columns devoted to coverage of this famous speech which is headed: "NATIONAL POLITICS" "A Speech Delivered at the Cooper Institute Last Evening, by Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois".
At this point Lincoln had not declared himself a presidential candidate, and this was his first opportunity to establish his platform before an…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, July 7, 1863  

* Fantastic Battle of Gettysburg Coverage
* Rare Confederate title from rebel capital

The front page has various war items including: "The Army of the Pamunkey--The Attack on the South Anna Bridge". There is also a great front page letter datelined "Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1863" which is prefaced with: "..manifesting the spirit that inspires the bold, intelligent youths who make up the bulk of the Confederate army." and the…

THE DAILY REBEL, Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 18, 1863

* Very rare Confederate publication
* Second Battle of Winchester, Virginia

An extremely rare broadside newspaper and a great title for a Confederate newspaper.
This is the vol. 1 number 270 issue of a title that began August 1, 1862. This issue is dated from just prior to the Confederate invasion of the North and the Battle of Gettysburg.
This is a folio size newspaper having 4 pages, however, as we have seen in a few other…

THE FIRST MINNESOTA, Berryville, Virginia, March 11, 1862

* First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment 
* Extremely rare Berryville, Virginia camp publication

 A fascinating & very rare newspaper published under circumstances very similar to what would happen with the Daily Citizen of Vicksburg in early July, 1863.
The following is credited to Tim Russo, who did much research on this newspaper:
As I research my screenplay for a film about the charge at Gettysburg of the First…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Richmond, Virginia, July 6, 1863 

* Historic Battle of Gettysburg
* From the Confederate perspective

Not only is this a nice newspaper from the Confederacy, but it is from the Confederate capital.
Although the front page has much reporting on the Civil War, certainly the most significant content in this issue is the rather lengthy & detailed reporting on the first two days of the Battle of Gettysburg found on the back page.
The reports are headed: "Latest…

THE EVENING BULLETIN, Providence, Rhode Island, Nov. 20, 1863  

* Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address"
* Historic American Civil War speech  
* Edward Everett's "keynote" on battlefield 

At the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg Edward Everett was the featured speaker, and all of pages 4, 5 & a portion of page 6 are taken up with his very lengthy speech.
Lincoln's talk was not the focus of the ceremony, but history would prove his speech would be perhaps the most famous by any…

THE WORLD, New York, April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

The top of the first column of the front page reports one of the most historic & tragic events of the 19th century: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
The headlines include: "ASSASSINATION of PRESIDENT LINCOLN and SECRETARY SEWARD" "Mr. Lincoln Shot in Ford's Theater" "Boldness of the Assassin" "He Jumps on the State and Escapes Unmolested" "J. Wilkes Booth…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 1862  

* Emancipation Proclamation
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Freedom for enslaved - slaves
* Best publication to be had (very rare)

Page 2 begins with the Emancipation Proclamation, from the city where it was issued.
The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation that changed the federal legal status of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the designated areas of the South from slave to free. As…

WASHINGTON WEEKLY CHRONICLE, D.C., April 22, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
* From our nation's capital

Truly a terrific issue, for being a weekly newspaper this was the first report of this event in this title, and better yet it is from the city where the assassination happened. A notable--and very uncommon--graphic on the front page is the black-bordered cameo print of Abraham Lincoln, with all columns on all 8 pages…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER, New York, Dec. 5, 1863  The front page shows: "The War In Tennessee--Lookout Mountain & its Vicinity..." plus other war-related illustrations within, including scenes of Brownsville & Matamoras, Texas and more.
The great, tipped-in (preferred) doublepage centerfold is captioned: "The Consecration of the Great National Cemetery Near Gettysburg, Nov. 19 by Abraham Lincoln...". As an appropriate complement to this centerfold is text on the events at: "The…

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, September 27, 1862 

* Emancipation Proclamation
* President Abraham Lincoln

Page 2 contains the full texts of the Emancipation Proclamation, perhaps the most significant Presidential pronouncement of the entire Civil War wherein Lincoln declared all slaves free.
Headed: "A Proclamation By the President of the United States" the document begins at the bottom half of the first column and takes the top half of the second column and is signed in type by the…

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Nov. 28, 1863  

* President Abraham Lincoln's famous speech
* Gettysburg Address at battlefield cemetery

Page 3 contains a report headed: "The Gettysburg Ceremonies" "Description of the Battle-Field and Consecration Exercises" as well as one of the most memorable speeches ever given by a President.
The article takes nearly two columns and contains much reporting on the ceremonies in Gettysburg, less than 5 months after the pivotal battle fought there. Included…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 6, 1863  

* Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
* Most historic battle of the Civil War
* Great reporting - Among the best to be had

A terrific issue reporting the result of the very historic Battle of Gettysburg, with nearly two-thirds of the front page's first column taken up with related heads, atop of which is a nice patriotic emblem.
They include: "THE GREAT VICTORY" "The Rebel Army Totally Defeated" "Its Remains Driven Into the Mountains" "It is There…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 26, 1860  This issue has become one of the most desired pre-Civil War issues of this famous illustrated newspaper, as it did much to propel Abraham Lincoln to national prominence and is one of relatively few published portraits of Lincoln without his beard.
This issue announces, in a very dramatic way, the selection of Lincoln as the Republican candidate for President of the United States with the large front page portrait of him. A somewhat unknown in national…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1863 

* President Abraham Lincoln 
* Emancipation Proclamation 
* Spiteful editorial by Democrats

A terrific issue, as the front page contains a printing of Lincoln's famous Emancipation Proclamation by which he freed the slaves in the slave-holding states, signed by him in type: Abraham Lincoln.
But the notable content is not the document but the terrific editorial which precedes it.
This being a pro-South newspaper, despite being printed in the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 29, 1865

* The same issue (title and date) found in the time capsule under the (former) statue of Robert E. Lee on Dec. 28, 2021

The front page has a large and dramatic illustration of "J. Wilkes Booth" plus a lengthy article headed: 'The Murder Of The President' making this a nice display issue.
Inside articles are headed: "Abraham Lincoln" "President Johnson" "Mr. Seward" "Great Pan Is Dead" and "The Folly of Crime". A small illustration captioned: "Plan of the…

DAILY MILWAUKEE NEWS, Wisconsin, March 5, 1865 

* President Abraham Lincoln
* Inauguration - inaugural Address

The front page begins with nice column heads including: "Inaugural Message Of President Lincoln!" "The Heavens Wept Profusely & the Streets of Washington Deluged in Mud!" "Latest From Sherman!" & much more on the closing events of the Civil War.
After the column heads is: "The Inauguration" dated March 4 & which begins: "President Lincoln was inaugurated at 12 o'clock noon…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, July 17, 1863  

* Battle of Gettysburg
* Eyewitness account

Not only is this a nice newspaper from the Confederacy, but it is from the Confederate capital.
The front page has various war-related content, including items headed: "The News" and a lengthier report: "Spies In The South" and other related items, but certainly the prime front page content is the report headed: "The Invasion of Pennsylvania--The Battle Of Gettysburg--The Retreat To…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 6, 1865  This issue remains one of the most desired of the Civil War era, if not the 19th century, as much of it deals with the assassination and funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.
The entire front page is a print captioned: "President Lincoln At Home" showing him reading a book to his son. This very image was made into a postage stamp by the United States Post Office.
An inside page has a dramatic full page print captioned: "Scene at the Death Bed of President…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Nov. 10, 1860  This is a terrific issue for display as the entire front page is taken up with a nice Winslow Homer illustration of Abraham Lincoln, beardless (see), captioned: Hon. Abraham Lincoln, Born in Kentucky, February 12, 1809."  Certainly one of the more desirable issues from the Lincoln era, from before he became president.
Other  good content as well with the doublepage centerfold containing a print captioned: "Reading the Returns of the Presidential…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, July 11, 1863  

* Battle of Gettysburg
* Rebel account

The front page includes: "Charleston" "Yankee Agents In England" "The Courts" "City Intelligence" "Prisoners" "Sale of Negroes in Georgia" with a list of names, ages and prices--fascinating; "Another Attack On Charleston" "Our Army in the North" and other items.
But the prime content on the front page would be two reports, one headed: "From General Lee's Army" which has reports on his army's…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1862  

* Emancipation Proclamation
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Rare pro-Confederate publication

Given the focus of this controversial newspaper, being supportive of the Southern cause while publishing in the North, it is particularly noteworthy that this issue contains on page five the Emancipation Proclamation whereby President Lincoln would free the slaves on January 1 of the coming year.
The introductory subheads would be of no surprise as…

SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, June 20, 1863 

* Rebel General P.G.T. Beauregard
* Very rare Confederate publication

A very rare publication from the Confederacy which seldom comes to the collector market. Although much of the content was literary in nature, there are news reports and a few illustrations.
The front page is entirely taken up with a large portrait of: "Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard" with a nice biography of him found on page 4.
Also on page 4 is a report headed "The…

CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, April 20, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* From the origin of the American Civil War (rare)

 Keep in mind that Charleston fell to Union forces on February 18 and after that date was in Union control. So this is the volume 1, number 47 issue in the "new series" as noted.
Availability of paper must still have been a concern, for as can be seen in the photos the dimensions of the paper are larger than the print area,…

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 Stephen Douglas.
Taking over a full column on page 6 is a fine report on the last of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, this one at Alton, Illinois. 
A few excerpts from the report…

NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER, New Jersey, April 3, 1865

* Fall of Richmond, Virginia (early report)
* The end of the Civil War is imminent ?
* Abraham Lincoln assassination nears

 This is a stand-alone "Extra" edition with a same-day report of the capital of the Confederacy.
The front page has column heads: "EXTRA" "VICTORY ! " "Richmond Captured This Morning" "City Reported On Fire" 'Enthusiastic Reception of Our Troops" "Petersburg Evacuated by the Enemy" "Gen. Grant Moving for the…

CLEVELAND MORNING LEADER, Ohio, March 6, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln's inauguration
* Inaugural address on the ftpg.
* Closing weeks of the Civil War

The front page has a stack of column heads on both Lincoln's second inauguration as President, as well as the latest reports on the Civil War's final weeks.
They include: "Inauguration Day" "President Lincoln's Address" "Celebrations of the Day Thro' out the Country" "Official War Bulletin" "Sheridan Captures Early!" "News From Rebel…

Here is a unique opportunity for a pair of issues--one Yankee and the other Confederate--of the identical date of July 22, 1861 both reporting on the First Battle of Bull Run, one from the New York Tribune and the other from the Confederate capital of Richmond, titled the Daily Dispatch, providing a perspective of how the news was reported with all the "spin" & biases that were rampant on both sides of the border. As you see, both sides claimed victory:

TRIBUNE:  The top of page 5 begins…

THE LITCHFIELD ENQUIRER, Connecticut, Nov. 8, 1860

* Abraham Lincoln elected president
* America about to change

Page 2 begins with one of the nicest stack of column heads on Lincoln's first election we have seen. They included: "VICTORY ! VICTORY !! " "Great Republican Victory!" " 'Old Abe' the Next President!!" "Secession And Fusion Simmered Down!" "Disunion and Dry Goods Below Par!" "Douglas Doomed!" "The North West Swept by the Whirlwind!" "The Union Safe!!" "The Final Triumph of…

NEW YORK HERALD, April 21, 1865 

* Rare 1st-page mentions of Synagogue services
* Re: Abraham Lincoln's assassination & funeral
* Black mourning borders on all eight pages

Perhaps the most noteworthy coverage is the front-page details regarding various services being held at local synagogues - which includes the congregations at "B'nai Israel," "Bikur Cholim U-Kadisha Synagogue," and "Shaari [Shaare] Zedek" with each synagogue draped in mourning black.
It is quite unusual to find…

THE JOURNAL & COURIER, Little Falls, New York, April 20, 1865 

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

Being a weekly newspaper this issue has the first report of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. All columns on all pages have wide, black mourning rules.
The front page has: "The Great Calamity" which is an essay on Lincoln. Also on the front page: "The Nation's Grief" which is a sermon on Lincoln.
Page 2 has over 1 1/2 columns taken up…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, April 29, 1865 

* Famous Abraham Lincoln assassination issue
* Much more uncommon than the Harper's Weekly

 This issue remains one of the most desired for this historic, tragic event, as it is one of the only newspapers which included a front page graphic showing the actual assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Over half of the front page is taken up with a very dramatic print captioned: "Assassination of President Lincoln in His Private Box at Ford's…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 14, 1863 

* Actor John Wilkes Booth
* Ford's Theatre performance
* Rare appearance w/ advertisement
* President Abraham Lincoln's assassin

A terrific issue with one of the more ironic twists of history, and only to be found in a newspaper from Washington, D.C.
The front page has an advertisement headed: "FORD'S NEW THEATRE" which begins: "The last appearance of the distinguished young actor, M. J. Wilkes Booth is announced for this…

NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 9, 1864  

* Abraham Lincoln elected president (2nd term)
* 1st report plus Civil War reporting

This issue has a great front page, as it is taken up, in its entirety, with the election results for the presidency. Among the great first column heads are: "VICTORY ! " "Glorious Result Yesterday" "Election of Lincoln and Johnson" "Terrible Defeat of McClellan" "The Union Triumphant" "New York for Lincoln and Fenton" "Heavy Union Gains" "The Vote of the City" and more.
…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, March 9, 1861 

* Perhaps the best graphic Lincoln newspaper to be had...

The front page has text on: "Our Portrait of the President" which relates to the terrific double page centerfold captioned: "Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, President elect of the United States of America, With Scenes & Incidents in His Life."
The large central portrait shows Lincoln beardless, and surrounding it are 18 smaller prints of Lincoln's earlier life.
This large print…

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, May 15, 1860  

* Abraham Lincoln gaining recognition 
* At the Chicago Republican Convention 

This issue is one of those so desired by collectors, when innocent reports--often inconspicuous amongst the jumble of lengthier articles--wold only find relevance in the passing of years.
Keep in mind that at this point, the Republican National Convention in Chicago had yet to formally begin (May 16-18) and Abraham Lincoln was pretty much an unknown in the world…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, March 8, 1865 

* Abraham Lincoln's inauguration
* Inaugural address on the ftpg.
* Closing weeks of the Civil War - pro-Confederate title

Among the front page reports is: "Inauguration of President Lincoln--His Address" which contains his address in full, ending with the immortal words: "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right...".
Page 4 has an editorial headed: "Lincoln's Inaugural",…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1863  The full front front page is an illustration of "Santa Claus in Camp", this being the very first representation of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast in this publication. Inside the doublepage centerfold has two large illustrations of "Christmas Eve, 1862.", by Thomas Nast.
A full page illustration has two 1/2 pg. prints of: "The Attack on the Rebel Works at Fredericksburg by the Centre Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, on December 13, 1862" and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, February 16, 1861 through March 23, 1861. This is a six-issue set (part 3) of Harper's Weekly containing the Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" in serialization format. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.

The individual issues are described as:

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Feb. 16, 1861 Full ftpg. is an extremely decorative celebration of 'St. Valentine's Day' with 6 scenes & ornate embellishments. Fullpg: 'A ten-inch Mounted as a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 18, 1865  The entire front page is taken up with a very nice engraving captioned: "President Lincoln Taking the Oath At His Second Inauguration, March 4, 1865" showing just that. A great display issue as such.
An inside page has an article: "The President's Inaugural" which includes the text of his second inaugural address, which includes in part: "...so still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.' With malice toward…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 16, 1861  The entire front page shows: "The Inaugural Procession at Washington Passing the Gate of the Capitol Grounds" which shows Abraham Lincoln & James Buchanan in the carriage.
Inside has a nearly half page print showing: "Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln Entering the Senate Chamber Before The Inauguration" with related text headed: "The Inauguration". Plus there is a large and dramatic doublepage centerfold done by Winslow Homer captioned: "The…

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 defending the Dred Scott Decision of 3 months prior. Lincoln gave a speech on June 26 in which he eloquently replied to Douglas, criticizing the Red Scot Decision, and also countering Douglas' thoughts on…

NEW YORK HERALD, March 6, 1865

* Abraham Lincoln 2nd inauguration
* Closing weeks of the Civil War
* Assassination nears

Page 4 headlines at the top of last column about the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln include: "INAUGURATION" "Our Report of the Second Installation of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States" "Scenes at the White House in the Streets and at the Capital" "Washington, March 4, 1861, and Washington, March 4, 1865." "THE CONTRAST" "The Grand Reception in…

NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, March 4, 1865 

* Rare pro-white publication
* Abraham Lincoln inauguration
* Closing weeks of the Civil War

A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. This issue has much reporting and editorializing on Lincoln's inauguration, both with a strong bias against Lincoln.
Some articles area headed: "An Inauguration Scene "The Fourth of March" "Opinion Must Govern" "Drunkenness in Washington" "Mr.…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 12, 1860  The front page has a print of: "The Republican Wigwam At Chicago, Illinois, In Which the Republican Convention Will Be Held, May 16, 1860".  This was the event at which Abraham Lincoln would go from near obscurity to a position of prominence in American history.
The doublepage centerfold is a terrific print captioned: "Prominent Candidates For The Republican Presidential Nomination At Chicago" which includes portraits of eleven men, of central…