Historic Newspapers: Pre-Civil War

THE WORLD, New York City, March 11, 1861 

* Start of the Civil War close (Fort Sumter)
* Tensions at a boiling point in the South
* Southern slavery and the Confederacy
* History about to be made

From just weeks before the outbreak of the Civil War, this issue has some reports on the impending conflict.
The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "STATE OF THE NATION" with various subheads. (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, uncut and untrimmed, light creasing with toning and a little wear at the…

BOSTON GAZETTE, Jan. 12, 1807

* Edgar Allan Poe's father & mother theater ads
* "The Secret" and "Robin Hood" comedy plays 
* Eliza Arnold Hopkins Poe & David Poe Jr.

The top of page 3 under "Boston Theatre" is a  notice for the performances of "THE SECRET", with Mr. Poe as "Henry Torrid" and "ROBIN HOOD" with Mrs. Poe as "Clorinda" re. the parents of Edgar Allan Poe.
Complete with 4 pages, nice condition.

background: The performance on January 12, 1807, at the Boston Theatre serves as a vital…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 27, 1817 

* Grand Lodge of Massachusetts notice
* Masonic - Masons - Freemasonry - Freemasons
* The Elephant 'Columbus' engraving
* Asian Pachyderm from India on display
* First ever male exhibited in America 

The front page has a notice for a upcoming meeting headed: "Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" Also contains the seal of the lodge. (see image)
Page 3 has a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch notice for an exhibition of "The Elephant Columbus", which includes an engraving of an…

HOUSEHOLD WORDS, London, England, Dec. 14, 1850

* Charles Dickens publication

This 24 page issue is in nice condition and measures 6 x 9 inches. This was a weekly journal which was conducted by Charles Dickens as noted in the masthead. This magazine has mainly literary reading (stories, poems etc.), some by Charles Dickens himself.

Background: The historical significance of Household Words lies in its role as a bridge between the high-brow Victorian literary world and the emerging mass-market…

THE TIMES, London, May 8, 1840

* The disappearance of Father Thomas
* Led to the severe Jewish persecution
* Profoundly historic - notorious instance of Judaica "blood libel"

On page 5, under the unassuming heading, "MONEY-MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE", is the inconspicuous but noteworthy report which includes in part: "

The issue is complete in eight pages, is printed on high-quality newsprint, and is in very good condition. A rare and historic issue.
A related post is available on the History's…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, July 27, 1822  

* Denmark Vesey slave rebellion... free black man in Charleston, SC
* The 1820  state-by-state slave population and projection for 1830
* Steamboat Robert Fulton, 1st built for ocean travel

The most historic item is found on the back page: a report of the Denmark Vesey slave revolt, noting that eight slaves were executed in Charleston.
The report has a small heading: "South Carolina", followed by updated particulars regarding the slave revolt. See…

BOSTON GAZETTE, April 10, 1809 

* Edgar Allan Poe's mother theater ad (Eliza Arnold Hopkins Poe)

A curious literary item here as the top of page 3 has an advertisement for the "Boston Theatre" for the performance of: "BARBAROSSA", a theatrical performance, with one of the actors being Edgar Allan Poe's mother ("Mrs. Poe) playing "Irene" (see image)
News of the day and other interesting advertisements. Four pages, nice condition.

Background: In the spring of 1809, just months after the birth of her…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Jan. 12, 1861  

* America preparing for Civil War
* Abraham Lincoln as president-elect
* Florida and Alabama leave the Union

Items inside include: "Martin Van Buren's Opinion of Lincoln" "Startling Evidence of Treason" "the Pony Express" "The Pro-Slavery Rebellion" "Secession of Florida" "Expulsion Of Traitors" "Firmness of the President" "Secession of Alabama" "Firing on the Star of the West" and more.
Eight pages, indents at the blank spine from disbinding, a few discreet…

AI ANGLO SACSUN, New York, May 29, 1847  

* Promoting the spelling of words phonetically

Here is one of the more fascinating newspapers that was in the private collection.
This newspaper--which is volume 1, number 11--attempted to exploit a movement to spell words phonetically, just as they sounded. So their motto in the dateline is: "Devoted Tu Ai Difyushun ov Nolej and Nuz, Tru Ai Medium of Fonotipi, or the Tru System ov Spelin Wurdz As Iz, Just Az ae are Pronnst." (difficult to translate as…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 5, 1841  

* President William Henry Harrison inauguration
* Inaugural address - best title to be had (rare)

Perhaps the best newspaper to be had on the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as the nation's ninth President, this being the premier newspaper from the nation's capital. 
Most of page 2 is taken up with: "THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS of Gen. William Henry Harrison, March 4, 1841, On entering Upon the Duties of the office of…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 23, 1803 

* The Louisiana Purchase Treaty
* Signed by U.S. & France ministers

Page 2 has: "By the President of the United States...A PROCLAMATION" calling for a special session of Congress, signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
This is followed by a very historic report headed: "Louisiana - Official" which mentions in part: "Dispatches from the American ministers at Paris...contain the treaty, signed on April 30th which conveys Louisiana to the United…

THE ENGLISH CHRONICLE & WHITEHALL EVENING POST, London, England, Oct. 4, 1803  One of the less common titles of early 19th century England, this issue added to the private collection because of the nice engraving in the masthead. This is the first of this title we have offered.
Various reports of the day including many with a military theme. Page 2 has mention of Admiral Nelson.
Four pages, very nice condition.

Background: The English Chronicle and the Whitehall Evening Post were…

NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, August 26, 1865

* Horace Greeley letter - his opinion of African Americans
* Andersonville prison trial... Henry Wirz

The most historically significant content is the intriguing letter on page 4: "A Letter To the Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson", signed in type: H. G., for Horace Greeley.
Following the end of the Civil War, this discussion addressed the physical, intellectual, and emotional condition of African Americans now that they were free. The exchange with Nicholson, often…

EXTRA GLOBE, Washington, May 3, 1838  

* Jacksonian loyalist Francis Preston Blair

There would appear to have been three titles with this name as Miles ("The People's Voice") notes a campaign newspaper from 1832 and another from 1836. This is the one founded in 1834. In its first issue it noted: "The Extra Globe, which we publish today, is the beginning of the series of weekly papers in which it is our intention to condense the political information which, in our judgment, may be useful to the…

BOSTON GAZETTE, July 25, 1803 

* The Louisiana Purchase Treaty

Page 2 has: "By the President of the United States...A PROCLAMATION" calling for a special session of Congress, signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
This is followed by a very historic report headed: "Louisiana - Official" which mentions in part: "Dispatches from the American ministers at Paris...contain the treaty, signed on April 30th which conveys Louisiana to the United States...The terms are, 1st. 11,250,000 dollars to be paid to…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 22, 1844 

* Mormons leader Joseph Smith
* Election campaign for president
* 1st presidential candidate to be killed

It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter-Day Saints, ran for president of the United States in 1844.
After several years of harassment and persecution in Missouri and Illinois, Smith wrote to five men expected to be candidates for the presidency, asking each what he would do to protect the citizenship rights of the…

EVENING GAZETTE, Boston, March 14, 1835 Complete 4 page periodical from the early part of the 19th century. This issue measures 25 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches, a little light damp staining, nice condition.

Background: The Boston Evening Gazette of the 1830s was a prominent and influential broadsheet newspaper that played a key role in Boston’s political and social life during the early 19th century. Published daily, it was known for its comprehensive coverage of both local and national news, along…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 26, 1847  Over two columns of page 3 are taken up with: "The Administration and Congress" which deals mostly with events of the Mexican War. 
Also on the war are: "Late From Gen. Scott's Army" & "From The City of Mexico".
Four pages, very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 1858 

* Baron Rothschild of Tring
* 1st Jewish member of House of Lords

Page 2 has a column headed: "Baron Rothschild in Parliament". This is a very notable report, as it gives the account of the formal seating in Parliament of Rothschild as its first Jewish member.
Baron Lionel Rothschild was a British Jewish banker, politician and philanthropist who was a member of the prominent Rothschild banking family of England. He became…

THE FRIEND OF PEACE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, July, 1828  This was a 19th-century anti-war publication authored by Noah Worcester (under the pseudonym "Philo Pacificus"), focused on promoting peace and Christian pacifism through essays.
Complete in 32 pages, still having the original blue wrappers noting the contents, never bound nor trimmed, a library stamp at the top of the front wrapper, 5 3/4 by 9 3/4 inches, nice condition.

NEW YORK EVENING POST, Nov. 25, 1802

* African lion on display advertisement (notice)

The top of the front page has a notice for an exhibit of "The King Of Beasts" which includes details about the event and a woodcut of the African lion. Complete with all 4 pages, minor margin wear, nice condition.

Background: In the early 1800s, New Yorkers could witness the rare spectacle of an African lion exhibited at a commercial venue, specifically at Store No. 23, next to the corner of Front…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Jan. 30, 1861 

* Abraham Lincoln about to change America

A great issue shortly before the outbreak of war with pg. 4 including: "...declare that Mr. Lincoln has listened to the Compromisers & is inclined to sacrifice the principles of the Chicago platform...We have the best authority for saying that Mr. Lincoln is opposed to all concessions of the sort..." and more on his position (see). Also: "Secession Must Cure Itself" and a pg. 5 item: "Important from…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, & DWASHINGTON ADVERITSER, D.C., Oct. 26, 1807 

* President Thomas Jefferson proclamation
* Pardon for military deserters - soldiers 

Page 3 has: "A Proclamation" by the President concerning those: "...who have deserted from the army of the United States...has become sensible of their offense & are desirous of returning to their duty, a full pardon is hereby proclaimed...as shall, within four months...surrender themselves to the commanding officer..." signed in…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 25, 1858 

* Paul Morphy - American chess champion
* Early Salt Lake City, Utah  view

The prime print would be the great and displayable full page view of: "Salt Lake City, from the Observatory of the Council House" being one of the earlier views of Salt Lake City to be had in any periodical. The condition of this print is quite nice (see).
The front page shows: "Rev. Samuel I. Prime, D.D." with text on him. Inside includes two illustrations on:…

NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 25, 1861 

* Plot to assassination Abraham Lincoln

The front page contains various one column heads which include: "The Plot Against Mr. Lincoln's Life" "Developments of a Detective Officer" "The Feeling Among the Republicans" and more (see). A portion of the report includes: "...some persons express their decided belief that the story of a conspiracy to assassinate the President elect is all gammon and moonshine..." with more (see).
Eight pages, small piece torn…

THE DAILY GEORGIAN, Savannah, June 5, 1840  

* Very rare publication 
* Antebellum periodical 
* 21 years prior to Civil War

Rarely do we find antebellum newspapers from Savannah, but here is one. Various news of the day and ads, including at least one front page runaway slave ad plus an ad headed: "Cotton Plantation and Negroes for Sale", both of which have considerable detail.
Page 3 also has a slave-related ad and page 2 has an interesting article: "Daring Act of Piracy on the…

BOSTON GAZETTE, May 11, 1809 

* Edgar Allan Poe's mother theater ad

A curious literary item here as the top of page 3 has an advertisement for the "Boston Theatre" for the performance of: "FALSE DELICACY", a theatrical performance, with a song sung by "Mrs. Poe". (see image) She was the mother of Edgar Allan Poe. This ad is lightly inked.
News of the day and other interesting advertisements. Four pages, nice condition.

Background: In 1809, during the Boston Theatre’s production of…

HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, New York, December, 1851 

* Herman Melville's Moby-Dick
* Early novel review - The Whale
* First introduction to the public 

Near the back of the issue is "Literacy Notices" which discusses "A new work by Herman Melville, entitled Moby Dick; or, the Whale, has just been issued by Harper and Brothers... Moby Dick is the name of an old White Whale; half fish and half devil; the terror of the Nantucket cruisers...This huge sea monster has a conflict with one…

HARPER'S MONTHLY, New York, March, 1854  Beginning on the ftpg. is a 14 pg. article about the "Grinnell Expedition", which has 29 small illustrations of various scenes of the region: the "Interior of a native hut", the "Inspectors' house at Lievely", "Devil's Thumb", "Melville Bay", and more. Another article, "Cotton and Its Cultivation" (by T.B.Thorpe), includes significant details along with several illustrations related to picking cotton, the cotton-gin, slave labor, etc.,  and is often…

HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, New York, March, 1857.  Simply a great issue. Included are the following: ae early (pre-book) serialized portion of "Little Dorrit", by Charles Dickens, a lengthy tribute to the famed Samuel Johnson (taking more than 10 pages), and detailed, illustrated descriptions of both Albany, New York and multiple regions of North Carolina. See images for details.
Complete in 150+ pages, disbound without wrappers. A Reader's Digest-sized issue, minor spotting on the front…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, March 18, 1820  Taking over 3 pages is a continued report from the  Secretary of the Treasury on the "National Currency". Also within is over a page on the: "Seizure of the Floridas" followed by: "The Slave Question". Nearly 4 pages of reports from "Congress" as well.
Sixteen pages, 6 by 9 1/4 inches, very nice condition.

As noted in Wikipedia, this title: "...(was) one of the most widely-circulated magazines in the United States...Devoted primarily to…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, Feb. 13, 1852

* Very rare old West publication (early)
* Gold rush mining - miners - 49ers era 
* Soon after statehood - joining the Union
* LARGE SIZED ISSUE - Measures 28 x 21 inches

The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged, and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July.
This is a volume…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, April 8, 1837  Page 5 has a bit: "California" concerning it declaring itself independent from Mexico, noting: "...the first article of the plan of the revolution at Monterey is that they declare themselves independent of Mexico until the re-establishment of the constitution of 1824...And, in conjunction with the Texas affair, will make the Mexicans very angry...". The bkpg. has an interesting bit: "The Last Survivor" concerning granting a pension to the $200…

THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, Salem, Ohio, May 11, 1850  

* Rare Anti Slavery publication - slaves
* Emancipation of the enslaved - abolition 
* Over 10 years prior to the Civil War 

The motto printed in the masthead reads: "No Union With Slaveholders", which sets the tone for the newspaper's theme. This is one of the less common anti-slavery newspapers we have encountered.
This issue has a wealth of fine, anti-slavery-themed articles including: "Colored Children Entitled to the Benefits of…

THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, Salem, Ohio, April 27, 1850  

* Rare Anti Slavery publication - slaves
* Emancipation of the enslaved - abolition 
* Over 10 years prior to the Civil War 

The motto printed in the masthead reads: "No Union With Slaveholders", which sets the tone for the newspaper's theme. This is one of the less common anti-slavery newspapers we have encountered.
This issue has a wealth of fine, anti-slavery-themed articles including a poem: "To Slaveholders & Their Allies" by John. G.…

THE FLORIDIAN, Tallahassee, Florida, Nov. 4, 1848 

* Rare antebellum publication
* 12 years prior to Civil War outbreak

Nineteenth century newspapers from Florida are uncommon, particularly those from before the Civil War. Here is such an issue from the capital city of Florida, three years before the Civil War.
Over half of the ftpg. has various political Acts and documents signed in type by the President: James K. Polk. Various content within including: "Fillmore's Abolitionism…

GALIGNANI'S MESSENGER, Paris, Dec. 27, 1836  An interesting newspaper from Paris, France but printed in English, and featuring a black-inked tax stamp on the front page. Various news of advertisements. The policy/purpose of this title was to promote good feeling between England and France, and was highly regarded. It was viewed to be progressive.
Four pages, nice condition.
Note: 

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 1849  Page 3 has over a full column of reports from California, mostly focused on the Gold Rush. Subheads include: "Placer Intelligence" "A Trinity River Expedition" "Successful Gold Diggings" with details; "The Mines" "Improvements at San Francisco" and more.
A wealth of fine reading from during the height of the Gold Rush mania.
Four pages,very nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 8, 1849 

* Wagon trains heading West
* California gold rush era

Page 3 has a terrific report headed: "From the Western Plains" which provides a sense of the romance, at least in hindsight, of the wagon trains heading west.
But the truth was much more dangerous. A few bits include: "...advices from the Plains have been received...left Fort Kearny...were meet & surrounded by a band of Cheyennes and Sioux...robbed them of almost every…

THE NILES WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore,  Jan. 14, 1826 

* Maryland Jew Bill becomes law

Under the heading "Maryland" is a very nice, editorialized report acknowledging the very recent approval of the "Jew Bill" which allowed--for the first time--Jews to hold public office in the state of Maryland.
The report reads in part: "The affairs of our state begin to have an improving appearance...for the political liberation of persons held in servitude for conscience-sake, has been also passed…

THE POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, Aug. 31, 1844 

* Very rare 19th century Hawaiian publication

One of the earliest newspapers we have offered from Hawaii, and fourteen years earlier than the few of this title we offered in recent years.
The "first series" of this title existed for just 1 1/2 years from 1840 to 1841. It proved unprofitable and was shut down. The editor reestablished the paper under the same title in May, 1844. Two months later it become the "Official…

PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Sept. 13, 1856  A sporting-themed masthead engraving in this: "Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage" as noted in the masthead.
Inside has a quite early report on: "Base Ball" which begins: "This fine American game seems to be progressing in all parts of the United States with new spirit...Matches are being made all around us, and games are being played on every available green plot within a ten mile circuit..." with more. What…

SANDWICH ISLAND GAZETTE & JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, Honolulu, Oahu, Aug. 20, 1836  

* Very rare publication
* 1st English language

This was the very first English language newspaper published in Hawaii, known as the Sandwich Islands at that time. It is the volume 1, number 4 issue. It was preceded by only two Hawaiian language newspapers, which began in 1834, with this title being the first English-language newspaper printed in the Hawaiian Islands - and the first to include commercial advertising.
 
The…

SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 5, 1857  

* Pre-Civil War sporting - hunting publication

"A Chronicle of the Turf, Agriculture, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage" which features an engraving of a horse racing scene in the masthead.
Although this eclectic title covers all the fields noted in the masthead, horse racing seems to be the greater focus.
Sixteen pages, 12 by 18 inches, very nice condition.

background: The Spirit of the Times was a New York weekly newspaper…

THE SEMI-WEEKLY TIMES, New York, May 15, 1857  Pages 2 and 3 have significant coverage of the 24th anniversary gathering of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Among the speakers were William Lloyd Garrison (President), Wendell Phillips, Frances Ellen Watkins (a free negro woman), William Wells Brown (a fugitive slave), and more. While most are familiar with the first two mentioned above, the latter two are worth exploring.
The coverage takes over 6 columns of text.
Other news of the day is…

John Paul Jones'

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL, Boston, Massachusetts, Aug. 2, 1851  The front page has a half-page engraving of a cricket club: "The Eleven Of New England.", which includes the names of the club members and various officials. Included is a related article.

The inside has a half-page engraving of the "Laying Of The Corner Stone At The Capitol." Also present are: "Deck of the Ship Niantic, At Sea", "Opheleton Female Seminary", "Statue of Stephen Girard", "Noble's Island, Portsmouth, N.H.",…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, September 18 , 1874

* Battle of Liberty Place ends
* New Orleans LA Lousiana
* John McEnery & William Pitt Kellogg
* Confederate veterans

The top of page 7 has a one column heading in bold lettering: "SURRENDER" with subheads. (see images) Text takes up almost 4 columns.
Complete with 12 pages, nice condition.

Background:The Battle of Liberty Place, fought on September 14, 1874, in New Orleans, was a violent insurrection led by the White League, a white…