The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
The Great Fire of London...
Item #704177
September 24, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, September 24, 1666 One of the greatest calamities, and more notable events to strike London in its long history is the Great Fire which destroyed much of the city in September, 1666. Finding period references to it are exceedingly difficult, as the number of newspapers publishing in 1666 was extremely small, this title certainly being the most significant.
... See More
Terrific letter from William Clark to his brother on the Lewis & Clark Expedition...
Item #702414
November 13, 1806
BOSTON GAZETTE, Nov. 13, 1806
* Lewis and Clark Expedition letter
* Safe return - homeward bound
Taking nearly a full column on the front page is an extraordinary letter that is prefaced with: "TRAVELS IN AMERICA". The following letter presents an interesting and authentic account of the important discoveries which have been made by Captains Clark and Lewis, in their success... See More
Latest news from the Revolutionary War in a very rare newspaper...
Item #695809
May 07, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, May 7, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781. This issue is volume 1, number 8.
Inside has a report from Charleston beginning: "Five deserters who came last week to Purysbu... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #678600
March 03, 1878
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood, Black Hills, March 3, 1878
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This town would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. Plus, this is a volume 1 issue.
This ... See More
Perhaps our best issue on the Chicago Fire...
Item #698614
October 10, 1871
CHICAGO EVENING POST--EXTRA, Oct. 10, 1871
* Great Chicago fire disaster
* From the same city (very rare)
This is perhaps the very best Chicago Fire issue we have offered. Not only is it from Chicago, but it is a day earlier than any other report we have offered from Chicago.
Most of the first column is taken up with heads including; "CHICAGO IN FLAMES" "An All-Night ... See More
Perhaps the best newspaper to be had for Harrison's inauguration...
Item #685222
March 05, 1841
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: &q... See More
Coronation of King James II and Queen Mary...
Item #698264
April 27, 1685
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, April 23-27, 1685
* Coronation of King James II and Queen Mary
* Best publication to be had - very rare as such
This is one of the more desirable & historic events of the period, with the entire front page & some of the back page taken up with the coronation of King James II and Queen Mary. The report is datelined April 23 and has a one par
... See More
* Coronation of King James II and Queen Mary
* Best publication to be had - very rare as such
This is one of the more desirable & historic events of the period, with the entire front page & some of the back page taken up with the coronation of King James II and Queen Mary. The report is datelined April 23 and has a one par
Washington proclaims an end to hostilities in the Revolutionary War...
Item #689607
June 09, 1783
THE MORNING POST & DAILY ADVERTISER, London, June 9, 1783
* General George Washington letter
* Announcing the end of hostilities
* American Revolutionary War ending
Certainly the most significant content takes almost an entire column of page 3, which has George Washington's letter announcing a cessation of hostilities in the Revolutionary War.
It is prefaced with a note stat... See More
Terrific discussions on the value of independence from England... Confirmation Howe has evacuated Boston...
Item #687419
March 30, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)
This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
The entire front page and a portion of the back page are filled with a terri... See More
Very lengthy letter by Ben Franklin... British generals say America cannot be conquered...
Item #697886
September 09, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 9, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
* Lengthy letter from Benjamin Franklin
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
The entire front page and a bit of the back page are taken up with a very lengthy: &quo... See More
Treaty of Peace ending the Revolutionary War: abridged version...
Item #700633
THE POLITICAL MAGAZINE, London, October, 1783 * Historic Treaty of Paris (peace)
* End of the Revolutionary War
Near the back is the full text of: "The Definitive Treaty between Great Britain & the United States of America, signed at Paris, the 3rd day of Sept. 1783" which consumes over two pages, and includes the signatures of John Adams, B. Franklin, and John Jay... See More
The only American magazine that published during the heart of the Revolutionary War...
Item #702543
June 01, 1779
THE UNITED STATES MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, June, 1779
* The only American magazine that published during the heart of the Revolutionary War
In the entirety of the Revolutionary War only two American magazines existed, they being this one and the "Pennsylvania Magazine" which published in Philadelphia as well, from January, 1775 thru July, 1776.
The "United States Magazin... See More
Extremely rare 1665 Oxford Gazette... Account of deaths from the Great Plague...
Item #698035
January 18, 1666
THE OXFORD GAZETTE, London, January 18, 1665 (1666 by today's calendar)
* One of the earliest & rarest of newspapers to be had
This is an extremely famous--and rare--title, being the predecessor of the famous "London Gazette", the oldest continually published English language newspaper in the world.
Because of the Plague at this time, the Royal Court had removed its... See More
Best of all Nast Santa Claus prints!
Item #701728
January 01, 1881
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 1, 1881
* Best of all Thomas Nast illustrations - prints
* Christmas - Santa Claus - Kris Kringle - Saint Nick
The full front page is a Thomas Nast illustration: "The Dear Little Boy That Thought Christmas Came Oftener." This print is somewhat compromised by the browning and mild margin wear, including the darker strip at the left side.... See More
Early "beardless" Lincoln illustration on the front page...
Item #172366
May 26, 1860
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 fo... See More
Benedict Arnold responds... Nice war reports... Paul Revere masthead...
Item #687315
March 25, 1779
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR, AMERICAN ORACLE OF LIBERTY, Worcester, March 25, 1779
* 18th century American publication
* Revolutionary War - Benedict Arnold
* Masthead by Paul Revere
This newspaper published by the famed Isaiah Thomas is undoubtedly one of the more significant & notable titles of the Revolutionary War era.
It is worth noting that the famed printer Isaiah ... See More
Best San Francisco earthquake issue to be had...
Item #682249
April 19, 1906
THE CALL-CHRONICLE-EXAMINER, San Francisco, California, April 19, 1906
* Best San Francisco earthquake issue to be had
This newspaper is destined to be--if not already--one of the premiere issues of the early 20th century.
See the photos for the great headlines and reports found not only on the front page but on all four pages.
Due to the destruction of the presses in San Francisco,... See More
The fall of Richmond... Very graphic...
Item #701664
April 04, 1865
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE, April 4, 1865 See the photos for this terrific and extremely graphic issue reporting the capture of Richmond, which essentially meant the end of the Confederacy. Lee would surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 5 days later.
The first column heads read: "VIRGINIA ! " "Richmond and Petersburg Taken ! " "Colored Troops the First to Enter the Slave
... See More
The first column heads read: "VIRGINIA ! " "Richmond and Petersburg Taken ! " "Colored Troops the First to Enter the Slave
America's first war...
Item #689643
August 16, 1675
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Aug. 16, 1675
* King Philip's War - Metacomet
* New England Colonists vs. Indians
* First war in America (historic)
The back page has a report concerning King Philip's War, an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day New England and English colonists.
The significance of what is known as "King Philip's War" ... See More
The second of the Lincoln Douglas debates...
Item #687923
September 03, 1858
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Sept. 3, 1858
* Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas
* The Great Debates of 1858 (2nd of 7)
* Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois
We find that reports on the now-famous Lincoln Douglas debates are very difficult to find in newspapers outside of Illinois, perhaps not surprising because it was a senate race in Illinois and Lincoln was, at thi
... See More
* Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas
* The Great Debates of 1858 (2nd of 7)
* Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois
We find that reports on the now-famous Lincoln Douglas debates are very difficult to find in newspapers outside of Illinois, perhaps not surprising because it was a senate race in Illinois and Lincoln was, at thi
England's last ditch effort to reconcile with America...
Item #701400
October 31, 1778
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Oct. 31, 1778
* British last attempt - peace with America
The entire front page and a portion of page 2 are taken up with an historic document headed: "MANIFESTO and PROCLAMATION" by General Henry Clinton.
Once France entered the war on the side of the colonists, Lord North became alarmed & sent commissioners t... 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
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
Terrific issue on the surrender of Lee at Appomattox...
Item #701162
April 10, 1865
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 10, 1865
* General Robert E. Lee surrenders
* Battle of Appomattox Court House
* Lincoln's assassination a few days away
We are pleased to offer this terrific & much desired issue on the end of the Civil War. The surrender of Lee at Appomattox has always been a keystone issue for any Civil War collection, and the fame & popularity of the New York... See More
First election of Abraham Lincoln... The definitive report...
Item #683571
November 10, 1860
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 10, 1860
* Abraham Lincoln's 1st election
* From the Nation's capital (best)
* The definitive report
Perhaps the best newspaper to have with news on any Presidential election, being from the nation's capital.
Page 3 has a report headed: "Result of the Presidential Election" which gives the definitive report t... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #704229
June 20, 1882
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood City, Black Hills, Nov. 24, 1878
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light.
This issue is from the "hey... See More
Phillis Wheatley arrives in London...
Item #702240
June 22, 1773
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 22, 1773
* Phillis Wheatley's London arrival
* Famous Woman servant turned poet
Certainly the most notable report is found on the back page, which contains: "Last Thursday the celebrated negro girl Phillis, the Poet, whose extraordinary talents have lately been taken notice of in the News Papers, arrived in London from Boston in New England. She ... 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
British account of the Battle of Stono Ferry, and the Battle of Chemung, New York...
Item #697637
September 02, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 2, 1779
* Battle of Stono Ferry, Charleston, South Carolina
* Battle of Chemung - New York - John Sullivan
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
Nearly one-third of page 2 is a letter from an officer in the British army from ... See More
Notable attempt at price controls during the War... Much fine war content...
Item #697211
July 15, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, July 15, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781. This is the volume 1, #18 issue.
The entire front page & most of the back page are taken up with what one scholar calls: &quo... See More
Americans entitled to defend themselves....
Item #687345
March 02, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 2, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
The top of the front page has a brief item from London: "Yesterday five petitions for stopping the proceedings against the Americans were presented to his Majesty at St. James's." Also mention that: "The 33d regiment of foot, of which Lord Cornwallis is c... See More
Rare same-day report of Harrison's inauguration...
Item #687963
March 04, 1841
THE GLOBE, Washington, D.C., March 4, 1841
* President William Henry Harrison inauguration
* Very rare same-day report from nation's capital
A terrific & very desirable newspaper as this has a same-day report on the inauguration of President Wm. H. Harrison.
Such a report is likely only to be found in a newspaper from the nation's capital, however we have had several iss... See More
Lincoln is inaugurated, with his memorable address on the front page...
Item #688031
March 05, 1865
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 Civi... See More
Paul Revere engraved the masthead... Battle of Alamance...
Item #687196
January 23, 1772
THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Boston, Jan. 23, 1772
* Paul Revere masthead engraving
* Pre American Revolutionary War
* Battle of Alamance - North Carolina
This newspaper published by the famed Isaiah Thomas is undoubtedly one of the more significant & notable titles of the Revolutionary War era. An ardent patriot, Thomas was a constant target of the Royalist government. He began his ne... See More
Workings of Congress on creating the Tariff Act of 1789...
Item #686046
May 18, 1789
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, May 18, 1789
* Tariff Act of 1789
* United States Congress
* 1st major piece of legislation
One of the first priorities of the new federal government was creating a means of tariff revenues, of such importance that the resulting Tariff Act of 1789 was just the second Act approved by Congress. The Tariff Act would be approved on July 4.
But it is th... See More
Historic Proclamation by the King formally ending the Revolutionary War...
Item #689194
February 15, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, February 15, 1783
* End of Revolutionary War
* King George III proclamation
* The cessation of hostilities
Certainly the prime--and very historic--content takes over one-third of the back page, headed: "By the KING, A PROCLAMATION Declaring the Cessation of Arms, as well by sea as land, Agreed Upon Between his Majesty's the most Christian King,... See More
Rare same-day report of Harrison's inauguration, in a Washington, D.C. newspaper...
Item #702415
April 04, 1841
THE GLOBE Semi-Weekly edition, Washington, D.C., March 4, 1841 A very rare--and very desirable--same-day report of Wm. Henry Harrison's inauguration, and not surprisingly it is from the nation's capital, where he was inaugurated.
Beginning on page 2 is a report headed: "In Senate, Thursday, March 4, 1841" which begins with the more mundane work of Congress, and then begins... See More
The Confederates on the Battle of Gettysburg...
Item #698576
July 11, 1863
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" "... See More
Paul Revere engraving in the masthead... Fine content on the Revolutionary War...
Item #701403
July 29, 1779
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR, AMERICAN ORACLE OF LIBERTY, Worcester, July 29, 1779
* Paul Revere masthead engraving
* American Revolutionary War era
Of great significance is the masthead, as the embellishments and ornate lettering were engraved by none other than Paul Revere. This newspaper was published by the famed Isaiah Thomas, a staunch patriot during the Revolutionary War,... See More
'Oh, the humanity!'... The Hindenburg explosion...
Item #683943
May 07, 1937
LOS ANGELES EXAMINER--EXTRA, May 7, 1937
* Hindenburg airship disaster
* Lakehurst NJ New Jersey
* Nice headline & photos for display
This is one of the better Hindenburg explosion issues we have offered.
See the photos for the dramatic, from page featuring the iconic photograph taken within seconds of the initial explosion showing the large ball of flames with the Hindenburg yet to h... See More
Best San Francisco earthquake issue to be had...
Item #682248
April 19, 1906
THE CALL-CHRONICLE-EXAMINER, San Francisco, California, April 19, 1906
* Best San Francisco earthquake issue to be had
This newspaper is destined to be--if not already--one of the premiere issues of the early 20th century.
See the photos for the great headlines and reports found not only on the front page but on all four pages.
Due to the destruction of the presses in San Francisco,... See More
Chief Justice Taney on the Dred Scot Decision...
Item #690761
March 09, 1857
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, March 9, 1857
* Historic Dred Scott Decision
* Famous former slave case
Page 5 has nearly 2 1/2 columns taken up with a report on the historic Dred Scott Decision, a landmark decision of the Supreme Court in which the Court held that the Constitution was not meant to include American citizenship for black people, regardless of whether they were enslaved or free,... See More
Very dramatic on the Hindenburg disaster...
Item #682381
May 07, 1937
THE SEATTLE DAILY TIMES--EXTRA, Washington, May 7, 1937
* Hindenburg airship disaster
* Lakehurst NJ New Jersey
* Nice photos for display
One of the more dramatic issues on the Hindenburg tragedy.
Above the masthead is: "SABOTAGE HINT IN ZEP BLAST ! " with a huge and very dramatic photo headed: "THE HINDENBURG IN FLAMES". The ftpg. subhead: "30 Dead Or Missi... See More
First Corvette rolls off the assembly line... In a Detroit newspaper...
Item #704761
July 01, 1953
DETROIT NEWS, Michigan, July 1, 1953
* Chevy Corvette begins production
* In a Detroit publication (historic)
Page 53 has a two line, two column headline: "Plastic Corvette Begins To Roll" & above this head in smaller type: "Production Line Starts". The report begins: "Chevrolet's first production model Corvette, a sports with a plastic laminated fibe... See More
From the fabled Old West town of Tombstone... Deputy Sheriff Earp...
Item #684212
November 18, 1880
THE DAILY NUGGET, Tombstone, Pima County, Arizona, November 18, 1880
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
* Rare Wyatt Earp mention
This may well be the consummate "Old West town" much romanticized in movies and television shows, perhaps most famous for the gunfight at the OK Corral involving Wyatt Earp and the Clanton gang.
This rare issue was printed less than a year before... See More
Very rare & early news pamphlet from Amsterdam...
Item #698014
August 01, 1632
Dutch newsletter/pamphlet from Amsterdam, August, 1632
* Very rare 17th century publication
* Siege - capture of Maastricht
* Dutch journalist & printer Broer Jansz
A very rare news pamphlet by the famed early Broer Jansz, one of the most prolific newsmen of the 17th century. Included with this item is an extensive biography of him and his work.
Included also is a translation o... See More
The first full-fledged Broadway musical...
Item #650753
September 13, 1866
NEW YORK TIMES, September 11, 12 & 13, 1866 A terrific and very historic trio of newspapers relating to the first theatrical musical, "The Black Crook".
As Wikipedia notes: "Its significance is being considered the first piece of musical theater that conforms to the modern notion of a "book musical". The book is by Charles M. Barras, an American playwright. The ... See More
George Washington at age 22... Great map of America...
Item #694072
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, July, 1754
* Great American colonies mid-18th century map
* Future general & president George Washington
Inside has the continuation of an Account of the Encroachments made by the French on the British Settlements in America. In the account are the various measures taken by the British to prevent the encroachments, incl
... See More
* Great American colonies mid-18th century map
* Future general & president George Washington
Inside has the continuation of an Account of the Encroachments made by the French on the British Settlements in America. In the account are the various measures taken by the British to prevent the encroachments, incl
Formally creating the Territory of Washington...
Item #685771
March 08, 1853
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 8, 1853
* Creation of Washington Territory
* United States Congress passes
Being the "mouthpiece of the federal government", typically this newspaper was the first to report notable political reports and developments So it is no surprise that nearly half of the front page is taken up with the Act of Congress creating th... See More
The Emancipation Proclamation... In a pro-South newspaper...
Item #704713
September 24, 1862
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 fr... See More
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An Inside Look
Timothy Hughes Rare &
Early Newspapers…
A special thank you goes out
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to the staff of WGRC!
History's Newsstand Blog
- Prior to the November 22,1963 assassination of JFK… History does repeat itself!
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Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
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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
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
