The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
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
The fall of Richmond... Very graphic...
Item #695622
April 04, 1865
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE, April 4, 1865
* The fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital
* Terrific heraldic eagle & map for display
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: "VIR
... See More
* The fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital
* Terrific heraldic eagle & map for display
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: "VIR
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
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
First Corvette rolls off the assembly line... In a Detroit newspaper...
Item #666445
July 01, 1953
DETROIT NEWS, Michigan, July 1, 1953
* 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 fiber glass... 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
Perhaps the finest of all baseball prints in a periodical...
Item #683445
November 04, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER, New York, Nov. 4, 1865 The centerfold has what is arguably the very finest 19th century baseball print to appear in a newspaper. Perfect for display.
There are multiple prints with a central image with a panoramic view of a baseball game with a huge crowd. Surrounding this print are full-figures portraits of 20 notables in the baseball world a... 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
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
Winslow Homer's famous Snap The Whip...
Item #682299
September 20, 1873
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 20, 1873 Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the much desired Winslow Homer doublepage centerfold: "Snap the Whip".
This doublepage is removed from the issue for display purposes. There are some mends to the reverse of the print at the vertical fold, a bit of tape staining come thru to the margins only of the print, light foxing to... See More
Very early newsbook from the English Civil War...
Item #692441
August 20, 1643
MERCURIUS AULICUS, Communicating the Intelligence and affaires of the Court, to the rest of the Kingdome. (Oxford), The two and thirtieth Weeke, (August 13-20, 1643).
* The mouthpiece for King Charles I from during the English Civil War
This is a very early newsbook, predecessors of today's newspapers being somewhat of a transitional publication between pamphlets & newspapers, but de... See More
Inaugural Address of President Jefferson Davis... The fall of Fort Donelson...
Item #688100
February 24, 1862
DAILY DISPATCH, Richmond, Virginia, February 24, 1862
* From the capital of the Confederacy
* President Jefferson Davis inauguration
* Best publication to be had ? (very rare)
Not only is this a great Confederate newspaper, but it is from the capital of the Confederacy and as such contains a great wealth of the latest news and battle reports.
Certainly the most significant content i... See More
Synagogues hold memorial services... Much on the assassination & funeral of Lincoln...
Item #668461
April 21, 1865
NEW YORK HERALD, April 21, 1865
* Rare 1st-page mentions of Synagogue services
* Re: Abraham Lincoln's assassination & funeral
* Black mourning borders
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 Synagogu... 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
The earliest newspaper from Illinois we have offered...
Item #678440
June 05, 1819
EDWARDSVILLE SPECTATOR, Illinois, June 5, 1819
* Very rare publication
* Madison County
This is the earliest newspaper from Illinois we have offered. Not only that, it is eleven years earlier than the previous earliest newspaper from this state. And it is the volume 1, number 2 issue. Keep in mind that Illinois just became a state six months previous.
It is notable that the two volum... See More
Much on the funeral of Washington, with an engraving of his coffin...
Item #687604
January 03, 1800
THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, January 3, 1800
* President George Washington
* Death - funeral w/ coffin print
A nice, displayable issue on the funeral of George Washington.
Over half of the front page is taken up with: "Internment Of General Washington" which begins: "On Wednesday last the mortal part of WASHINGTON THE GREAT--the Father of his Country, and the Friend of ... 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
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
Masthead taken from Paul Revere... LaFayette joins the Continental Army...
Item #686745
July 31, 1777
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Massachusetts, July 31, 1777
* Paul Revere masthead engraving
* Lafayette join the Continental Army
* American Revolutionary War
The masthead featurese an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document inscribed "Independence" while standing beneath a banner insc... 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
The beginning of the U.S. Navy's relationship with San Diego...
Item #670601
May 01, 1917
EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, California, May 1, 1917 A terrific and very displayable issue on the founding era of the United States Navy's relationship with San Diego, one which has grown tremendously ever since 1917 to become the home port of the Pacific Fleet, a base composed of 13 piers, with over 24,000 military personnel and over 10,000 civilian workers. The U.S. Navy remains a... See More
Spindletop: birth of the modern petroleum industry...
Item #674868
January 13, 1901
HOUSTON DAILY POST, Texas, Jan. 13, 1901
If ever there was a newspaper which heralded the birth of the oil industry in America, this is it.
Although discoveries were made in various locations long before this date, this discovery--to be known as Spindletop--marked the emergence of the oil industry at a time when the automobile and other industries were experiencing rapid growth, coinci... See More
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
Cherry Valley Massacre... General Charles Lee and Silas Deane defend themselves...
Item #687348
December 31, 1778
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL and WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 31, 1778
* Cherry Valley Massacre - New York
* Rare Revolutionary War publication
Fully one-third of the front page is taken up with a letter, dated Nov. 24, 1778, which reports on the historic Cherry Valley Massacre.
... See More
* Cherry Valley Massacre - New York
* Rare Revolutionary War publication
Fully one-third of the front page is taken up with a letter, dated Nov. 24, 1778, which reports on the historic Cherry Valley Massacre.
The Cherry Valley massacre was an attack by British and Iroquois forces on a fort and the vil
Much on the tensions between England & the American colonies...
Item #687205
March 17, 1775
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE & HISTORICAL CHRONICLE, Portsmouth, March 17, 1775
* Rare colonial America publication
* Pre Revolutionary War tensions w/ England
Although all American newspapers from the colonial era are quite scarce, this title is even more so.
The front page has a letter concerning bearing arms, followed by a letter noting: "An artful piece has been handed abou... See More
This racist newspaper reports the Lincoln assassination...
Item #680184
April 22, 1865
NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, April 22, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
* In a pro-white publication
A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provide a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
With thi... See More
Incredible document, with a 4 1/2 inch wax seal... King George III engraving...
Item #687494
January 01, 1813
Although we have sold hundreds of British sheepskin documents over the last 46 years, this would have to be the most intriguing--and exceedingly decorative.
It begins with: "George the Third by the Grace of God..." in very large handwriting, and within the "G" is a terrific engraving of King George III. The entire document is very decoratively embellished at the margins. Twice... See More
On the Battle of Guilford Court House...
Item #696922
April 24, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 24, 1781
* Battle of Guilford Courthouse
* Greensboro, North Carolina
* General Charles Cornwallis loss
Page 2 has some nice war content. The 2nd column begins with: "By accounts from General Greene's army as late as the 24th ultimo, we learn that Lord Cornwallis is retreating towards Cross Creek and that o... See More
Great account of the last of the Lincoln-Douglas debates...
Item #675983
October 23, 1858
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 is a fine report on the las... See More
An ad for the O.K. Corral... In a Tombstone newspaper...
Item #692358
April 30, 1886
THE DAILY TOMBSTONE, Pima County, Arizona, April 30, '86 (1886)
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
* Rare advertisement of the famed livery stable
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. I would almost suggest that this titl... See More
The slave ship...
Item #172368
June 02, 1860
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 2, 1860 The prime print in this issue is the three-quarter page illustration captioned: "The Slave Deck on the Bark 'Wildfire' Brought Into Key West on April 30, 1860." This print shows a huge number of slaves crammed on the deck. The balance of the page is related text on this slave ship, plus the facing page has additional text and 4 re... See More
The slave ship...
Item #683378
June 02, 1860
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 2, 1860
* Likely the most sought after slave ship print
* Much text re: slave ships - black americana interest
The prime print in this issue is the three-quarter page illustration captioned: "The Slave Deck on the Bark 'Wildfire' Brought Into Key West on April 30, 1860." This print shows a huge number of slaves crammed on the deck.... See More
Washington's historic Farewell orders to the military..
Item #674664
December 27, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Dec. 27, 1783
* General George Washington
* Farewell address to Continental Army
Certainly the most notable content is a full text printing of: "General Washington's Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States", a very historic & notable document datelined: "Rocky Hill, near Princetown, Nov. 2, 1783."
It reads in part:... See More
Texas becomes a state: a same day report...
Item #689613
December 29, 1845
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 29, 1845
* Texas statehood - joins the union
* Early, same day report from seat of government
History tells us that on December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state in the United States. Formerly part of Mexico, Texas had been an independent country since 1836.
Page 2, under the heading "Texas", is half a column reporti... See More
A "call to arms" for Londoners in support of America
Item #692362
September 27, 1775
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Sept. 27, 1775
* American Revolutionary War
The front page has some reports on the actions of Major Rogers in Maryland & Virginia. Also mention of work of the Virginia Provincial Convention. Plus a report of a soldier: "...who\ is on his parole in Gen. Wooster's camp. This person having been observed to follow at a distance, a load of po... See More
Rare and early title from Honolulu...
Item #668087
August 31, 1844
THE POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, Aug. 31, 1844 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 titl... See More
Dramatic issue on the San Francisco earthquake...
Item #678530
April 18, 1906
OAKLAND HERALD--3:30 Edition, April 18, 1906
* 1906 San Francisco earthquake
* Early 1st report on same day it happened
A quite rare newspaper, as not only is this not the more famous (and more common) San Francisco CALL-CHRONICLE-EXAMINER newspaper of April 19 but it is a day earlier yet equally as dramatic. Remember that Oakland is just across the bay from San Francisco.
The bold, ... See More
A Tory newspaper from the Revolutionary War... On Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga...
Item #680364
March 07, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, March 7, 1778
* Surrender of general Burgoyne
* Battles of Saratoga - New York
This was a strongly Tory (supportive of the British cause) newspaper which began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia.
Most of the ftpg. is taken up with a: "...letter from Vice Admiral Lord Vi... See More
Washington crosses the Delaware... Franklin vs. Howe...
Item #670241
THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, May, 1777
* General George Washington
* Crosses - crossing the Delaware
The prime content is an excellent letter written & signed by G. Washington dated "Headquarters, New Town, Dec. 26, 1776" which describes his crossing of the Delaware River, reading in part: "I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the success of
... See More
* General George Washington
* Crosses - crossing the Delaware
The prime content is an excellent letter written & signed by G. Washington dated "Headquarters, New Town, Dec. 26, 1776" which describes his crossing of the Delaware River, reading in part: "I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the success of
The first convention of clubs: the birth of organized baseball...
Item #675237
January 31, 1857
PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, January 31, 1857
* Birth of organized baseball
* First convention of clubs
A rather famous sporting newspaper, with a sporting-themed masthead, calling itself: "A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature and the Stage". This is the vol. 1 number 11 issue.
The page 13 report could be considered the birth of organized basebal... See More
Perhaps the best publication for any baseball collector...
Item #671463
November 28, 1867
THE BALL PLAYERS' CHRONICLE, New York, Nov. 28, 1867
* Very rare baseball publication
* Henry Chadwick "Father of Baseball"
A very rare & desired title by any baseball collection as this was the first magazine in America devoted primarily to baseball.
Edited by the legendary Henry Chadwick, this paper lasted but 30 issues, from June 6 thru December 26, 1867 before c... See More
Washington's historic Farewell orders to the military..
Item #671571
January 06, 1784
THE EDINBURGH ADVRTISER, Scotland, Jan. 6, 1784
* General George Washington
* Farewell address to his Army
Certainly the most notable & historic content is the full text printing of: "General Washington's Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States", a very historic & notable document datelined: "Rocky Hill, near Princetown, Nov. 2, 1783." It ta... See More
Perhaps the best publication for any baseball collector...
Item #682466
September 26, 1867
THE BALL PLAYERS' CHRONICLE, New York, Sept. 26, 1867
* Very rare baseball publication
* Henry Chadwick "Father of Baseball"
A very rare & desired title by any baseball collector as this was the first magazine in America devoted primarily to baseball.
Edited by the legendary Henry Chadwick, this paper lasted but 30 issues, from June 6 thru December 26, 1867 before c... See More
Exceedingly rare Napoleon occupation newspaper...
Item #672273
January 05, 1811
COURRIER D'AMSTERDAM or the COURIER VAN AMSTERDAM, January 5, 1811 (No. 5)
* Exceedingly rare Napoleon Bonaparte occupation newspaper
This was a daily newspaper published in Amsterdam during the French occupation of Holland. It is bilingual: half printed in French and half in Dutch. Two mastheads as well, one in each language.
In 1810 Napoleon Bonaparte annexed Holland to his empi... See More
Lincoln's assassination: John Wilkes Booth on the front page...
Item #681342
April 29, 1865
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 29, 1865
* Famous Abraham Lincoln assassination issue
* 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 is... See More
Letter from Patrick Henry, and much on the Revolutionary War...
Item #684429
June 09, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, June 9, 1779
* Patrick Henry letter signed in type
* Much on the Revolutionary War
Pages 2 and 3 contain a wealth of reporting on the Revolutionary War including a letter from Charleston noting in part: "The campaign in George and the Southern part of this state between the royal army commanded by Brigadier General P... See More
California becomes a state... Key acts in the Compromise of 1850...
Item #682815
September 12, 1850
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 12, 1850
* California joins the Union (statehood)
* From the nation's capital
Not only does page 3 contain the official Act of Congress creating California as a state, the report is in the newspaper which was the unofficial voice of the government in any matters political.
Page 3 has: "An Act for the Admission of the State of C... See More
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