The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
The first convention of clubs: the birth of organized baseball...
Item #707410
January 23, 1857
THE NEW YORK HERALD, January 23, 1857 The back page has a report which could be considered the birth of organized baseball. And printed the day after the event happened.
The second column has an article headed: "Our National Sports" with subheads: "The Game of Base Ball--Convention of the Various Clubs Of the City and Vicinity--The Laws to Be Codified--Central Park Commission... 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
One of the earliest baseball illustrations to appear in any periodical...
Item #705496
December 27, 1856
PORTERS SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Dec. 27, 1856
* Earliest of baseball diagrams
* Pre-American Civil War era
This issue of this once popular sporting journal features one of the earliest baseball illustrations to appear in a periodical.
This simple illustration, which is actually a 3 by 3 inch diagram, shows the position of the players, and is part of an article: "Base Ball"... See More
1775 capture of Ethan Allen...
Item #719128
October 21, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775
* Ethan Allen captured
* American 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 ... See More
Washington signs America's first Copyright Act...
Item #704053
July 17, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 17, 1790
* Copyright Act of 1790
* 1st federal copyright law
* President George Washington
A nice & very historic issue for display, as fully half of the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress titled: "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the Authors & Proprietors of such Co... See More
1789 creation of the Department of War...
Item #703746
August 19, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 19, 1789
* Creation of the Department of War - Defense
* Beginnings stages of the federal government
* President George Washington signing
A very significant issue, as the back page contains the official Act of Congress creating the Department of Defense, then known as the Department of War. This was the "Sixth Act of the Legislature ... See More
The Treasury Department is created... Where will the federal capital be located? Knox is Secretary at War...
Item #703753
September 16, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 16, 1789 Certainly the most notable report is that found on the back page, where is printed in full: "An ACT to Establish the Treasury Department" taking nearly a full column, signed at its conclusion by the President: George Washington.
A very notable report on the creation of this significant department of the federal government. Ter... See More
Dr. Church's traitorous letter to the British... General Lee's letter to General Burgoyne...
Item #703299
January 04, 1776
NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Jan. 4, 1776
* Traitor Dr. Benjamin Church
* British General Thomas Gage
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
See the nice engraving in the masthead.
Fully two-thirds of the front page is taken up with a lengthy & detailed: "Letter from General Lee to General Burgoyne" datelined: &... 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
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
British reaction to Washington being named commander-in-chief...
Item #687211
October 18, 1775
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775
* General George Washington
* Named Commander-in-Chief
* Continental Army - British reaction
The front page begins with a nice item from London concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty ... See More
Washington comments on religious freedom and racial equality... On the Battle of Bunker Hill...
Item #701321
October 11, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Oct. 11, 1775
* General George Washington
* Battle of Bunker Hill - Boston
* American Revolutionary War
This is a wonderful issue on several accounts.
Taking the middle column of the front page is a notable address which: "...will be published in Canada, on the arrival there of Col. Arnold, with the troops under his command."
It
... See More
Much on the Battle of Gettysburg from a soldier involved...
Item #707409
July 17, 1863
DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, July 17, 1863 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 ... See More
Historic "Proclamation" by Massachusett-Bay...
Item #704404
February 27, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 27, 1776 Wonderful to find a newspapers not just dated 1776, but from Philadelphia.
The front page begins with a Resolve of Confess noting: "That no vessel loaded for Great Britain, Ireland, or the British West Indies, be permitted to sail until the farther order o this Congress..." with a bit more.
The balance of the front page--... See More
Burgoyne on his surrender to General Gates at Saratoga... Washington's Proclamation to deserters...
Item #703518
December 08, 1777
THE BOSTON GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Dec. 8, 1777
* Battles of Saratoga - Revolutionary War
* General John Burgoyne surrenders
The patriotic engraving in the masthead was done by none other than Paul Revere, showing the caged dove of peace being set free over the skyline of Boston by the symbol of liberty.
Certainly the most notable content would be the letter from G... 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
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
Congress' address to America: keep the patriotic fervor... Ministers of the Gospel asked to read the address to their congregations...
Item #701428
May 28, 1778
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, May 28, 1778
* American Revolutionary War
Most of page 2 is taken up with a very notable & historic: "Address of the Congress to the Inhabitants of the United States of America" signed in type by: Henry Laurens, President at that time, dated May 9, 1778.
In the spring of 1778, the Continental Congress learned of th... See More
Benedict Arnold on the Battle of Quebec... Ethan Allen in irons...
Item #709894
February 22, 1776
NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR ESSEX GAZETTE, (Cambridge), Feb. 22, 1776 The top of the first column begins with a report from Cork that: "...there has been commotions amongst the soldiers who are to embark for America; that a great numbers of them have deserted & that several of the officers who are absent have sent letters to acquaint their officers that they shall not join their regime... 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
Rare war-related newspaper that lasted but three issues...
Item #701624
March 30, 1861
THE PALMETTO FLAG, Philadelphia, March 30, 1861
* Very rare pre-Confederate Northern publication
* Pro Southern secession - Civil War about to start
An exceedingly rare newspaper as only three issues were published, this being issue #1. This is just the second issue of this title we have encountered in our 50+ years.
As the title might hint, this was a newspaper that sympathized with... 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
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
Japanese-American newspaper from Hawaii reports war against Japan...
Item #723430
December 08, 1941
THE NIPPU JIJI, "Leading Japanese Daily Newspaper In Hawaii", Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.A. December 8, 1941
Read about a recent discovery below.
Interesting to have this banner headline: "U.S. CONGRESS DECLARES WAR AGAINST JAPAN AS FDR ACCUSES HER OF TREACHERY" in a newspaper for the Japanese citizens of Hawaii.
Among the subheads: "No Japanese Raid ... 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
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
Arguing against American independence...
Item #715770
March 09, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 9, 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.
Over half of the front page is taken up with: "The following rules... 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
The Confederate version of "Harper's Weekly"... General P.G.T. Beauregard...
Item #701578
June 20, 1863
SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, June 20, 1863 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 ... See More
The earliest newspaper from Illinois we have offered...
Item #715066
June 05, 1819
EDWARDSVILLE SPECTATOR, Illinois, June 5, 1819
* VERY rare publication
* Madison County, Illinois
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... See More
The Emancipation Proclamation...
Item #701595
January 03, 1863
NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 3, 1863
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Emancipation Proclamation
* Freedom for slaves
Although the front page has some great coverage on the battle of Murfreesboro & other war events, the prime content is on page 5 where the first column contains the complete text of the Emancipation Proclamation.
It is headed: "EMANCIPATION" "President L... See More
First report on the assassination of Lincoln...
Item #701929
April 20, 1865
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... See More
Great account of the last of the Lincoln-Douglas debates...
Item #705619
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 on page 6 is a fine re... 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
Thomas Paine and his "American Crisis" essay #10...
Item #704103
May 02, 1782
THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, May 2, 1782
* American Revolutionary War
* Thomas Paine - essay # 10
* "The American Crisis"
Most of the front page is taken up with a portion of his essay of March 5, 1782, headed "Common Sense To the People of America. On the Expences, Arrangements, and Disbursement for carrying on the War, and finishing it with Honour and Adva... 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
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
"Dishonest malevolence?" The printing controversy over Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"...
Item #704399
January 25, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Jan. 25, 1776 As a bit of a back story, printer Robert Bell ran an advertisement taking most of a column in the January 27 issue attacking both Paine and Bradford and ingenuously accusing them of "dishonest malevolence." He also continued his efforts to sell his own second edition of Thomas Paine's famous work 'Common Sense'... 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
Much news from the Revolutionary War...
Item #704210
September 28, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 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 front page has an ad for the desertion of two soldiers from military ser... See More
Niles' eight essays on the 'Mitigation of Slavery'...
Item #691745
May 08, 1819
NILES WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore
* The "Mitigation of Slavery" - 8 issues
* Serialized essay by Hezekiah Niles'
* His plan to abolish slavery in America
* His plan to abolish slavery in America
A set of 8 issues which contain all eight essays by publisher Hezekiah Niles titled the: "Mitigation of Slavery" in which he puts forth five propositions to that end.
The issues are dated May 8,... 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
Ethan Allen a prisoner... Two letters from George Washington... N.Y. governor hopes for reconciliation...
Item #700574
April 04, 1776
NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE: OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, April 4, 1776
* Ethan Allen as a prisoner
* General George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
A wealth of fine content in this issue from this desirable year.
Page 2 has a wonderful address from the Massachusetts Council offering praise and support to "His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Es... See More
First printing of the first Census Act...
Item #703187
March 10, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, March 10, 1790
* The Census Act of 1790
* Very first U.S. census
The nation's capital was in New York City at this time, so it is of great significance that close to half of the front page is taken up with the very first printing of: "An ACT Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States".
This was th... See More
Curious issue reporting Kennedy's assassination...
Item #695835
November 22, 1963
THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-- "Second Extra", Nov. 22, 1963
* Bizarre JFK - John F. Kennedy assassination issue
This “Second Extra” edition has a curious–if not macabre–combination of headline and photo.
As would be expected of an “Extra” of this date, the large & bold headline proclaims: “KENNEDY KILLED” but immediately beneath it... See More
Washington's historic farewell orders to the military...
Item #704612
January 06, 1784
THE EDINBURGH ADVRTISER, Scotland, Jan. 6, 1784
* General George Washington
* Farewell address - speech
* Continental Army officers
* Princeton, New Jersey
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: "Rock... See More
Death of the President, in a Washington, D.C. newspaper...
Item #702416
April 05, 1841
THE GLOBE Semi-Weekly edition, Washington, D.C., April 5, 1841
* President William Henry Harrison
* Washington, D.C. death - 1st report
The upper right corner of the front page has what appears to be almost a news bulletin headed: "Death Of The President", datelined "April 4, two o'clock, A.M." and beginning: "It is with deep regret we announce that WILLI... See More
If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our
gifts and birthday newspapers page.
An Inside Look
Timothy Hughes Rare &
Early Newspapers…
A special thank you goes out
to the staff of WGRC!
to the staff of WGRC!
History's Newsstand Blog
- FDR Fireside Chat… Building “The Arsenal of Democracy”…
- Announcing: Catalog 363 – Released for February, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
- Two Discoveries, One Powerful Reminder – It Started with the Pony Express…
- The reason I collected it: an accordion fold newspaper…
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
