The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
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
Newsbook from near the end of the Commonwealth period...
Item #692344
September 02, 1658
MERCURIUS POLITICUS, London, England, September 2, 1658 An uncommon newsbook (the forerunner of newspapers) with the balance of the title reading "Comprising the sum of Forein Intelligence, With The Affairs now on Foot in the Three Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland. For Information of the People."
This title was published by the famed Marchamont Needham. Needham h
... See More
This title was published by the famed Marchamont Needham. Needham h
The Philadelphia Tea Party...
Item #687212
January 14, 1774
CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, Jan. 14, 1774
* The Philadelphia Tea Party
* Opposition to British taxation
* Prelude to the Revolutionary War
The front page has a report beginning: "We hear from Charles-Town [Charleston], South Carolina, that the sending back the tea ship having been by accident or design, delayed till the expiration of the 20 days after whi... 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 Honolulu newspaper on Pearl Harbor... The best "War Declared" issue ?
Item #678570
December 08, 1941
HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, Dec. 8, 1941 "Last Edition"
* War declared on Japan
* America enters World War II
* Best title to be had ? (rare)
The very famous Dec. 7 issue of this paper has been reprinted so many times that genuine issues are difficult to find, although they do exist.
Equally as rare--if not more so--is the last editio... See More
Perhaps the best Marilyn Monroe death newspaper to be had...
Item #607922
August 06, 1962
LOS ANGELES TIMES--EXTRA, California, August 6, 1962 See the photo for the terrific front page report, with the two line banner headline: "MARILYN MONROE DIES; BLAME PILLS" and also: "First Details of Actress' Death in Brentwood". The front page also features a large photo of her. Related subheads include: "Nude Body Found in Bed, Empty Capsule Bottle at Her Side"... 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
Very early newsbook from the English Civil War... The capture of Reading...
Item #692439
April 30, 1643
MERCURIUS AULICUS, Communicating the Intelligence and affaires of the Court, to the rest of the Kingdome. (Oxford), The seventeenth Weeke, (April 23-30, 1643).
This is a very early newsbook, predecessors of today's newspapers being somewhat of a transitional publication between pamphlets & newspapers, but defined specifically as periodicals by having a set period of issuance, being consec... 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
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
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
Synagogues hold memorial services... Much on the assassination & funeral of Lincoln...
Item #703852
April 21, 1865
NEW YORK HERALD, April 21, 1865 Perhaps the most noteworthy coverage is the front-page details regarding various services being held at local synagogues - which includes the congregations at "B'nai Israel" "Bikur Cholim U-Kadisha Synagogue" and "Shaari [Shaare] Zedek" with each synagogue draped in mourning black.
It is quite unusual to find front page menti... 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
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 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
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
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
Washington's first inaugural address...
Item #701534
July 02, 1789
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 2, 1789 In a day when American newspapers with the printing of Washington's inaugural address are well into four figures--if available at all--British newspaper reports become perhaps the last opportunity for a period English language printing at an accessible price.
Great that this report is entirely on the front page, headed: "America" &qu... 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wealth of discussion in Parliament on the worthiness of the Revolutionary War...
Item #703269
January 25, 1776
THE NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE O ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jan. 25, 1776 The entire front page and almost half of page 2 are taken up with reports from the House of Commons, much of the discussion relating to the war with the American colonies. One bit notes in part: "...England was never engaged in a contest of such importance to our most valuable concerns and possessions. We... See More
Dramatic issue on the San Francisco earthquake...
Item #715070
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
Capture of Ethan Allen, and so much more...
Item #701119
November 24, 1775
NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Nov. 24, 1775
* Ethan Allen captured
* American Revolutionary War
The front page has a bit noting: "...letter from General Burgoyne at Boston wherein he says that 20,000 men would be a feeble reinforcement to the army there, in their present situation." Page 2 has various tidbits relating to the war, a few including: "... See More
Dr. John Morgan defends himself as Surgeon General of the United States... Silas Deane's letter in defense of himself...
Item #701323
December 09, 1778
THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, Dec. 9, 1778
* Rare Revolutionary War American publication
New Jersey was the last of the 13 original colonies to have a newspaper. This is the volume 1, number 53 issue.
The entire front page and a portion of page 2 are taken up with a lengthy & detailed letter: "To the Citizens and Freemen of the United States of America" signed ... 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
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
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
Perhaps the best publication for any baseball collector...
Item #704614
October 10, 1867
THE BALL PLAYERS' CHRONICLE, New York, Oct. 10, 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 changing... See More
The Louisiana Purchase...
Item #702421
November 05, 1805
LANCASTER JOURNAL, Pennsylvania, Nov. 5, 1803 A very notable issue as contained on pages 1 and 2 are the: "Treaty Between the United States & the French Republic" outlining the details of what we now know as the Louisiana Purchase, followed by two Conventions of the treaty which outlined the details of the payments to France. These documents were agreed to in Paris on April 30,... See More
Broadside edition of this famous title, with good content...
Item #704385
January 08, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Jan. 8, 1782
* Very rare Broadside edition from the Revolutionary War
Apparently a quite unusual broadside edition as the issue is a single sheet with the back page blank. If page 2 had text I would suspect that the back leaf was missing, but the front page text concludes on the front page and the reverse is entirely blank.... See More
Rare and early title from Honolulu...
Item #667786
June 29, 1844
THE POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, June 29, 1844
* Very rare 19th century Hawaiian publication
One of the earliest newspapers we have offered from Hawaii, and fifteen 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... See More
References to Cornwallis' surrender... A plea to Congress by Loyalist James Rivington...
Item #687139
December 06, 1781
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781
* American Revolutionary War
* Post Surrender of Cornwallis
* Loyalist James Rivington
The masthead features 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 inscribed "Appeal To Heaven&q... 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
Washington involved in a plan to exchange prisoners...
Item #687346
May 27, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 27, 1779
* American Revolutionary War
* General George Washington
* Exchange of prisoners talks
The front page begins with two detailed reward ads for deserted soldiers.
One-third of the front page and over one-third of page 2 are taken up with the: "Report of Commissioners for Settling a Cartel for the Excha... See More
Unique "Yankee" & "Confederate" pair of the same date...
Item #696643
July 22, 1861
Here is a unique opportunity for a pair of issues--one Yankee and the other Confederate--of the identical date of July 22, 1861 both reporting on the First Battle of Bull Run, one from the New York Tribune and the other from the Confederate capital of Richmond, titled the Daily Dispatch, providing a perspective of how the news was reported with all the "spin" & biases that ... See More
Lincoln's 2nd inauguration, with his inaugural address on the front page...
Item #701971
March 06, 1865
CLEVELAND MORNING LEADER, Ohio, March 6, 1865 The front page has a stack of column heads on both Lincoln's second inauguration as President, as well as the latest reports on the Civil War's final weeks.
They include: "Inauguration Day" "President Lincoln's Address" "Celebrations of the Day Thro' out the Country" "Official War Bulletin"... See More
Washington agrees to help establish a military force... Much on the end of the war...
Item #687373
September 18, 1783
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 18, 1783
* General George Washington
* United States military force
* Revolutionary War ending events
A nice feature of the masthead is a great engraving taken from (modeled after) one done earlier by Paul Revere, showing a patriot soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll reading "Independence" in ... See More
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