The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
A fine & decorative issue from the Revolutionary War...
Item #689458
November 11, 1780
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 11, 1780
* Revolutionary War
* Great masthead
Over half of the front page is a: "Message from the President & Supreme Executive Council to the Representatives of...Pennsylvania" in which are addressed many issues.
A few bits include: "...when our enemies, forsaking in no small degree the efforts of open and manly force, b... See More
End of war reports... Proclamation signed by John Hanson, the first President?
Item #694963
November 05, 1782
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR, THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 1782
* Revolutionary War ending events
* John Hanson - 1st American president ?
Page 2 has a lengthy letter which is reflective of the American-British relationship in the past. A few bits include: "...they have not duly considered the solid reasons and unanswerable arguments of the worthy, upright pe... See More
The great Philadelphia State House print...
Item #704435
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, September, 1752* Pennsylvania State House
* Philadelphia PA print
* Independence Hall
Despite the 48 pages of text within this issue the prime content is certainly the full page plate captioned: "A View of the State House in Philadelphia" which would later be known as Independence Hall.
This is a print of this famous building 24 years before it... See More
John Wilkes Booth appears at Ford's Theater...
Item #663055
November 14, 1863
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 14, 1863
* Actor John Wilkes Booth
* Ford's Theatre performance
* Rare appearance w/ advertisement
* President Abraham Lincoln's assassin
A terrific issue with one of the more ironic twists of history, and only to be found in a newspaper from Washington, D.C.
The front page has an advertisement headed: "FORD'S NE... See More
Much on the exchange of prisoners in prison ships... British have evacuated the South...
Item #698404
July 17, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, July 17, 1781
* American Revolutionary War
* Ship prisoners exchanged
* Southern colonies evacuation (British)
The front page has several letters from British Lt. Col. Balfour, most dealing with discussion for an exchange of prisoners with General Greene.
This discussion carries over to page 2 where is found a letter dat... See More
From Houston during the Civil War...
Item #698268
November 09, 1864
THE HOUSTON TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, Nov. 9, 1864
* Very rare issue from the Southwest Confederacy
Newspapers from Texas are very uncommon, particularly from before or during the Civil War period. Here is an issue from the midst of the war, one of the earliest war-dated issues we have offered in recent years.
The front page has over 2 columns taken up with a terrific speech given by Jeff... See More
Terrific foldout map of St. Augustine, Florida, & vicinity... And a map of Chagre, Panama...
Item #702514
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1740
* Early and rare 18th century maps
* St. Augustine, Florida as English camp
* Atlantic Ocean - West Indies
Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the terrific foldout map titled: "A View of the Town and Castle of St. Augustine, & the English Camp before it June 20
... See More
* Early and rare 18th century maps
* St. Augustine, Florida as English camp
* Atlantic Ocean - West Indies
Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the terrific foldout map titled: "A View of the Town and Castle of St. Augustine, & the English Camp before it June 20
Battle of Green Spring... Great reports on the Revolutionary War...
Item #698072
August 14, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, August 14, 1781
* Battle of Green Spring
* James County, Virginia
* American Revolutionary War
The front page has news from captured correspondence including: "The revolt of the Pennsylvania line & Jersey brigade...are certainly events of very great importance, & must have very extensive effects both in reduc... See More
Reference to the 1666 Great Fire of London...
Item #679631
October 04, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Oct. 4, 1666
* The great plague
* London fire report
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 tit... See More
Beginning of the Australian Gold Rush: New South Wales would be changed forever...
Item #691164
September 19, 1851
THE TIMES, London, Sept. 19, 1851
* First Australian gold rush
* Colony of New South Wales
Page 4 has over two columns taken up with an excellent article concerning the New South Wales Gold Rush in Australia.
The gold rush began a bit earlier in 1851. This period in the history of New South Wales resulted in a rapid growth in the population and significant boost to the economy of the... See More
Jim Thorpe at the 1912 Olympics...
Item #695620
July 19, 1912
VALLEY SENTINEL, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1912
* Jim Thorpe wins Olympic gold medal
* Decathlon - Stockholm Summer Olympic
* Best publication to be had (very rare)
Although legendary athlete Jim Thorpe was born & grew up in Oklahoma, he has very close ties with the city of Carlisle. It was in 1904 when Thorpe attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School that his incredi... See More
The Boston Massacre: two great reports...
Item #702493
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1770* The Boston Massacre
* Historic reporting
Certainly the most notable item in this issue is the report on the Boston Massacre.
The entirety of page 2 is taken up with an excellent & historic report of the Boston Massacre, headed: "AMERICAN AFFAIRS" and the article prefaced with: "The following Report of the Committee of t... See More
President Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #686595
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, December, 1790 * President George Washington
* 2nd State of the Union Address
Certainly the most notable content is the 1 1/2 pages taken up with: "President Washington's Speech" which was his second state-of-the-union address, signed by him in type: George Washington.
The balance of the issue is taken up with a wide range... See More
Defending Edgar Allan Poe... Significant Poe issue...
Item #687859
May 19, 1853
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 19, 1853 Page 2 has almost an entire column taken up with a very notable article headed: "Edgar A. Poe, by Henry Clay Preuss".
As a bit of background, the following from eapoe.org is very helpful:
“In the decade following Poe’s death, periodical writers on both sides of the Atlantic disputed his place in American
... See More
Perhaps the best graphic Lincoln newspaper to be had...
Item #689046
March 09, 1861
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, March 9, 1861
* Perhaps the best graphic Lincoln newspaper to be had...
The front page has text on: "Our Portrait of the President" which relates to the terrific double page centerfold captioned: "Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, President elect of the United States of America, With Scenes & Incidents in His Life."
The larg... See More
John Wilkes Booth appears at Ford's Theater...
Item #689534
November 05, 1863
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 5, 1863
* John Wilkes Booth as an actor
* Rare appearance at Ford's Theatre
A terrific issue with one of the more ironic twists of history, and only to be found in a newspaper from Washington, D.C.
Near the top of the front page is an article headed: "Ford's New Theatre--The Lady of Lyons". The writer reports on t... See More
Texas becomes a state: from the nation's capital...
Item #689614
December 30, 1845
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 30, 1845
* Texas statehood
* Joins the Union
* Nation's capital
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 4, under the heading "Texas", is half a column reporting on the discussions on the ad... See More
Lengthy on Abraham Lincoln and his 'Spot Resolutions" in Congress...
Item #692512
December 22, 1847
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 22, 1847
* Early Abraham Lincoln
* Spot Resolutions in Congress
Page 2 has an uncommonly lengthy report from [Abraham] Lincoln in the House of Representatives. This was his "spot resolution" and speech condemning the reasons for starting the Mexican War. He requests proof from President Polk that American blood wa
... See More
* Early Abraham Lincoln
* Spot Resolutions in Congress
Page 2 has an uncommonly lengthy report from [Abraham] Lincoln in the House of Representatives. This was his "spot resolution" and speech condemning the reasons for starting the Mexican War. He requests proof from President Polk that American blood wa
The capture of New York by the British... Great map of Connecticut & Rhode Island...
Item #677988
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1776 * Capture of New York City
* Rare Connecticut & Rhode Island map
* American Revolutionary War
This issue begins with "Proceedings in the House of Commons..." which includes discussion on the Revolutionary War, including: "...Nothing could have afforded me so much satisfaction as to have been able to inform you... See More
Nice on the Battle of Rhode Island...
Item #701316
September 10, 1778
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 10, 1778
* Battle of Rhode Island
* General Nathanael Greene
* In a American publication
The front page has a few small bits relating to the Revolutionary War in America. Page 2 begins with a lengthy account of a battle between a British & a French ship.
Page 3 has a listing of: "...the Killed, Wounded a... See More
England declares war against France: The French & Indian War begins...
Item #702243
May 22, 1756
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, May 22 1756
* England declaration of war w/ France
The most significant item in this issue is: "His Majesty's Declaration of War Against the French King" which was the official beginning of the French & Indian War. It was prompted by England & France not being able to compromise on the border between their colonies in North... See More
Very rare "camp" newspaper from the near beginning of the Civil War...
Item #701669
July 04, 1861
THE NATIONAL GUARD, Camp Pennsylvania, Baltimore, July 4, 1861
* Very rare Union Civil War camp publication
* 19th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
A very rare "camp" newspaper from the early months of the Civil War. Although it began in July, 1856 printed at Camp McLellan, Lancaster, Pa., it was resurrected in early 1861 at its new location, hence the "vol. 2 no. 3"... See More
Edmund Burke's conciliatory plan...
Item #703310
May 13, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 13, 1775
* Edmund Burke - Anglo-Irish statesman speech
* Conciliatory plan with the American colonies
* Prelude to the American Revolutionary War
All of pages 1 and 2 are taken up with continued discussion in the House of Lords: "Authentic Debates on the New-England Fishery Bill". This was one of the notable Restraining Acts... See More
Lengthy on Lincoln taking center stage on the debate regarding the Mexican War...
Item #692510
January 20, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., January 20, 1848
* Early Abraham Lincoln
* Speech re. Mexican War
The back page has an uncommonly lengthy report on Lincoln speaking in the House of Representatives questioning President Polk's judgement on entering and prosecuting the Mexican War.
This Lincoln report takes fully 2 1/2 columns. Portions include: "...Mr. LINC
... See More
* Early Abraham Lincoln
* Speech re. Mexican War
The back page has an uncommonly lengthy report on Lincoln speaking in the House of Representatives questioning President Polk's judgement on entering and prosecuting the Mexican War.
This Lincoln report takes fully 2 1/2 columns. Portions include: "...Mr. LINC
Tonnage Act: further defining the historic Tariff Act of 1789..
Item #686033
July 24, 1789
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, July 24, 1789
* Tariff Act of 1789 (Tonnage)
* George Washington signs
* 1st major piece of legislation
The entire front page is taken up with ads including 7 illustrated ship ads.
Page 2 has an address to George Washington from the governor & council of North Carolina, which is followed by his reply which carries ove... See More
"Mr. Lincoln...is rising in prominence" says it all...
Item #713891
May 15, 1860
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, May 15, 1860 This issue is one of those so desired by collectors, when innocent reports--often inconspicuous amongst the jumble of lengthier articles--wold only find relevance in the passing of years.
Keep in mind that at this point, the Republican National Convention in Chicago had yet to formally begin (May 16-18) and Abraham Lincoln was pretty much an unknow... See More
Much on events in the South: General Greene & others...
Item #697888
March 13, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, March 13, 1781
* Rare Revolutionary War title
* General Nathanael Greene
* Battle of Cowpens - SC
* Events in the South
Most of the front page is taken up with reports concerning the: "Account of the Examination& Commitment of John Trumbull, for High Treason", some of the "rebel governor" of Conne... See More
In a pro-South newspaper: Lincoln's inaugural address on the front page...
Item #701259
March 08, 1865
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, March 8, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln's inauguration
* Inaugural address on the ftpg.
* Closing weeks of the Civil War - pro-Confederate title
Among the front page reports is: "Inauguration of President Lincoln--His Address" which contains his address in full, ending with the immortal words: "With malice towards none, with charity for all, wit... See More
Terrific issue on the Hindenburg tragedy...
Item #698116
May 07, 1937
SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER--EXTRA, May 7, 1937
* Hindenburg airship disaster
* Lakehurst NJ New Jersey
* Great headline for display
One of the very best, dramatic banner headlines we have offered on this historic catastrophe: "DIRIGIBLE HINDENBURG EXPLODES, 90 KILLED". A large front page photo shows the Hindenburg over the New York skyline, headed: "Giant Airliner That Fe... See More
Announcement: The Louisiana Purchase is signed...
Item #704082
July 11, 1803
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, July 11, 1803
* The Louisiana Purchase Treaty
* Signed by U.S. & France ministers
* Expansion of the United States
This newspaper has one of the more decorative mastheads of the era.
Page 2 has a NOTICE, let in larger type than normal, headed: "OFFICIAL" announcing: "The Executive has received official information
... See More
* The Louisiana Purchase Treaty
* Signed by U.S. & France ministers
* Expansion of the United States
This newspaper has one of the more decorative mastheads of the era.
Page 2 has a NOTICE, let in larger type than normal, headed: "OFFICIAL" announcing: "The Executive has received official information
Rare and early title from Honolulu...
Item #668087
August 31, 1844
THE POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, Aug. 31, 1844
* Very rare 19th century Hawaiian publication
One of the earliest newspapers we have offered from Hawaii, and fourteen years earlier than the few of this title we offered in recent years.
The "first series" of this title existed for just 1 1/2 years from 1840 to 1841. It proved unprofitable and was shut down. Th... See More
Cornwallis surrenders to Washington at Yorktown...
Item #702513
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1782 This issue contains the very historic report of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. An inside page has a nice report headed: "Extract of a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton" which begins: "...I had the honour to acquaint your Lordship with my fears respecting the fate of the army in Virginia. It no... See More
Execution of Col. Isaac Hayne, and much more...
Item #687094
October 11, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, October 11, 1781
* American Revolutionary War original
* American Issac Hayne's execution - hanging
Most of the front page is taken up with various correspondences from and to C. Fraser, Isaac Hayne, Lord Rawdon & John Collock, with a prefacing note: "The following are authentic copies of sundry papers which Col. Isaac Hayne, two ... See More
Much on Lewis & Clark & their exploration to the Pacific...
Item #678714
October 02, 1807
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 1807
* Lewis and Clark expedition
Page 3 has a very lengthy: "Proposals...For Publishing LEWIS and CLARK'S Tour to the Pacific Ocean, through the Interior of the Continent of North America..." noting the details that will be in "Volume First" as well as "Volume Second". And this is followed by another d... See More
Very rare "camp" newspaper from near the beginning of the Civil War...
Item #701671
June 26, 1861
THE NATIONAL GUARD, Camp Pennsylvania, Baltimore, June 26, 1861
* Very rare Union Civil War camp publication
* 19th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
A very rare "camp" newspaper from the early months of the Civil War. Although it began in July, 1856 printed at Camp McLellan, Lancaster, Pa., it was resurrected in early 1861 at its new location, hence the "vol. 2 no. 1&quo... See More
A Loyalist states why America is at war...
Item #689079
February 28, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, Feb. 28, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
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.
Half of the front page first column is a: "Proclamation" signe... See More
Ruth slams 3 homers in one World Series game...
Item #681343
October 07, 1926
ALLENTOWN MORNING CALL, Pennsylvania, Oct. 7, 1926
* Babe Ruth hits 3 home runs
* World Series of baseball
* New York Yankees
In the annals of World Series history one of the outstanding events remains Babe Ruth hitting three home runs in the fourth game of the 1926 World Series. That event is reported in this issue.
Of significance--and not commonly found--is the great front page c... See More
Very displayable Thomas Nast Santa Claus on the front page...
Item #697290
January 03, 1874
HARPER'S WEEKLY January 3, 1874
* Thomas Nast
* Santa Claus
* Christmas
The entire front page features a terrific & very desirable Thomas Nast illustration: "Christmas Eve - Santa Claus Waiting for the Children to Get to Sleep." This is one of Nast's more iconic Santa images, often reproduced for advertising, promotions, etc. in recent years.
Thomas Nast ... See More
Adams's inauguration: the peaceful transfer of power...
Item #682538
March 13, 1797
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, March 13, 1797
* John Adams inauguration
* Thomas Jefferson
A very historic issue as it reports the true test of the great American republic: the peaceful transfer of power.
Page 2 has a report noting in part: "On Saturday at twelve o'clock...soon after his election, JOHN ADAMS as President of the United States attended in the Chamber of th... See More
A newspaper promoting the spelling of words phonetically...
Item #695804
May 29, 1847
AI ANGLO SACSUN, New York, May 29, 1847
* Promoting the spelling of words phonetically
Here is one of the more fascinating newspapers that was in the private collection.
This newspaper--which is volume 1, number 11--attempted to exploit a movement to spell words phonetically, just as they sounded. So their motto in the dateline is: "Devoted Tu Ai Difyushun ov Nolej and Nuz, Tru ... See More
Jews are banished from Vienna, Austria...
Item #680363
July 28, 1670
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 28, 1670
* Jews are expelled from Vienna (Austria)
* The synagogue has been removed!
* Extremely rare reporting
* Only the 5th year of L.G.'s publication
The top of the front page has a report from Vienna noting: "The Jews have offered great sums of money to the Emperor to dispence with his order for their banishment, or at least to give le... See More
Latest news from the Revolutionary War...
Item #658578
May 15, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 15, 1781
* Rare American Revolutionary War publication
The front page has a brief item: "The American spy, mentioned a few days since, is taken at Harwich and will be examined before the Privy-Council. Many papers were found upon his person, touching a treasonable correspondence."
The front page also has some ... See More
George Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #686710
November 14, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1792
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Taking over half of the front page and concluding on page two where it is signed in script type: G. Washington, is President George Washington's "Speech to Both Houses of Congress".
This was his annual state-of-the-union address, a tradition which he initiated in 1790 a... See More
Fate of Col. Hayne... The Asgill Affair... Keep fighting, or not
Item #687347
May 02, 1782
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1782
* American Revolutionary War
The front page begins with a lengthy report headed: "Office of Finance" signed by: Robert Morris.
Page 2 begins with a very fine & detailed letter from Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis dated Sept. 9, 1781, being an account of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South ... See More
Jack the Ripper stalks London... In a London newspaper...
Item #704930
October 06, 1888
THE TIMES, London, England, October 6, 1888 During the last half of 1888 the East End of London, primarily the Whitechapel district, was terrorized by a murderer who came to be known as Jack The Ripper. His infamous & brutal crime spree was reported in newspapers around the world--indeed, most American newspapers from 1888 reported his deeds.
But certainly the very best newspaper to fin... See More
Further on Ethan Allen's narrative of his captivity...
Item #687145
November 20, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1779
* Ethan Allen captivity
* Revolutionary War original
Most of the front page is taken up with an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, prefaced with a paragraph signed in type by the Clerk of the General Assembly, none other than: Thomas Paine.
Page 3 has yet another Act which is prefaced with an intro signed: Thomas Paine.
All of ... See More
George Washington and the Newburgh Conspiracy...
Item #694966
October 07, 1783
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, October 7, 1783
* Newburgh Conspiracy plan
* General George Washington
* Revolutionary War ending events
Both the front page and page 2 have nice, lengthy letters concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy of that time.
The Newburgh Conspiracy was a plan by Continental Army officers to challenge the authority of the Confederation Congress, arising from
... See More
On the resignation of General Burgoyne...
Item #689187
April 18, 1780
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & THE WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 18, 1780
* General John Burgoyne resignation
* re. Surrender at Saratoga - New York
* American Revolutionary War
The entire front page, two-thirds of page 2, and half of page 3 are taken up with: "...the various letters that passed between the late and present secretary at War and Lieutenant General Burgoyne... See More
Reference to Lexington & Concord... The Restraining Act of 1775...
Item #703309
June 13, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, June 13, 1775 The entire front page, all of page 2, and over half of page 3 are taken up with: "An Act to restrain the trade and commerce of the colonies of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Southern Carolina, to Great Britain, Ireland and the British Islands in the West Indies, under certain conditions & limitations (phot... See More
Signficant ad & review of the first modern musical...
Item #650731
September 17, 1866
NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 17, 1866 Although an inconspicuous listing on page 7, the advertisement for the Broadway production of the "Black Crook" is quite significant. And even more significant is the page 4 review of the production, as the "Black Crook" is honored in theater history as the first modern musical.
As Wikipedia notes: "Its significance is being consi... See More
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