The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
The King addressses Parliament on the dire situation in America...
Item #687287
February 23, 1782
THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE and GENERAL ADVERTISER, Portsmouth, Feb. 23, 1782
* Rare publication during Revolutionary War
This is certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War era.
Page 2 has a letter that notes in part: "...the Americans might yet be brought back to a constitutional subordination to this country!...". Also: "The troops destined for t... See More
George Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #686698
December 22, 1795
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Dec. 14, 1795
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Page 3 include the historic annual state-of-the-union address of President George Washington to Congress. Headed "SPEECH" it is prefaced with: "This day, precisely at 12 o'clock, The President of the United States met both Houses of Congress in the hall of the Repre... See More
The first convention of clubs: the birth of organized baseball...
Item #705413
January 31, 1857
PORTER'S SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Jan. 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 baseball.... See More
Handsome, patriotic newspaper with war-related reports...
Item #687350
March 13, 1780
THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, March 13, 1780
* One of the more patriotic mastheads from the Revolutionary War
The masthead includes one of the more patriotic engravings of the Revolutionary War, described by the motto just under the dateline: "All Hands With One Inflamed, Enlightened Heart" showing 13 arms--one for each colony--joined by holding a... See More
Famous letter from Lincoln to Greeley...
Item #691078
August 25, 1862
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, August 25, 1862
* Famous Abraham Lincoln letter
* "A Prayer of Twenty Millions" reply
* Liberal Republican Horace Greeley
The front page contains one of the more famous letters from Abraham Lincoln, being his reply to Horace Greeley's editorial of August 20, "A Prayer of Twenty Millions", which urged emancipation. Lincoln replies in h... See More
British account of the Battle of Stono Ferry, and the Battle of Chemung, New York...
Item #697637
September 02, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 2, 1779
* Battle of Stono Ferry, Charleston, South Carolina
* Battle of Chemung - New York - John Sullivan
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
Nearly one-third of page 2 is a letter from an officer in the British army from ... See More
Rare & lengthy account of Joseph Smith running for President...
Item #684969
June 08, 1844
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 8, 1844
* Joseph Smith running for U.S. president
* Mormons - Mormonism - Latter-Day Saints
It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter-Day Saints, ran for president of the United States in 1844.
After several years of harassment and persecution in Missouri and Illinois, Smith wrote to five men expected to be can... See More
Block the ports of the Massachusetts Bay colony?
Item #687129
November 06, 1770
THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Salem, Massachusetts, Nov. 6, 1770
* Colonial Massachusetts original
The front page has reports from London concerning the growing tensions with America, bits including: "...now under consideration to block up all the ports belonging to the colony of Massachusetts Bay & not to suffer the inhabitants to fish upon the banks...for one year, and to cause a... See More
Great content on the Revolutionary War... Brandywine Creek... Chesapeake Bay....
Item #687422
February 14, 1778
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE and COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Feb. 14, 1778
* American Revolutionary War
* Battle of Brandywine & more
Almost the entire front page is taken up with a report on the treatment of American captures by the British, with considerable detail.
It begins: "The following is an account of the treatment that the Continental officers, taken in the... See More
Exceedingly rare Napoleon occupation newspaper...
Item #705576
January 05, 1811
COURRIER D'AMSTERDAM or the COURIER VAN AMSTERDAM, January 5, 1811 (No. 5) 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 empire, hence this newspaper being in two languages. This issue was p... See More
1783 Washington's farewell orders to his Army... The treaty that ended the Revolutionary War...
Item #701554
December 01, 1783
THE BOSTON MAGAZINE, December, 1783
* General George Washington
* Farewell address to Continental Army
* Post American Revolutionary War
Eighteenth century American magazines are increasingly difficult to find, let alone an issue from the Revolutionary War era.
This issue begins by printing the complete text of: "General Washington's Farewell Orders to the Armies of the Un... See More
Synagogues hold memorial services... Much on the assassination & funeral of Lincoln...
Item #704120
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 on all eight pages
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... See More
The American colonies and England... Gradual Abolition Act... Early naval battle...
Item #687146
March 25, 1780
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, March 25, 1780
* American Revolutionary War
* Great masthead engraving
The front page has a fine account of a furious naval engagement between Britain and France in the Revolutionary War, involving the frigate HMS Quebec and the frigate Surveillante of the French Navy. The battle ended in a French victory when Quebec was destroyed by an exp... See More
Nice reporting on the war in the South...
Item #687291
January 25, 1781
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 25, 1781
* Rare Revolutionary War title from America
A very handsome issue as the masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll with 'Independence' in the other, with... See More
Just the second literary publication in the English language...
Item #699473
December 11, 1682
WEEKLY MEMORIALS FOR THE INGENIOUS, with the longer title including: "...Or, An Account of Books lately set forth in several Languages, With other Accounts Relating to Arts and Sciences." London, Dec. 11, 1682 This rare title existed for just 50 issues, from January 16, 1682 thru January 15, 1683. Offered is issue #48.
Records note that this was just the second literary periodical... See More
Washington, Jefferson & Adams sign an Act of Congress...
Item #700646
September 07, 1790
THE CONCORD HERALD & NEW HAMPSHIRE INTELLIGENCER, Sept. 7, 1790
* Treaty of New York
* Creek Nation - Indians
* President George Washington
* Southeast boundaries dispute
A rather scarce title, existing for just 4 years. Only 3 American institutions have this date in their collections.
* Treaty of New York
* Creek Nation - Indians
* President George Washington
* Southeast boundaries dispute
A rather scarce title, existing for just 4 years. Only 3 American institutions have this date in their collections.
The most significant content is the printing of President George Washingto
... See More
Early American title from the French & Indian War...
Item #702912
May 13, 1762
THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER AND NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE, May 13, 1762
* Rare Colonial Massachusetts
* St. Augustine, Florida
This is a much later issue of America's first successful newspaper, founded in 1704.
The top of the ftpg. has a nice recruiting advertisements to enlist soldiers to fight in the on-going French & Indian War: "For Recruiting His Majesty's Regular Forc... See More
Fife & drummer wanted... Unauthorized edition of Common Sense...
Item #704397
January 20, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Jan. 20, 1776 Great to offer an American newspaper dated in 1776 and from Philadelphia.
Most of the front page is taken up with a detailed description on how to make saltpetre (potassium nitrate), one of the principal ingredients in the making of gunpowder.
Page 2 has reports from London with one references to forts in America, and page 3 contai... See More
Report of Cornwallis's surrender, and Cornwallis' letter in which he admits being in a critical state...
Item #658843
February 26, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Feb. 26, 1782
* Surrender of Lord Charles Cornwallis
* Revolutionary War - Yorktown, Virginia
The most historic content is on page 3 which begins with a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Lord George Germain, dated October 19, 1781. It contains in part: "...sailed from Sandy Hook on the 16th instant and arrived off... See More
The Howe's offer pardon to those who return their allegiance to the King...
Item #703273
December 19, 1776
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 19, 1776
* Great year to have in a publication (1776)
* General William Howe offers pardons - clemency
* American patriots asked to pledge oath to the crown
Taking close to half of the front page is a notable: "PROCLAMATION" by Richard Viscount Howe and William Howe.
Keeping in mind that Washington had ju... See More
New Orleans document for the sale of a woman slave...
Item #701390
March 05, 1849
New Orleans slave sale document: A part-printed, part-handwritten document headed "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. State of Louisiana" for the sale of a slave.
The full text can be seen in the photos, however portions include: "...he does...grant, bargain sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver...Unto Sean Nontanee...of this city...purchasing for himself, his heir and assigns, a negro... See More
First report: Lincoln's assassination...
Item #690672
April 20, 1865
THE JOURNAL & COURIER, Little Falls, New York, April 20, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
Being a weekly newspaper this issue has the first report of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. All columns on all pages have wide, black mourning rules.
The front page has: "The Great Calamity" which is an essay on Lincol... See More
Nice broadside on President Garfield's condition...
Item #695782
August 28, 1881
THE CHRONICLE--EXTRA, Sunday, August 28, 1881
* President James A. Garfield
A great, narrow slip of paper which is a broadside (printed on one side only) extra edition of this newspaper (no city or state are noted), created to announce good news concerning the recently assassinated President James Garfield".
Printed in one-column format the headlines at the top of the broadside ... See More
Terrific Honolulu newspaper, one day after Pearl Harbor...
Item #698121
December 08, 1941
THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER, Hawaii, Dec. 8, 1941
* Attack on Pearl Harbor
* U.S. to enter World War II
* Best publication to be had
Fully one-third of the newspaper, above the masthead, is taken up with a dramatic three line banner headline: "SABOTEURS LAND HERE ! Britain, Australia Declare War ! " with various related subheads as well including: "Raiders Return In Dawn A... See More
One of the more scarce titles we've offered...
Item #699478
December 03, 1681
THE CURRANT INTELLIGENCE, London, Dec. 3, 1681 This is a very rare newspaper that lasted but eight months under this variant title. This is Crane & Kaye title #161, and it notes that only one American institution has this issue.
The front page begins with a report of an attempt to kidnap the Prince of Orange, later to be King William III. It notes in part: "We are not here a little... See More
Neil Armstrong steps on the moon in 1969...
Item #705601
July 21, 1969
WAPAKONETA DAILY NEWS, Ohio, July 21, 1969 A great issue on this significant event as this newspaper is from Neil Armstrong's hometown. Typically issues of this date carried a headline "Man Walks On Moon" but this hometown newspaper personalized the report honoring their local hero with: "NEIL STEPS ON THE MOON".
This is likely the only newspaper in the country with ... See More
Anger at Burgoyne for surrendering at Saratoga... Paine talks of "Common Sense"...
Item #703514
September 14, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 1779
* Battles of Saratoga - New York
* John Burgoyne defeat criticized
* Thomas Paine re. Common Sense
One-third of the front page and most of a column on page 2 are taken up with a wonderful letter "To Lt. General Burgoyne".
Portions include: "...Hear then, General Burgoyne, what the people know & learn what they ... See More
Letters from Valley Forge, and much more...
Item #701315
June 23, 1778
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 23, 1778 Most of the front page is taken up with an address of the governor of New Jersey to the General Assembly concerning the Revolutionary War.
It begins: "I heartily congratulate you upon the agreeable news we have received from France...The treaties of alliance & of amity & commerce between his Most Christian Majesty & the Unite... See More
From Houston during the Civil War...
Item #690808
April 10, 1865
THE HOUSTON TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 10, 1865
* Very rare issue from the Southwest Confederacy
* Last days of the American Civil War
Newspapers from Texas are very uncommon, particularly from before or during the Civil War period.
Here is an issue from two days after Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, containing three dispatches about the Union assault ... See More
Parliament discusses the American situation... Supplement issue as well...
Item #704393
January 11, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Jan. 11, 1776
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
Wonderful to find a newspapers not just dated 1776, but from Philadelphia.
The entire front page is taken up with political issues in England with much relating to America. Portions include: "...The arguments in the House of Peers turned entirely on American ... See More
The six issue set on the life of Bob Dylan...
Item #698556
March 20, 1969
THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York A six issue set of issues containing the entire series of six articles on the life & career of Bob Dylan. The dates are March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17 and 24, 1969.
All are authored by Toby Thompson when he traveled to Dylan's hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota. Each of the articles have a subtitle: "A Good Family Boy" "Join the Elvis Rebellion&... See More
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
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
Best San Francisco earthquake issue to be had...
Item #705521
April 19, 1906
THE CALL-CHRONICLE-EXAMINER, San Francisco, California, April 19, 1906 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, these three separate & competing newspapers combin... 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
George Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #704074
November 14, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1792 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 and which carries on to this day. There is a prefacing paragraph hea... 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
Terrific letter praising Common Sense... So much more...
Item #704677
April 09, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 9, 1776
* re. Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"
* American Revolutionary War era
* Great year to have (1776)
This issue has some very significant front page content, as the entire first of two columns is taken up with Resolves from Congress dated April 6.
They include allowing exports from the colonies to any ... 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
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
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An Inside Look
Timothy Hughes Rare &
Early Newspapers…
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to the staff of WGRC!
to the staff of WGRC!
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
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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
