The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
First American railroad publication: progress of masthead & title changes...
Item #701984
February 08, 1834
AMERICAN RAILROAD JOURNAL, New York
* Very early & rare railroad periodical
* Trains - locomotives - lot of 6 issues
This title was the very first American periodical on railroading. Offered here is a lot of 6 issues from its earliest years, showing the change in title and masthead engravings during a brief 16-month period.
The lot begins with vol. 1 number 1 dated Jan. 2, ... 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
Washington's Farewell Address...
Item #703934
November 14, 1796
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Nov. 14, 1796
* President George Washington
* Farewell Address (retirement)
Taking a full column on the front page, all of pages 2, and a bit of page 3 is an historic report headed "AMERICA - The President's Speech To the United States off America", more commonly known as Washington's Farewell Address.
The nation&... See More
Great 1773 map of the western hemisphere...
Item #704974
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1773 * Captain James Cook
* North America map
Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the nice foldout map that accompanies the lengthy article: "Epitome of Lieut. Cooke's Voyage Round the World", showing most of North America, all of South America down to Cape Horn, and even portions of West Africa, Spain, France &... See More
Fear that the new government in America will fail...
Item #705297
February 13, 1784
THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Feb. 13, 1784 Page 4 has an interesting letter from Philadelphia to a friend in Glasgow noting in part: "Our government...is not yet well established; and I am really afraid that this country will experience some dreadful political convulsion before this desirable establishment takes place...different bodies...of the different colonies, and jealousy o... 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
The Act creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #698020
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, March, 1791* First Bank of the United States creation
The issue begins with textual: "Sketches of the President Of the United States" which is nearly a 4 1/2 page biography of George Washington (the plate called for is lacking). Also inside is the conclusion of: "Description of Cape Cod & the County of Barnstable" which takes 2 1/2... See More
The first (and last?) issue published... Very rare Thomas Nast cartoon...
Item #715862
November 03, 1877
THE PEOPLE, New York, Nov. 3, 1877 A quite rare title as we can find nothing concerning it. It is not in Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" and it is too late for the American Antiquarian Society. Nothing can be found online. This is the volume 1, number 1 issue, and perhaps the last? Their motto in the masthead has: "Government of the people, by the people... See More
Rare reference to both the Great Fire & the Great Plague...
Item #695842
October 01, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Oct. 1, 1666
* The great plague
* London fire report
The back page contains a report: "The Plague continuing still very dangerous at Cambridge, Peterborough, and other places near the City of Ely, the Lord Bishop of Ely hath thought fit to prohibit the holding of the Fairs of St. Luke & St. Audrey at Ely this instant October." plus the back ... See More
Great foldout map of "West Florida" from Pensacola to New Orleans...
Item #655983
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1772* Nice map of "West Florida"
* Pensacola, Florida, to New Orleans, Louisiana
* Plate of a rare bird from the Hudson Bay
Certainly the most notable item in this issue is the very nice foldout map titled: "A Map of Part of WEST FLORIDA" from Pensacola to the Mouth of Iberville River, with a View to shew the Proper Spot ... See More
The beginning of the U.S. Navy's relationship with San Diego...
Item #704628
May 01, 1917
EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, California, May 1, 1917 A terrific and very displayable issue on the founding era of the United States Navy's relationship with San Diego, one which has grown tremendously ever since 1917 to become the home port of the Pacific Fleet, a base composed of 13 piers, with over 24,000 military personnel and over 10,000 civilian workers. The U.S. Navy remains a... See More
An incredible display issue on the end of World War II...
Item #705320
August 14, 1945
THE WILMINGTON NEWS--EXTRA, North Carolina, August 14, 1945
* World War II ends
* Japanese surrenders
* Terrific headline for display
When it comes to huge, screaming headlines on the end of World War II they can't possibly get much better than this.
Taking about three-quarters of the front page, in letters 8 1/4 and 4 7/8 inches high, is: "JAPS QUIT ! " with sub... See More
On Lincoln's seminal speech which lead to the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates...
Item #705620
July 06, 1857
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 6, 1857
* Abraham Lincoln speech
* Springfield, Illinois
* Lincoln-Douglas debates prelude
Page 3 has nearly 2 columns taken up with a seminal report on Lincoln's political career. Lincoln had been in the audience when Stephen Douglas made his June 12 speech defending the Dred Scott Decision of 3 months prior. Lincoln gave a speech on June 26 in which... See More
Jailed for support of the Americans... No independence for America...
Item #698402
April 09, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 9, 1782
* American Revolutionary War
* America sympathizers jailed
* Independence ?
Page 2 includes: "The enemy in New York are busy in prosecuting their canal...They are also erecting a line of works on Long Island...His Excellency GENERAL WASHINGTON and his Lady arrived last Monday at Head Quarters, New-Burg,... See More
From Texas during the Civil War...
Item #696937
September 23, 1864
GALVESTON TRI-WEEKLY NEWS, Houston, Texas, Sept. 23, 1864
* Very rare issue from the Southwest Confederacy
Although the title notes "Galveston" the dateline notes it was printed in nearby Houston, as it is likely moving a bit more inland offered greater security from the Yankee forces.
Confederate newspapers from Texas are very uncommon particularly from before or during the... See More
Washington's anger over the murder of Captain Huddy...
Item #697218
May 21, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 21, 1782
* Captain Joshua Huddy execution - hanging
* General George Washington angry reaction
* American Revolutionary War
Two-thirds of the front page is taken up with "Debates in the House of Commons Upon the American War". An excellent report providing much insight into the discussions on the troubling si... See More
Cornwallis surrenders to Washington at Yorktown...
Item #718116
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1782 * Lord Charles Cornwallis
* General George Washington
* Surrender at Yorktown - Virginia
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 th... See More
Lincoln's second inauguration...
Item #691247
March 06, 1865
NEW YORK HERALD, March 6, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln 2nd inauguration
* Closing weeks of the Civil War
* Assassination nears
Page 4 headlines at the top of last column about the second inauguration of Abraham Lincoln include: "INAUGURATION" "Our Report of the Second Installation of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States" "Scenes at the White House in the Str... See More
George Washington is elected President... Dr. Rush's "Moral/Temperance Thermometer"... Franklin letter...
Item #668658
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, May, 1789* George Washington elected 1st president of U.S.
* From the enemy just after the Revolutionary War
Certainly the most significant---and very historic--report in this issue is the account under the heading "America" of George Washington being elected the first President of the United States. The full text can be seen in ... See More
Is the pursuit of independence worth the effort?
Item #689081
April 22, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, April 22, 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.
Over two-thirds of the front page is taken up with the text of two Bill... See More
Preparing for the final events at Yorktown... Tragic case of Col. Isaac Haynes...
Item #698643
October 02, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Oct. 2, 1781
* Rare American Revolutionary War publication
Most of the front page is taken up with reports and correspondence concerning the case of Col. Isaac Haynes, the American officer hanged by the British for a controversial charge. One series of letters is prefaced with: "The following are authentic copies of su... See More
Much on Lewis & Clark & their exploration to the Pacific...
Item #715881
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
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown...
Item #686462
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1781* Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown VA Virginia
* Revolutionary War from the enemy
Certainly the most historic report in this issue--and perhaps in any issue from the Revolutionary War--is that near the back of the issue under the "Historical Chronicle". It begins with an editorial comment: &qu... See More
Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox", plus much more...
Item #701392
October 28, 1782
INDEPENDENT LEDGER, AND AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Oct. 28, 1782
* "The Swamp Fox" Francis Marion
* American Revolutionary War
* Great masthead engraving for display
One of the best features of this issue is the masthead engraving, which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united colonies hav... See More
Woodhull & Claflin open the first women's brokerage firm on Wall Street...
Item #705681
February 05, 1870
NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 5, 1870
* Historic 1st female Wall Street brokerage opens
* Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin sisters
* "The Bewitching Brokers" shatters tradition
The top of the back page has an intriguing report of a very notable--yet widely unknown--Wall Street "first".
Under the column heads: "THE QUEENS OF FINANCE" "The Palac... See More
Nazis quit: the desired Germany edition... Best of the six editions we've offered...
Item #714036
May 08, 1945
THE STARS AND STRIPES - EXTRA, Germany Edition, May 8, 1945 This famous newspaper is subtitled: "Daily News of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations", and being the "Germany Edition" it is perhaps the very best newspaper in which to have the historic report of V-E Day, the end of World War II in Europe.
"Stars And Stripes" had at least s... See More
Reports on Lincoln's inauguration in this racist newspaper...
Item #680176
March 04, 1865
NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, March 4, 1865
* Rare pro-white publication
* Abraham Lincoln inauguration
* Closing weeks of the Civil War
A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. This issue has much reporting and editorializing on Lincoln's inauguration, both with a strong bias against Lincoln.
Some articles area hea... See More
Trial of Burgoyne over his surrender at Saratoga...
Item #703517
September 24, 1778
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 24, 1778
* General John Burgoyne
* Surrender at Saratoga
* Revolutionary War
* British scrutiny in Britain
The entire front page and part of page 2 are taken up with a lengthy & very detailed account of the trial of General Burgoyne concerning his surrender of the post at Saratoga.
* General John Burgoyne
* Surrender at Saratoga
* Revolutionary War
* British scrutiny in Britain
The entire front page and part of page 2 are taken up with a lengthy & very detailed account of the trial of General Burgoyne concerning his surrender of the post at Saratoga.
The report beg
... See More
Great account of the siege of Fort Schuyler...
Item #697860
September 04, 1777
THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 4, 1777
* Siege of Fort Stanwix - Schuyler
* American Revolutionary War
Page 3 has Revolutionary War content including an item reading: "We hear Sir William Howe has requested his Majesty, for very essential reasons, to allow him to exchange General Lee for some British officers; but that such a measure has been stro... See More
Naval battle between the Americans & British... Franklin the 'old fox'...
Item #697389
January 03, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, January 3, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
This was a Tory newspaper published in Philadelphia when the British occupied the city. It began in 1775 and ended when the British evacuated the city in May of 1778. Not surprisingly, the masthead features an engravi... See More
Terrific & displayable issue with front page discussion from London on the futility of the war...
Item #697887
April 30, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, April 30, 1782
* Rare American Revolutionary War publication
A terrific front page as it is entirely taken up with reports of discussions in the "House of Commons" mostly focused on the Revolutionary War and the futility of continuing it.
A few bits include: "That it is the opinion of the house that the war ... See More
Beginning of the Impressionist movement in France...
Item #701064
May 13, 1876
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, May 13, 1876 (at a special price)
* Impressionism - art movement begins (historic)
This is an exceedingly significant newspaper on the founding of the Impressionist movement in art.
Page 2 has an inconspicuous yet quite historic report which essentially reports on the beginning of the Impressionist movement in the art world in France. Those artists now known as the &... See More
The yacht 'America' wins the first of what will become the America's Cup race...
Item #701518
August 25, 1851
THE TIMES, London, Aug. 25, 1851
* 1st America's Cup
* Yacht "America" wins
Nearly half of page 5 is taken up with very detailed accounts of: "The Cowes Regatta" in England, which would become known as the famed America's Cup race.
This was the very first of this iconic race, and since won by the yacht "America" it would forever become known as t... See More
Rare 19th century Alaska newspaper: first we have seen...
Item #697341
September 26, 1892
THE ALASKA HERALD, Sitka, Sept. 26, 1892
* Very rare Alaska Territorial issue
A quite rare newspaper from Alaska which existed for just over two years, from June 27, 1892 thru Sept. 23, 1894. This is the volume 1, number 14 issue.
This is the first of this title we have encountered in our 47+ years.
Four pages, 11 by 16 inches, printed on high-quality newsprint, pages 2 & 3 have... See More
Broadside "Extra" of the Pennsylvania Gazette...
Item #694986
May 17, 1771
POSTSCRIPT EXTRAORDINARY to the PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE....Philadelphia, May 17, 1771
* Very rare "extra" edition broadside
* Pre-Revolutionary War America
A very handsome broadside (printed on one side only) "Extra" edition of the famous newspapers, owned by Ben Franklin during the previous decade.
The reports are news items from London brought over in the ships L... See More
The historic Boston Non-Importation Agreement...
Item #700584
May 15, 1769
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 15, 1769
* The Boston Non-Importation Agreement
* Boycott of British goods b merchants & traders
* Rare Colonial Pennsylvania publication
The entire front page is taken up with: "The Speech of Th-m-s P--wn--ll, Esq. in the House of "Commons, in Favour of America" which is an interesting defen... See More
Wishful thinking on the fate of Cornwallis at Yorktown...
Item #704706
January 29, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Jan. 29, 1782
* Lord Charles Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown
* Revolutionary War
The front page is mostly taken up with: "An Ordinance Ascertaining What Captures on Water Shall be Lawful". This lengthy text carries over to take close to half of page 2 & is signed in type by: John Hanson, President of Congr... See More
Timely report of the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...
Item #705254
December 01, 1791
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1791
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart death (1st report)
* Musical composer - Classical music era original
Presented inconspicuously among other death reports is a brief yet very notable report on the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ending with a prophetic comment: "At Vienna, Wolfgang Mozart, the celebrated German composer. ... See More
Neil Armstrong steps on the moon in 1969...
Item #705601
July 21, 1969
WAPAKONETA DAILY NEWS, Ohio, July 21, 1969
* Best issue to have on this historic event ?
* Neil Armstrong's hometown newspaper
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 h... See More
Map of South Pole plus much on the Revolutionary War...
Item #717326
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1776
* American Revolutionary War
* Captain James Cook vogage
* South Pole map - HMS Resolution
This is a fine issue from this significant year of the Revolutionary War, with much war-related content.
Included are two pages on an: "Act for Prohibiting all Trade with America" which is followed by an: "Act of Mass
... See More
* American Revolutionary War
* Captain James Cook vogage
* South Pole map - HMS Resolution
This is a fine issue from this significant year of the Revolutionary War, with much war-related content.
Included are two pages on an: "Act for Prohibiting all Trade with America" which is followed by an: "Act of Mass
Excellent account of the Sullivan Expedition...
Item #703290
October 13, 1779
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 13, 1779 The entire front page and part of the back page are taken up with a very fine & detailed account of the Sullivan Expedition. The report is signed in type by John Sullivan, who commanded the expedition.
This was a U.S. military campaign of the Revolutionary War, lasting from June to October 1779 against the
... See More
Exceedingly rare Napoleon occupation newspaper...
Item #698747
September 27, 1811
COURRIER D'AMSTERDAM or the COURIER VAN AMSTERDAM, December 3, 1810 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. A very rare and un... See More
A different title from Tombstone, Arizona...
Item #687226
June 04, 1889
TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, June 4, 1889
* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The content is much as would be expected from a mining town, including many legal notices co... See More
James Dean... one of the best to be had on the iconic teen actor...
Item #692762
September 29, 1955
MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Sept. 29, 1955
* James Dean's "Rebel Without a Cause" advertisement
* Perhaps the best to be had on the iconic teen actor
* One month prior to it's premiere debut in America
James Dean remains a cultural icon of the troubled & struggling teen from the 1950's, and his aura only increased when he died young in a car crash on September 30,... See More
General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch... The Confederate version of "Harper's Weekly"...
Item #698063
June 07, 1863
SOUTHERN ILLUSTRATED NEWS, Richmond, June 7, 1863
* General Lawrence O'Bryan Branch
* Very rare Confederate publication
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 nice illustration of: "G... See More
Ulysses S. Grant clarifies his infamous "Jew Order"....
Item #698506
November 30, 1868
NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 30, 1868
* General Ulysses S. Grant
* General Order No. 11 - Jews
Page 5 has a very significant Judaica item headed: "Letter From General Grant on the Hebrew Question."
This relates to Ulysses S. Grant's General Order #11 from during the Civil War, known as the infamous "Jew Order". A website has further details on Grant&#
... See More
* General Ulysses S. Grant
* General Order No. 11 - Jews
Page 5 has a very significant Judaica item headed: "Letter From General Grant on the Hebrew Question."
This relates to Ulysses S. Grant's General Order #11 from during the Civil War, known as the infamous "Jew Order". A website has further details on Grant&#
Rare and very early from the "Alaska Territory"...
Item #698596
June 04, 1887
THE ALASKAN, Sitka, Alaska Territory, June 4, 1887
* Very rare Alaska Territorial issue
Rarely are newspapers from Alaska found from before the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 when interest grew dramatically. This newspaper pre-dates the gold rush by ten years.
The format of the newspaper is much like other newspapers of the day, being four pages of small folio size (measures 13 by 20 in.)... See More
Map of the Hudson River region... Franklin on the exchange of prisoners...
Item #701099
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1778 * Rare Revolutionary War New York map
* Benjamin Franklin letter - Ethan Allen
Of great significance is the very nice foldout map headed: "Map of Hudson's River with the Adjacent Country", which shows from Crown Point & Ticonderoga, south to Philadelphia, & also from Long Island to Lake Ontario with consi... See More
A union-occupation newspaper in South Carolina...
Item #701672
January 10, 1863
THE FREE SOUTH, Beaufort, South Carolina, Jan. 10, 1863
* Rare Union occupation publication
On November 7, 1861, the Union Navy seized control of Port Royal Harbor in South Carolina, securing a beachhead for a new kind of journalism--the occupation newspaper. Whereas many of the homegrown South Carolina newspapers defended secession and championed the military victories of the Confede... See More
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