The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
Considerable reporting on the trouble with Indians in America...
Item #683305
November 07, 1682
THE LOYAL PROTESTANT and TRUE DOMESTICK INTELLIGENCE, or, NEWS both from City and Countrey. London, April 26, 1681 Printed just below the masthead: "Published to prevent False, Scandalous and Seditious Reports." This is one of the very scarce titles from the 17th century as I believe we have only offered a few in the past 46 years.
Complete as a single sheet issue, 7 1/4 by ... See More
Cornwallis, the Marquis de la Fayette, & others...
Item #658584
June 19, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, June 19, 1781
* Rare American Revolutionary War publication
Inside has a few items relating to the Revolutionary War, including a bit noting: "...recommend unanimity, firmness and perseverance to the people of the American states as the British ministry are straining every nerve to enable Generals Clinton an... See More
Graphic issue on the sinking of the Lusitania...
Item #674862
May 07, 1915
THE ROCK ISLAND DAILY UNION, Illinois, May 7, 1915
* RMS Lusitania torpedoed and sunk
* Nice headline and photo for display
A very nice & graphic first report of the sinking of the Lusitania, with a 2-line banner headline: "Giant Liner Lusitania of Cunard Line is Sunk in the Irish Sea by Either Torpedo or Infernal Machine". Also a rather large photo headed: "Cunard ... See More
"Memphis" newspaper printed in Montgomery, Alabama...
Item #684214
October 14, 1864
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Montgomery, Alabama, October 14, 1864
* Very Rare Confederate title from the "traveling" newspaper
* Memphis newspaper printed in Montgomery, Alabama
* A wealth of Civil War related reporting
See the bottom of this listing for the fascinating history of this newspaper. Among the front page items are: ""Forrest's Operations" takin... See More
Creating the state of Israel...
Item #680755
May 16, 1948
NEW YORK TIMES, May 16, 1948
* State of Israel is established
* Israel is recognized by the United States
* Skirmishing between Arabs & Jews continue
The front page features a 5 column, 3 line head: "Arab Armies Invade Palestine; Reach Gaza, Bomb Tel Aviv Again; U.S. Considers Lifting Arms Ban" with related subheads including: "Attack Concerted" "4-Front Blow S... See More
Advertisement on the Salem witch trials...
Item #676076
February 11, 1693
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Feb. 11, 1693
* Rare Salem witch trials advertisement
* Very early and rare 17th century title
The back page has an advertisement for the book "The Second Edition of the late TRYALS of several WITCHES in New-England. Written by Cotton Mather, and Published by the Special Command of the Governour." (see)
This is the only periodical we have ever ... See More
Great issue on the capture of New York...
Item #662345
November 05, 1776
ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE, London, Nov. 5, 1776
* American Revolutionary War
* New York City captured
* General William Howe
This is a very significant issue, as most of the front page is taken up with reports on the historic capture of New York City by the British, beginning with the report from the noted: "London Gazette Extraordinary" issue of Nov. 4 which includes the l... See More
On the Salem witch trials...
Item #662913
February 21, 1693
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Feb. 21, 1693 This was a fine gentlemen's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide range of topics & one of the earliest periodicals in English. Partially in question/answer format.
The back page has an advertisement for the 2nd edition of a book: "The late TRYALS of Several WITCHES ... See More
The king decides to not increase the land forces in America...
Item #671285
January 31, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, January 31, 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 engraving of the Royal coat... See More
'Official' report of the gold discovery in California...
Item #673119
December 07, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1848
* Gold discovered in California
* Official government report
* Pre 49ers- Forty-Niners
Beginning on the front page and taking all of pg. 2 and most of pg. 3 is the: "President's Annual Message" to the nation, in which is a rather lengthy & detailed report on the discovery of gold in California.
Although there w... See More
"Proud Music of the Sea Storm" -by Walt Whitman - submitted by Ralph Waldo Emerson...
Item #652371
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, February, 1869* Walt Whitman's "Proud Music of the Sea Storm" - 1st appearance
* submitted to The Atlantic Monthly on behalf of Whitman as a favor
Pages 199-203 have Walt Whitman's, "Proud Music of the Sea Storm," which, according to the Walt Whitman Archive, has the distinction of being a poem submitted to The Atlantic Monthly by Ralph Wal... See More
"Bardic Symbols" -by Walt Whitman - his 1st apperance in The Atlantic Monthly
Item #652373
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, April, 1860* Walt Whitman's "Bardic Symbols" - 1st appearance
* also Whitman's 1st appearance in The Atlantic Monthly
* 2 lines deleted by the publisher
Pages 445-447 have Walt Whitman's, "Bardic Symbols," which is both the poem's 1st appearance and Whitman's 1st contribution to The Atlantic Monthly. According to the Walt Whitm... See More
The 1st African-American slave to formally practice medicine...
Item #660785
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, (Philadelphia), January, 1789 * James Derham, esteemed and promoted by Dr. Benjamin Rush - 1st African American (and slave) to officially practice medicine
* Thomas Fuller - an uneducated slave with incredible mathematical ability
* Reflections upon Lexington & Concord
The most noteworthy article begins on page 61 under the heading, "At a meeting of the ... See More
Great map of the western hemisphere...
Item #663336
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 which 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 &am... See More
News of Cornwallis' surrender... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Groton Heights...
Item #673230
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781 * Revolutionary War
* Cornwallis' surrender
* Gen. Benedict Arnold
* Battle of Groton Heights
Near the back is a section headed: "American News" which has a "Copy of a Letter from Brig. Gen. Arnold to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, dated Sound off Plumb Island, Sept. 8, 1781" which takes over an ent... See More
Al Capone indictment for tax evasion...
Item #686972
June 06, 1931
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, June 6, 1931
* Al 'Scarface' Capone
* Income tax evasion indictment
* 1st report - the beginning of the end
* Best publication to be had (very rare)
The front page has a five column heading: "Capone Indicted by U.S.; Surrenders" with subheads: "GANGSTER GIVES $50,000 BOND IN TAX FRAUD CASE" "Accused of Evading $215,080 Levy" A... See More
Nice headline report on the Lusitania disaster...
Item #682428
May 07, 1915
THE VINCENNES SUN, Indiana, May 7, 1915
* RMS Lusitania torpedoed and sunk
This is one of the nicer first reports of the Lusitania disaster we have been able to offer in a few years. A nice two-line, banner headline announces the tragedy: "GERMAN SUBMARINE SINKS CUNARD LINER LUSITANIA OFF GREAT BRITAIN" with subheads: "1500 Passengers Are Reported All Saved" "B... See More
Yankees capture the Confederate capital... War nears its end...
Item #658477
April 04, 1865
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, April 4, 1865
* Richmond, Virginia falls (1st report)
* Confederate capital - war nears the end
One of the middle columns of the front page announces one of the more significant events of the Civil War with: "VIRGINIA ! " "GLORIOUS NEWS ! " "Richmond Is Ours!" "Evacuation of Petersburg!" "Tremendous Fighting!&q... See More
Earliest newspaper in your collection?
Item #676620
December 21, 1641
NOUVELLES, Paris, France, December 21, 1641 (date is at the bottom of the back page)
* Earliest newspaper in your collection?
The heading roughly translates to: "Ordinary News"." This issue predates the earliest English language newspaper we have in our inventory. It was the "sister" publication of the "Gazette", the very first regular newspaper published i... See More
Significant & rare Judaica print... Burgoyne in Parliament to answer for Saratoga...
Item #680658
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE London, May, 1778 Certainly the most significant item in this issue is the very nice foldout engraving which is described on the contents page as: "An Inside View of the Jews Synagogue at Amsterdam, and of the Ceremony of sounding the Horn on New Year's Day".This plate folds out to 8 1/4 by 8 3/4 inches, has minor foxing, and a library stamp in a ... See More
Surrender of Lee at Appomattox...
Item #680711
April 15, 1865
ARMY & NAVY JOURNAL, New York, April 15, 1865
* General Robert E. Lee
* Confederate Army of Northern Virginia
* Surrender at Appomattox Court House
Subtitled: "Gazette Of The Regular And Volunteer Forces", this 16 page issue is simply filled with military reports, almost entirely on the Civil War at this time.
This issue is dated the day Abraham Lincoln died. The... See More
Rare Confederate title from Mississippi on the Battle of Perryville...
Item #667763
November 03, 1862
DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN, Jackson, Nov. 3, 1862 Certainly one of the more rare Confederate titles we have offered. This is a volume one issue.
Among the front page has a number of Acts and documents from the Confederacy, most concerning the on-going Civil War. One is: "An Act to Encourage the Manufacture of Clothing and Shoes for the Army" and a lengthy: "Act to Better Provide for... See More
Thomas Edison invents the phonograph...
Item #688936
December 22, 1877
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, Dec. 22, 1877
* Inventor Thomas Edison
* The phonograph invented
* Best title to have this in ?
Page 2 has an extremely significant article headed: The Talking Phonograph" which begins: "Mr. Thomas Edison recently came into our office, placed a little machine on our desk, turned a crank, and the machine inquired as to our health, asked how we ... See More
Death of King James II...
Item #665775
September 11, 1701
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Sept. 11, 1701
* James II of England death
The back page has an historic report of the death of King James II, the last Catholic monarch of England who was deposed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and spend the remainder of his life in exile in France.
The report from Paris dated Sept. 17 reads: "The late King fell into a lethargy on the 14th in... See More
Yankee occupation newspaper after Richmond fell...
Item #681182
May 12, 1865
THE RICHMOND TIMES, May 12, 1865
* Very rare Yankee occupation issue
* Post capital of the Confederacy
A quite rare title as this was a newspaper created by the Yankee forces upon the capture of the capital of the Confederacy. This is just the volume 1, number 19 issue.
The content has much on end-of-war and Reconstruction reports. The front page has: "Proclamation From the Pres... See More
Detailing how supportive England has been to the colonies...
Item #664587
January 28, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 28, 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 engraving of the Royal coa... See More
Nice Thomas Nast Christmas centerfold...
Item #662528
January 04, 1879
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 4, 1879
* Thomas Nast
* Santa Claus
* Christmas
The full front page is a nice Christmas-themed print by Thomas Nast, captioned: "Christmas Post" showing a boy mailing a letter to Santa Claus. The other great print is the doublepage centerfold, also by Thomas Nast, captioned: "Merry Christmas" which shows five young children hang... See More
Early and rare newspaper from 1871 Tucson...
Item #667173
October 28, 1871
ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. (Arizona Territory), October 28, 1871
* Very rare title
A very early & rare title from Southern Arizona, published 41 years before Arizona would become a state. Our records indicate this is the earliest date of this title we have offered in memory, the previous earliest dated 1874.
Inside has: "The Apache War" "Colyer's Canad... See More
Thomas Nast Santa...
Item #676613
December 30, 1871
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 30, 1871
* Thomas Nast Santa Claus wood block engraving
The full front page is the famous Thomas Nast illustration of: "Santa Claus's Mail." which is very displayable.
Inside is a full pg. illus. of "Christmas in Virginia - A Present from the Great House." Full pg. illus. of "A Roman Catholic Mission from England to ... See More
Detailed review of Les Misérables...
First printing of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Chiefly About War Matters"...
Item #652426
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, (Boston), July, 1863 * Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Chiefly About War Matters"
* an original, contemporary printing - 1st appearance
signed with the pen name "A Peaceable Man"
* same year review of Victor Hugo's, "Les Misérables"
When one thinks of Nathaniel Hawthorne, most minds are rightfully immediately drawn to his mas... See More
First printing of "Barbara Frietchie", by John Greenleaf Whittier...
Item #659697
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, (Boston), October, 1863 This literary magazine contains the first publication of the famed poem by John Greenleaf Whittier: "Barbara Frietchie". It is a story of a very patriotic old woman in Frederick, Maryland, who would defy General Jackson as his troops entered town. The most famous line would have to be: "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head; But s... See More
Uncommon American title from the Revolutionary War...
Item #666263
January 19, 1780
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Jan. 19, 1780
* American Revolutionary War
* Rare single sheet issue
Most of the front page is taken up with a document concerning relations between Holland and England. The back page has a document from D. Diego Joseph Navarro, governor of Cuba., regarding declaring war against Great Britain (see). The back page also has an item from Congress conce... See More
One of the most desired baseball prints...
Item #682520
July 28, 1888
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 28, 1888
* Great baseball print
The entire front page is taken up with one of the best 19th century baseball prints to be found, showing a batter, catcher & umpire captioned: "A Ball Or A Strike--Which?" drawn by T. de Thurstrup.
There are also many other prints within this issue including a fullpg. with 6 vignettes: "View of Town... See More
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican War...
Item #662643
July 08, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 8, 1848
* Mexican War ends
* Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
* Mexico - United States - Texas
The top of page 2 has the very historic report of the official end of the Mexican War, beginning with: "A Proclamation" "Whereas a treaty of peace, friendship, limits, & settlement between the United States of America and the Mexi... See More
A Tory newspaper from the Revolutionary War...
Item #688263
April 15, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, April 15, 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.
The front page is entirely taken up with ads including one for a man wh... See More
Great Thomas Nast Santa Claus...
Item #173054
December 29, 1866
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 29, 1866 The front page has a lengthy poem with a related print titled: "The Setter's Christmas Eve". Inside contains a full page: "Hauling Home the Christmas Boughs"; halfpg: "Scene of the Holy Nativity, Bethlehem" & "The Wise Men Following the Star in the East". Also: a halfpg: "John Surratt"... See More
Significant issue on the Popish Plot...
Item #617054
April 10, 1679
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, April 10, 1679
* Popish Plot
The back page has not one but two items concerning the Popish Plot in England, a contrived conspiracy to accuse Catholic leaders of plotting to kill King Charles II.
A report from Dublin notes: "A Proclamation has been published...appointing a reward...to any person that shall...apprehend any Popish Dignitary or Jesuit...&... See More
The Nova Constellatio coin, made for the American colonies... Settling Australia as a penal colony...
Item #664331
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1786 * The Nova Constellatio coin print
* Made for circulation in the American colonies
The most interesting item in this issue is the foldout plate which contains--among other prints--an image of the "Nova Constellatio" coin used in the colonies (see). The print shows both the obverse & reverse & has a date of 1785.
Th... See More
"Extraordinary" issue on the Battle of Monmouth...
Item #662937
August 24, 1778
THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, England, Aug. 24, 1778
* Battle of Monmouth - New Jersey
* Sir Henry Clinton vs. George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
Such "extraordinary" issues were created when notable news was received outside the normal printing schedule and the publisher wanted to rush the news to the people as quickly as possible.
The purpose of this issue is t... See More
Earliest newspaper in your collection?
Item #654804
December 03, 1644
NOUVELLES, Paris, France, December 3, 1644 This issue predates the earliest English language newspaper we have in our inventory by several years. It was the "sister" publication of the "Gazette", the very first regular newspaper published in France, started in 1631 by Théophraste Renaudot but with influential backing by the powerful Cardinal de Richelieu. This titl... See More
One of the more fascinating publishers from the Civil War...
Item #609903
November 30, 1864
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, Nov. 30, 1864
* Very rare Civil War title
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
W. G. Brownlow, or Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to the pres... See More
Landis becomes first commissioner of baseball, in his hometown newspaper...
Item #680940
November 13, 1920
CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Nov. 13, 1920
* Kenesaw Mountain Landis
* 1st MLB baseball commissioner
* Best title to be had - rare as such
A terrific issue on the history of Major League Baseball with the banner headline proclaiming: "LANDIS CZAR OF BASEBALL". The subheads note: "Takes $50,000 Job, But Won't Give Up Bench" "Accepts 'to Save the Game for the... See More
Spindletop oil discovery...
Item #679354
January 17, 1901
NEW YORK TIMES, January 17, 1901 Although discoveries were made in various locations long before this date, this discovery--to be known as Spindletop--marked the emergence of the oil industry at a time when the automobile and other industries were experiencing rapid growth, coinciding with the need for this new product.
The discovery of oil in Beaumont, Texas, was the beginning of the oil i... See More
Spindletop oil discovery...
Item #680597
January 13, 1901
NEW YORK TIMES, January 13, 1901
* Discovery of oil in Beaumont, Texas
* Beginning of the Great Spindletop oil well
Although discoveries were made in various locations long before this date, this discovery--to be known as Spindletop--marked the emergence of the oil industry at a time when the automobile and other industries were experiencing rapid growth, coinciding with the need for ... See More
Rare publication from the 1600's...
Item #682415
May 28, 1689
A CONTINUATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION OF THE ESTATES IN SCOTLAND, London, England, May 28, 1689
* Very rare 17th century publication
The year of this issue is printed in the dateline of the lead article on the front page, as the dateline contains only the month and day.
This is issue #24 of a short-lived title which existed to report on the ongoing disputes between the S... See More
Convicts shipped off to America...
Item #683380
May 23, 1728
THE DAILY POST-BOY, London, May 23, 1728 The front page is a terrific item noting: "The government are about contracting with the proper undertakes for transporting the felons, convicts, being about 80 in number, to his Majesty's Plantations in America."." Although it was known that convicts were occasionally shipped off to the American colonies, it is exceedingly rare to ... See More
Very significant baseball print...
Item #655437
July 01, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER, New York, July 1, 1865 Perhaps the best & most desired print is the very nice half pg. vertical print captioned: "Grand Match Between the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia, & the Resolute Club of Brooklyn, N.Y....at the Union Ground, Brooklyn.". This shows a game in progress, including the full panorama of the field with a cro... See More
Mutiny on the Bounty... Captain William Bligh...
Item #660278
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1790 * Mutiny on the Bounty
* Captain William Bligh
Near the back of this issue (starting on page 463) is one of the more historic naval report of the 18th century, since romanticized by the famous movie, giving a fine account of the mutiny on board the ship Bounty. The report is headed: "Several Memorable Events have lately happened at ... See More
Attack by the Merrimack... Hampton Roads... early Florida...
Item #660383
March 22, 1862
THE NEW SOUTH, Port Royal, South Carolina, March 22, 1862
Notable content in this volume I, number 2 issue includes a pg. 3 report: "Details of the Naval Fight in Hampton Roads" which is well-written and quite informative and takes one and a half columns. Good coverage about the attack by the Merrimack, followed by details of the engagement between the two famous iron-clads. In th... See More
Japanese attack California...
Item #670747
February 24, 1942
LOS ANGELES HERALD EXPRESS, California, Feb. 24, 1942
* Attack on California coast
* Ellwood oil field shelling
* Japanese submarine I-17
* Best title to be had ? (rare)
The bold headline proclaims: "HUNT JAP U-BOAT IN RAID ON SOUTHLAND" with a smaller banner: "2 U.S. Ships Wrecked; 189 Die". One of the subhead notes: "Sub Shells Oil Field Near Santa Barbara... See More
If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our
gifts and birthday newspapers page.