The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
Early map of the Caribbean Islands...
Item #683352
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1756 The first two pages are devoted to the "Caribee Islands" [Caribbean] primarily limited to text on Barbadoes.But of greater significance is the great and desirable foldout map labeled: "A Map of the CARIBBEE ISLANDS Shewing which belong to England, France, Spain, Dutch, & Danes...". This map folds out to 8 1/2 by 13 1/2 ... See More
A Croatian-American newspaper from Montana...
Item #712360
August 25, 1900
SRPSKO JEDINSTVO, "The First And the Only Slavonian Weekly In Montana", Aug. 25, 1900 Little is known about this unusual newspaper other than the Library of Congress noting this very issue, volume 3, numb er 16, August 25, 1900. Their information is likely based upon this very newspaper. This title is not listed in Gregory's "Union List of Newspapers".
The Montana Hi... See More
Jeff Davis' inaugural address: in a Confederate newspaper...
Item #666370
February 25, 1862
THE DAILY SOUTHERN GUARDIAN, Columbia, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 1862
* Jefferson Davis inaugural address
* Rare Confederate publication
A rather rare title and great that it has the word “Southern”.
Certainly the most notable content begins page 2 being: "President Jefferson Davis's Inaugural address, delivered in Richmond, February 22, 1862" which takes ove... See More
Text and prints on the Battle of Gettysburg...
Item #698154
July 25, 1863
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 25, 1863
* Battle of Gettysburg conflict scenes
* General Ulysses S. Grant vs. Robert E. Lee
The full front page is a nice portrait of: "Major-General Ulysses S. Grant ("Unconditional Surrender" Grant)". Inside has a full page: "The Siege of Vicksburg--View Upon the Extreme Right, Showing the Mississippi River Above and Belo... See More
Campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President... Great political cartoon for a masthead...
Item #702595
August 10, 1848
THE BATTERY, Washington, Aug. 10 1848
* Great political themed masthead engraving
* Supporting Zachery Taylor for president
This was a campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President and Millard Fillmore for Vice President.
In the era before radio, television, and the internet it was not uncommon for political parties to create short-lived newspapers to support their can... See More
Campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President... Great political cartoon for a masthead...
Item #702591
July 13, 1848
THE BATTERY, Washington, July 13, 1848
* President Zachary Taylor
* Rare campaign publication
* Nice masthead for display
This was a campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President and Millard Fillmore for Vice President. And it is the volume 1, number 2 issue.
In the era before radio, television, and the internet it was not uncommon for political parties to create short... See More
The famous Winslow Homer print "Waiting for a Bite"...
Item #698672
August 22, 1874
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 22, 1874 Certainly the most notable print in this issue is the very nice full page by Winslow Homer titled: "Waiting for a Bite." It is in great condition.
Other prints in this issue are a full ftpg. illus. "The Little Vagrant." Inside is a 1/2 pg. map of "The Gold Regions of the Black Hills, Explored by General Custer's Exp... See More
One of the more fascinating publishers from the Civil War...
Item #690641
April 23, 1864
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, April 23, 1864
* Very rare Civil War publication
* 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 t... 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
"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
Great on the Thomas Sims fugitive slave case in Boston...
Item #696676
May 10, 1851
GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION, Boston, May 10, 1851
* Thomas Sims - Negro
* Fugitive slave case
This was perhaps America's first successful illustrated newspaper, existing from 1851 thru 1859. It set the format for other more successful titles to emulate, most notably Frank Leslie's Illustrated (1855) and Harper's Weekly (1857). All were modeled after the... See More
Robert Smalls and The USS Planter...
Lincoln repeals Hunter's controversial order emancipating slaves...
Item #712776
May 20, 1862
NEW YORK WORLD, May 20, 1862
* General David Hunter's Emancipation order
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs (nullifies)
* Robert Smalls & companions to be compensated
The front page begins with column heads: "PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION" "Gen. Hunter's Proclamation Void" "The Power of Declaring Slaves Free Belongs to the President" "An Appeal To... See More
With the word "Confederate" in the title...
Item #701936
June 01, 1864
THE DAILY CONFEDERATE, Raleigh, North Carolina, June 1, 1864
* Very rare rebel publication
It is always desirable to find a newspaper having the word "Confederate" in the title. Here is one.
There is a wealth of war reporting, some articles including: "An Appeal to the People of the Confederate States" "Treason" "From the Enemy's Lines--Grant... See More
Imports, exports... Yankee Doodle...
Item #687381
March 06, 1769
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 6, 1769
* Early Yankee Doodle song mention
* Importation - exportation tensions
The front page has an interesting article about: "...George being now master of the ceremonies made the music play just as he pleased; and one night...he swore he would exhibit to the company a dance which had never been attem... See More
Cornwallis, the Marquis de la Fayette, & others...
Item #698851
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 a... 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
Great Thomas Nast Santa Claus print...
Item #701732
December 24, 1881
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 24, 1881
* Thomas Nast Santa Claus wood block engraving
The full front page is a great Santa Claus print by the famed artist Thomas Nast: "Caught!" showing Santa with a child's arms around him.
Thomas Nast is credited with creating the modern version of Santa Claus. The doublepage centerfold is also a nice Thomas Nast Christmas pri... See More
Reference to the Stamp Act...
Item #701127
March 23, 1767
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 23, 1767
* Rare pro British Colonial publication
* American taxation - re. stamp act
Over 1 1/2 columns of the front page are taken up with: "Dr. Franklin's Pieces in Behalf of North America", signed in type: Homespun.
Also on the front page is a letter mentioning: "...I know not with what ... See More
Not found in Gregory…
Item #701786
November 28, 1851
THE PACIFIC, San Francisco, California, Nov. 28, 1851 A very scarce title, in fact not only is the first we have located in our 48 years but it is not listed in Gregory. This is the volume 1, number 15 issue.
"A Religious and Family Newspaper" as noted at the top, with Rev. J. W. Douglas as the proprietor. But there are secular news items as well.
Four pages, one of the earliest ... See More
Inauguration & inaugural ceremonies of President Buchanan, in a Washington newspaper...
Item #689660
March 05, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 5, 1857
* President James Buchanan
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* Best title to be had (rare as such)
A terrific issue in which to find the inauguration and inaugural address of President James Buchanan.
Almost the entirety of the first two columns on page 3 are taken up with the: "Inaugural Address". If is prefac... See More
News of Cornwallis' surrender... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Groton Heights...
Item #686426
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 entire pa... 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
Early, colonial America almanac...
Item #702540
January 01, 1767
* 18th century American almanac
* Colonial era - Nathaniel Ames
"An Astronomical Diary Or Almanack..." for the year 1767, printed in Boston by Nathaniel Ames. An early almanac in 24 pages.
Wear at the margins as is typical of almanacs as they were heavily used throughout the year. Remnants of older tape at the spine, 4 by 6 1/2 inches.... See More
Yankees capture the Confederate capital... War nears its end...
Item #696928
April 04, 1865
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, April 4, 1865
* Fall of Richmond VA Virginia
* Civil War nearing 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!" "Lee's E... See More
One of the best Civil War maps for display...
Item #701662
August 10, 1863
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, August 10, 1863
* Confederate States of America
See the photo for the terrific & huge front page map, taking close to two-thirds of the front page, headed: "THE REBEL CONFEDERACY AS CLAIMED IN 1861 AND AS IT IS NOW" showing how the rebel states have shrunk in two years.
If there was ever a definitive map issue from the Civil War this might well be it, a... 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
One of the very best baseball prints...
Item #683393
September 10, 1887
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 10, 1887
* Great 19th century baseball illustration
The full front page is a Zogbaum print: "Mars & Venus at Fortress Monroe". A full page has many scenes of Castine captioned: "An Old Maine; Seaport". Another full page has 6 prints of: "The Annual Meet of the American Canoe Association".
But by far the best p... See More
Sloat takes command of California during the Mexican War.. Mormon War has ended?
Item #688638
September 26, 1846
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 26, 1846
* Commodore John D. Sloat
* Mexican-American War
* Claims California for U.S.
* Illinois Mormon War ending
* Nauvoo, Hancock County
Inside has a very historic article headed: "The Pacific Squadron - Commodore Sloat Takes Possession of California". The letter reports that Commodore Sloat has taken possession of Calif... See More
First election of Abraham Lincoln...
Item #683570
November 08, 1860
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 1860
* Abraham Lincoln elected
* Presidential election
Perhaps the best newspaper to have with news on any Presidential election, being from the nation's capital.
Page 3 has a report headed: "The Presidential Election" which notes: "From the telegraphic reports of the Presidential election received since our ... See More
First report on John Brown's raid upon Harper's Ferry...
Item #689591
October 18, 1859
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, 1859
* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia - 1st report
Page 3 has the first report of the raid upon Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his cohorts, headed: "Serious Disturbances At Harper's Ferry".
It reads like a first report. It begins: "Information of a somew... See More
Pueblo Indians... Includes the uncommon four page foldout of the America's Cup...
Item #692496
October 14, 1893
HARPER'S WEEKLY October 14, 1893 Full front page print: "Columbian Exposition - The Grand Arch of the Peristyle." Inside includes a half page: "Columbian Exposition - The Johnson Family Visit the Lapland Village"; halfpg: "Two of Philadelphia's Cricket Clubs"; fullpg: "The Centenary of Williams College" which includes a portrait of "Franklin Car... See More
Last issue of a rare, short-lived campaign newspaper...
Item #698938
December 15, 1840
THE LOG CABIN ADVOCATE, Baltimore, Dec. 15, 1840
* William Henry Harrison
* Rare campaign publication
Not to be confused with the "Log Cabin" of New York, this is a much more rare campaign newspaper in support of the presidential campaign of William H. Harrison. This is just the second issue of this title we have seen.
It lasted but 34 weekly issues from March 21 thru Decem... See More
Does America have the intetrity & honesty to repay its war debts?
Item #687147
July 09, 1783
PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, July 9, 1783
* Rare publication w/ great masthead
* Post Revolutionary War debt
Page 2 is mostly taken up with a very lengthy letter concerning the situation in America at the time. It begins: "It now remains to be proved whether the people of America are an honest people or not..." and a few other bits include... See More
Broadside 'Extra' predicts the re-election of Abraham Lincoln...
Item #681907
November 08, 1864
SPRINGFIELD DAILY REPUBLICAN -- EXTRA, Mass., Nov. 8, 1864
* Abraham Lincoln election victory prediction
* Very rare broadside edition (EXTRA)
A wonderful broadside Extra (printed on one side only) with the first two column containing various election reports.
The first notes: "Victory Coming!" with the text noting in part: "The returns are all one way. The majo... See More
Maryland's non-importation resolution...
Item #701324
July 03, 1769
PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, July 3, 1769
* The Non-Importation movement
The front page includes an illustration relating to a new kind if water-powered mill. Page 3 has an interesting report of: "A bill for a charitable lottery for the relief of distressed Virgins in Great Britain" which begins: "Whereas, by the great & melanchol... See More
Terrific issue on the Battle of Bull Run...
Item #701667
July 22, 1861
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, July 22, 1861
* Battle of Bull Run - Manassas Virginia VA
* 1st major battle of the American Civil War
* Great issue for display w/ battle map
This is one of the more displayable issues we have found in recent years on the Battle of Bull Run.
The prime feature is a large map headed: "Position Of The Union And Rebel Armies On the Morning of July 21st, ... See More
Hampton Roads... Attack by the Merrimack... early Florida...
Item #695497
March 22, 1862
THE NEW SOUTH, Port Royal, South Carolina, March 22, 1862
* Rare Union occupation title
* Battle of Hampton Roads
* Monitor vs. Merrimac... Ironclads naval battle
Here is an interesting newspaper (see photo) established in March of 1862 at Port Royal after its capture by Union forces during the early part of the Civil War. Issued in a "military command", the newspaper sough... See More
Death of King James II...
Item #698026
September 11, 1701
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Sept. 11, 1701
* King 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 1... See More
Early mention of Abraham Lincoln in a national newspaper...
Item #698145
December 27, 1843
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Dec. 27 1843
* Very early Abraham Lincoln
* Springfield, Illinois
The top of page 3 has a report headed: "Illinois" being an account of activities in the state Whig Convention in Springfield, mentioning in part: "...The following gentlemen were chosen as the Whig candidates for Presidential Electors: ABRAHAM LINCOLN: S. LISLE SMITH of Coo... See More
Early Boston newspaper with nice front page references to the French & Indian War...
Item #694151
December 29, 1760
THE BOSTON GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, December 29, 1760
* Original colonial America publication
* French and Indian War coverage
A quite early issue of this famous title, from near the end of the French & Indian War.
Just a few months earlier the governor of Canada surrendered the province of Quebec (New France) to the British, and the French outpost of Detroit surrendered t... See More
Four century set of the London Gazette...
Item #661817
January 01, 1671
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England. A collection of four issues of this--the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper--each one hundred years apart. Issues are dated 1671, 1771, 1871 and 1971.
Interestingly, the format of this title did not change much over the years save for the number of pages increasing with the years. The 4 issue collection comes in a custom-made 4 s... See More
The Nova Constellatio coin, made for the American colonies... Settling Australia as a penal colony...
Item #640616
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
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
Great map of Montreal... Death of the King of England...
Item #676720
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1760 * Great foldout map of Montreal & more
* George II of Great Britain death
* French and Indian War
Perhaps the prime item is the very nice foldout map headed: "A Particular Map to Illustrated Gen. Amherst's Expedition to Montreal with a Plan of the Town & Draught of the Island".
The map has a very nice inset of the... See More
Baron Rothschild: the first Jew to become a member of Parliament...
Item #683642
August 11, 1858
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 1858
* Baron Rothschild of Tring
* 1st Jewish member of House of Lords
Page 2 has a column headed: "Baron Rothschild in Parliament". This is a very notable report, as it gives the account of the formal seating in Parliament of Rothschild as its first Jewish member.
Baron Lionel Rothschild was a British Jewish banker,... See More
Full page focus on Lincoln, with a print...
Item #686261
May 01, 1865
PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL, New York, May, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination w/ print
Phrenology is a theory that the personality traits of a person can be derived from the shape of their skull. Although holding no validity today, it was a popular science in the mid-19th century and this periodical focused on it.
The feature of this issue is the page near the back which is devoted to Ab... See More
Jefferson's annual message, with mention of Lewis & Clark...
Item #687914
December 11, 1806
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Dec. 11, 1806 Beginning on the front page & concluding on patge 2 is the: "President's "Message" communicated to Congress, it being Jefferson's state-of-the-union address to the nation.
Of significance is some fine mention of the Lewis and Clark expedition which appears on the front page: "...The expedition of Messrs. Lewis and ... See More
Thomas Edison invents the phonograph...
Item #701605
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
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican War...
Item #698563
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 Mexican re... See More
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