The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
Wild Bill Hickok...
Item #704224
HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, (New York), February, 1867 * Wild Bill Hickok
* Folklore hero of Old West
* Gunfighter & scout
Featured on the front page is a great full-figure print of "Wild Bill" Hickok, one of the most notable names from the Old West who was very much a legend in his own time.
Such a print of him is rarely found in newspapers or magazines, and in... See More
Abraham Lincoln's last public speech & last proclamation...
Item #688028
April 12, 1865
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 12, 1865
* Civil War is over speech
* Abraham Lincoln's last public speech
* Presidential proclamation 128
* Just 2 days before his assassination
The front page has one column heads including: "RECONSTRUCTION" "Important Speech by the President" "His Views On Peace & Reconstruction" with the text of his speech beginning:... See More
Rare Hawaii newspaper from 1859...
Item #698615
February 05, 1859
THE POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, (Hawaii), Feb. 5, 1859
* Very rare 19th century Hawaiian publication
A quite rare newspaper from such an early date, in fact outside of "The Friend" which was more of a missionary newspaper, this is the second oldest Hawaii newspaper we have offered.
It is formatted much like other newspapers of the day with the front page containing both ads & ... See More
One of the earliest 17th century newspapers you will find...
Item #675381
February 23, 1641
GAZETTE, Paris, France, February 23, 1641 (date is in the imprint at the bottom of the back page).
* Earliest of newspapers to be had
This extremely early newspaper is filled with news reports with datelines from throughout Europe, including Naples, Rome, Nuremberg, Frankfort, Amsterdam, Cologne, with the back two pages containing reports from France. There are no advertisements.
This... See More
Sherman's Christmas present to President Lincoln and the nation...
Item #688778
December 26, 1864
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 26, 1864 An historic issue reporting the fall of Savannah to the Union forces, with one of the more notable quotes part of the headlines, with ftpg: "CAPTURE OF SAVANNAH" "Hardee's Army Make Their Escape" "150 Guns, 13 Locomotives, 190 Cars & 33,000 Bales of Cotton Taken" "and more.
The most historic part of the report is Sherman... See More
Two full page Winslow Homer prints...
Item #688997
December 23, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 23, 1865
* Rare Winslow Homer prints
There are many prints within but certainly the two most significant are the full page prints by Winslow Homer, captioned: "Thanksgiving Day--Hanging Up the Musket" and the other: "Thanksgiving Day--The Church Porch". A small stain in the caption of each, otherwise very nice.
Other p... See More
Reaction to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown...
Item #698644
March 26, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, March 26, 1782
* Reaction to Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending
Page 2 has some nice reporting on the military events further to the west, from a letter from Kentucky dated Dec. 6. It reports on the work of General Clarke near Fort Pitt, Colonel Loughrie, and some events near Detroit. ... See More
Death of John Paul Jones & a letter by Thomas Paine...
Item #703598
September 26, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 26, 1792
* John Paul Jones death - pirate ?
* Revolutionary War naval commander
* "Father of the American Navy
Most of the front page is taken up with "Mr. Paine's Letters to Lord Onslow" which has two of them, each signed in type: Thomas Paine.
The balance of the front page is taken up with an article headed: "John Pau... See More
A 1776 skirmish in South Carolina...
Item #704264
October 03, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 1776
* Great year to collect (1776)
* American revolutionary War
* Cherokee village of Tamassee
* Major Andrew Williamson
Any newspaper dated 1776 is quite desirable, but even more so issues printed in Philadelphia.
Page 2 has a report which includes: "There is not a maritime nation in Europe but which privately c... See More
News of Cornwallis' surrender... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Groton Heights...
Item #705470
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781 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 page & is signed by him in type: B. Arnold.This is his detailed report on the taking of New Londo... See More
Newspaper appearance of a Walt Whitman poem...
Item #652163
March 22, 1850
SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, June 22, 1850
* Walt Whitman - American poet
* 2nd Appearance of "Resurgemus"
A very notable issue for any literary collector as the front page contains at the head of the first column the second newspaper appearance of Walt Whitman's poem "Resurgemus" signed by him in type at its conclusion: Walter Whitman. The very first appearance was on... See More
Unrecorded issue from Colorado...
Item #690238
August 21, 1880
THE SOUTHWEST, Animas City, Colorado, Aug. 21, 1880
* Very rare old West publication
* La Plata County - Durango
A quite rare title that printed in this town before moving to their new location of Durango in September. Gregory's 'Union List of American Newspapers' does not even have a listing for this title in Animas City. This is the volume 1, number 44 issue.
Various ar... See More
News of Cornwallis' surrender... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Groton Heights...
Item #705471
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1781 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 page & is signed by him in type: B. Arnold.This is his detailed report on the taking of New Londo... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #683040
July 24, 1889
DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 24, 1889
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old Wes... See More
Pair of issues: criticizing astrology, with an astrologer's response...
Item #684757
October 01, 1869
BROUGHTON'S MONTHLY PLANET READER AND ASTROLOGICAL JOURNAL, Philadelphia, Oct., Nov., Dec., 1869
Also: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, May 29, 1869
The former was a fascinating and very unusual newspaper of small-size themed on predicting what would happen in the future--great to read in hindsight.
The feature article, which takes all of pages 1 thru 5, is headed: "A Reply... See More
Very rare baseball newspaper... "Hal" McClure... Bucknell graduate...
Item #684990
July 09, 1886
OFFICIAL (Baseball) RECORD, New York, July 9, 1886
* Very rare baseball periodical
This is a volume two issue of a very rare & historically important baseball newspaper, the very first daily sports newspaper dedicated entirely to the national game of professional baseball.
Although the masthead reads: "Official Record" the title at the top of pages 2, 3 & 4 rea... See More
First issue of a rare title which lasted just 3 issues...
Item #698082
April 25, 1863
ALBANY ARMY LETTER, New York, April 10-25, 1863
* Extremely rare publication
* American Civil War era
This was the volume 1 number 1 issue of an exceedingly rare title which lasted for just 3 issues, the others dated May 15 and May 28.
Content includes various local news, information on the progress of war, engagements of various regiments, a report of the presentation of battle fla... See More
Hometown newspaper reports: Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak begins, is established, and ends...
Item #698562
July 18, 1941
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, a trio of issues for May 16, July 17 and 18, 1941
* Joe DiMaggio's famous hitting streak
* It begins - breaks record - and ending
* New York Yankees - MLB baseball
* 3 issue lot from his hometown publication
The sports page of May 16 has a report on the game with the Chicago White Sox, noting a 13-1 defeat, but also including the box score which shows Jo... See More
Newspaper of the 'African Methodist Episcopal Church'...
Item #698480
April 06, 1922
WESTERN CHRISTIAN RECORDER, Kansas City, Kansas, April 6, 1922 The masthead notes that this is: "The Official Organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church". As the title would suggest, primarily religious news and reports.
Four pages, folio size, toned, good condition.
Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #698030
December 19, 1795
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 19, 1795
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Over half of the front page is taken up with the "President's Address" being George Washington's annual state-of-the-union address for the year 1795, a tradition he started in his first administration and which continues to this day.
The "Speech" as it is ... See More
Surrender of Ticonderoga... Washington's Manifesto...
Item #667876
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, Sept., 1777 * Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
* General George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
Over 2 1/2 pages are taken up with: "Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Sir William Howe" from Middlebrook, June 10, 1777, signed by him in type: Geo. Washington. This is followed by another letter from Washington to Howe, which begin... See More
Jackson's defining document in the Nullification Crisis...
Item #696642
January 18, 1833
SUPPLEMENT TO THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 1833
* Nullification Crisis w/ Andrew Jackson
An interesting single sheet printed on tissue paper-quality newsprint; very thin.
Save for a few ads on the back side the entire issue is taken up with the: "MESSAGE Of the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress, transmitting copies of the Ordinanc... 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
* Extremely rare publication
* In Slavic and English Languages
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... See More
One of the "Letters From A Farmer..." series by John Dickinson....
Item #704798
February 08, 1768
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, Feb. 8, 1768
* John Dickinson
* Colonial Boston
This issue is highlighted by "Letter VIII" by the famed John Dickinson, being the eighth of his twelve famous "Letters From a Farmer In Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies".
This series furnished a constitutional basis for the widespread colonial opposition to the Engli... 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
Union occupation newspaper from Wilmington, North Carolina...
Item #701895
March 04, 1865
THE HERALD OF THE UNION, Wilmington, North Carolina, March 4, 1865
* Rare Union occupation publication
* Final weeks of the American Civil War
* Last Atlantic port of the Confederacy
This is a Union occupation newspaper, as Wilmington fell to the Yankee forces in February, 1865, being the last Atlantic port to fall to the Northern forces. This is the volume 1, number 5 issue. ... 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
Much debate on the value of the Revolutionary War...
Item #715063
March 02, 1778
EXTRA SUPPLEMENT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, March 2, 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.
An unusual "Extra" edition, with the entire front page taken up with a report ... 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
Not found in Gregory…
Item #701786
November 28, 1851
THE PACIFIC, San Francisco, California, Nov. 28, 1851
* California Gold Rush era
* Rare Old West publication
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 ar... 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
'Official' report of the gold discovery in California...
Item #705603
December 07, 1848
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 7, 1848 Beginning on the front page and taking all of page 2 and most of page 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 were earlier newspaper reports of gold discovery, this was the first "official"... 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
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
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.