The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
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
Great issue on the beginning of Prohibition...
Item #687600
January 16, 1920
THE OMAHA EVENING BEE, Nebraska,, Jan. 16, 1920
* Prohibition starts in United States
* No more beer or liquor
The front page feature an uncommonly nice banner headline announcing the beginning of Prohibition with: "Dry Nation Starts Tonight" with the first column subhead noting: "Midnight To End Liquor Reign In The U.S.".
More typically this announcement was met... 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
Death of famed actress Jean Harlow...
Item #702902
June 08, 1937
SAN FRANCISCO CHRTONICLE, California, June 8, 1937
* Actress Jean Harlow death (1st report)
* 1930's sex symbol - Blonde bombshell
The top of the front page has a photo headed: "HER UNPLAYED ROLE - Death Rewrote Her Script", which is followed by the related article: Death Ends Career of Jean Harlow. She was 26 years old. The article includes in part: "Jean Harlow, t... See More
Battle of Perryville... in a rare Confederate title from Mississippi...
Item #702903
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
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
Confederate newspaper from Grenada, Mississippi... Antietam & South Mountain...
Item #697443
September 23, 1862
THE MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL, Grenada, Mississippi, Sept. 23, 1862
* Very rare Confederate publication
* Publisher on the run
* Battle of Antietam
If the title and city of publication seem to disagree, they do not. This newspaper had a fascinating history during the Civil War. Memphis was a Confederate stronghold up through the Battle of Memphis on June 6, 1862, at which time the Yankees... See More
Nat Turner's Insurrection, by Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1861)...
Item #698357
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, Aug. 1861 Inside has: "NAT TURNER'S REBELLION" which provides incredible detail of the only successful slave revolt in the United States. The Atlantic Monthly would later describe this incredible/historic article by the author as follows:"In 1861, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, an abolitionist, minister, and frequent Atlantic contributor (and sometime ... 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
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
Congregation Shearith Israel mourns... Lincoln's funeral...
Item #675994
April 21, 1865
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 21, 1865
* Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Lying in State at the Capitol
* Hunt for the assassins continue
Although somewhat inconspicuous, perhaps the most notable item within this black bordered issue is the page 7 mention of the mourning services held at The Congregation Sherith Israel [Shearith Israel] on behalf of th... 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
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 #688639
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
The Battle of Antietam...
Item #618225
September 26, 1862
DAILY COLUMBUS ENQUIRER, Georgia, Sept. 26, 1862
* Very rare Confederate publication
* Battle of Antietam - Sharpsburg MD
* Bloodiest one day battle in America
Certainly one of the less common Confederate titles from the Civil War. Columbus is in Southwest Georgia on the Alabama border very near Montgomery.
Various reports inside include: "More Northern News" "From Cu... 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
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
Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod experiment...
Item #671792
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1752
* Benjamin Franklin
* Electricity experiments
* Lightning rod
Inside has an extremely significant article titled: "A Cut and Description of a Machine, easily constructed, for making the Experiment by which Franklin's new Theory of Thunder is demonstrated" with descriptive text showing how this experiment works. E
... See More
* Benjamin Franklin
* Electricity experiments
* Lightning rod
Inside has an extremely significant article titled: "A Cut and Description of a Machine, easily constructed, for making the Experiment by which Franklin's new Theory of Thunder is demonstrated" with descriptive text showing how this experiment works. E
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
Death of King James II...
Item #698026
September 11, 1701
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Sept. 11, 1701 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 instant, and was thought to be dead,... See More
Early mention of Abraham Lincoln in a national newspaper...
Item #698145
December 27, 1843
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Dec. 27 1843 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 Cook..." with more men listed.
This is an early mention of ... 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
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
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
Significant issue on the Popish Plot...
Item #702887
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
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
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
Knute Rockne named Notre Dame coach...
Item #676628
February 21, 1918
NEW YORK TIMES, February 21, 1918 Here is a terrific report for any Notre Dame fan. A small one column headlines near the bottom of page 12 announces: "NEW NOTRE DAME COACH" "Rockne Appointed to Succeed Harper as Athletic Director" which tells of the hiring of Knute Rockne as the new coach for the Fighting Irish. Rockne would put Notre Dame on the map as a football powerh... See More
Broadside declaration of the war's end...
Item #680430
May 08, 1945
THE STAR, Guernsey (Channel Islands), May 8, 1945
* Great broadside on end of World War II
* Nazi occupied island is liberated
This English-speaking island in the English Channel was under Nazi control during World War II. This is a broadside issue (a single sheet printed on the front only; back is blank), of larger size than this newspaper typically published.
It is printed in broad... 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
The South Carolina Ordinance of Secession...
Item #690966
December 21, 1860
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, Dec. 21, 1860
* South Carolina Ordinance of Secession approved
* Abraham Lincoln as president elect era
* From our nation's capital ( rare as such)
Page 3 has a wealth of reports concerning South Carolina and secession, as well as reports on other states as well.
Certainly the most notable report is headed: "South Carolina Conventio... 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
Washington's letter resigning as commander-in-chief...
Item #702911
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August & September, 1783 A 2 issue set. The August issue has a section headed: "Authentic Papers Relative to American Affairs" includes reference to learning of the Treaty of Peace ending the Revolutionary War, and also includes a "Resolve" from Congress concerning the mutinous soldiers in Washington's army, along with Washing... See More
Very early, short-lived, colonial newspaper...
Item #697460
August 16, 1753
THE INDEPENDENT REFLECTOR, New York, August 16, 1753
* Rare Colonial New York original
* Short lived publication
This rare newspaper lasted for less than one year, publishing but 52 issues. Primarily moral and political essays, it gave offense to men in power and was "suppressed by authorities" as Brigham relates.
A fine opportunity to purchase at a reasonable price a very ... See More
Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States...
Item #692531
November 10, 1860
HARTFORD WEEKLY TIMES, Connecticut, Nov. 10, 1860
* President Abraham Lincoln
* First presidential election win
* Civil War on the horizon
The top of page 2 has a column headed: "The Presidential Contest" "Election Of Lincoln and Hamlin" "The North for Lincoln - The South Mostly For Breckinridge" "Lincoln Comes In With A Congress Against Him!"... See More
Ship from Boston has tobacco, sugar and beaver...
Item #680128
December 10, 1666
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Dec. 10, 1666
* Among the earliest of newspapers to be had
* Early report re. America - Boston Harbor
Issues of this very famous title--the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper--from the year of the Great Fire of London and the final year of the Great Plague, are quite rare.
The front page has a report: "On Fri
... See More
* Among the earliest of newspapers to be had
* Early report re. America - Boston Harbor
Issues of this very famous title--the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper--from the year of the Great Fire of London and the final year of the Great Plague, are quite rare.
The front page has a report: "On Fri
Engraving of the new Confederate flag...
Item #684458
April 19, 1862
DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, April 19, 1862
* Rare engraving of the new Confederate flag
* From the capital of the Confederacy
The striking feature of this issue is the quite rare, page two print of: "The New Flag" with the text beginning: "We are informed that Congress has definitely adopted a flag. The bad wood cut will give the reader a clear conception ... See More
Significant Act of Congress in response to the Whiskey Rebellion...
Item #686153
July 09, 1794
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, HARTFORD, June 23, 1794 Half of page 2 is taken up with an Act of Congress: "An ACT Making Further Provision for Securing and Collecting the Duties on foreign and Domestic Distilled Spirits, Stills, Wines and Teas." At its conclusion it is signed in type by the President; Go. Washington,
This Act of Congress was notable to the troubling Whiskey Rebellion i... See More
Early version of the Articles of Confederation...
Item #677958
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1775
* Early Version of the Articles of Confederation
* Captain Cook and his voyage to the South Pacific
Over three pages taken up with: "Protest entered in the Upper House Against the Bill for Prohibiting all Commercial intercourse with the Confederated Colonies" which is very good reading in defense of America.
... See More
* Early Version of the Articles of Confederation
* Captain Cook and his voyage to the South Pacific
Over three pages taken up with: "Protest entered in the Upper House Against the Bill for Prohibiting all Commercial intercourse with the Confederated Colonies" which is very good reading in defense of America.
This newspaper existed for just one year... Botany Bay...
Item #694555
December 06, 1796
THE NEW WORLD, Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1796 A very scarce title, existing only from Aug. 15, 1796 thru Aug. 16, 1797, just one year. This issue is from the private collection.
Page 3 has: "Botany Bay" which is present-day Australia. The letter from Governor Hunter, New South Wales, begins: "This settlement is wonderfully improved since the time I left it. It appears now to beam... See More
Lewis and Clark begin their epic Voyage of Discovery...
Item #702703
November 26, 1803
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL & MASSACHUSETTS FEDERALIST, Boston, Nov. 26,1803 Page 2 has several items concerning the recent Louisiana Purchase, but certainly the most significant is a report from Louisville noting: "Capt. Clark, and Mr. Lewis, have left this place in the prosecution of their expedition to the westward. They have been sent thereon by the President of the United States. The ob... See More
Rare period print of the yacht America after having just won the famous race...
Item #671223
October 25, 1851
THE SATURDAY EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Oct. 25, 1851
* 1st America's Cup race
* Schooner Yacht "America"
The front page features a nice print of the yacht: "The America", which to our knowledge is the only period print of the racing yacht America having just won the historic race against 14 other competitors. A similar print appears is the Illus. London News ... See More
Uriah Levy's death report... John Wilkes Booth perfoms on stage...
Item #675334
March 24, 1862
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, March 24, 1862
* Uriah P. Levy death (1st report)
* 1st Jewish commodore of U.S. Navy
* American Civil War - Jews
* John Wilkes Booth performs
Perhaps the most notable content is the very brief, but historic page 3 report of the death of Commodore (Admiral) Uriah P. Levy, the first U.S. Jewish Commodore, War of 1812 hero, and credited for abolishing the disci... See More
Little girl admonishes Lincoln to let his whiskers grow...
Item #675345
February 18, 1861
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 18, 1861
* President-elect Abraham Lincoln
* Grace Bedell encourages him to grow a beard
Over half of page 5 is taken up with fine and detailed coverage of Lincoln's continued trip from his home in Illinois to Washington, D.C. The heads include: "THE PRESENT ELECT EN ROUTE" "Incidents and Casualties" 'Old Abe Kissed by a Pretty Girl&... See More
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Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
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P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
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Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
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