The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
Patriotic masthead after a Revere engraving... Much on the Revolutionary War...
Item #701404
May 14, 1778
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, May 14, 1778
* Paul Revere masthead engraving (copied)
* Rare American Revolutionary War title
A nice issue for display, as the masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll ... See More
A very rare comic newspaper...
Item #701295
March 11, 1899
THE JOURNALISTS' CLUB BAZOO, Baltimore, March 11, 1899
* Very rare one-off publication
An interesting and quite rare comic newspaper (bazoo is slang for mouth), noted sa "Vol. 12,999" and issue: "No. 000".
The drama it, full column headlines relate to a report--in very small type at the bottom: "...a newspaper man...as yet unknown...was detected in t... See More
General Howe proclamations in a 1777 Tory newspaper... The latest war news...
Item #692829
November 26, 1777
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 26, 1777
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
* General William Howe proclamations
This was a strongly Tory newspaper published in Philadelphia when the British were in occupation. It began in 1775 and ended when the British evacuated the city in May of 1778. Not surprisingly, the ... See More
Fall of Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy...
Item #689661
April 04, 1865
NEW YORK HERALD, April 4, 1865
* Fall of Richmond VA Virginia
* Civil War nearing the end
First column heads on the front page about the fall of Richmond: "GRANT" "Richmond Ours" "Weitzel Entered the Rebel Capital Yesterday Morning" "Many Guns Captured" "Our Troops Received with Enthusiasm" "The City On Fire" "Pe
... See More
* Fall of Richmond VA Virginia
* Civil War nearing the end
First column heads on the front page about the fall of Richmond: "GRANT" "Richmond Ours" "Weitzel Entered the Rebel Capital Yesterday Morning" "Many Guns Captured" "Our Troops Received with Enthusiasm" "The City On Fire" "Pe
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown...
Item #697208
THE LONDON MAGAZINE, London, December and the Appendix issue for the year 1781* Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown VA Virginia
* Revolutionary War from the enemy
Certainly the most historic report in this issue--and perhaps in any issue from the Revolutionary War--is that near the back of the issue under "American Affairs". It is an "Extract... See More
Ulysses S. Grant clarifies his infamous "Jew Order"....
Item #698331
November 30, 1868
NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 30, 1868
* General Ulysses S. Grant
* General Order No. 11 - Jews
Page 2 has a very significant Judaica item headed: "Gen. Grant's Jew Order" "Why It Was Issued--A Statement of the Circumstances of the Case."
This relates to Ulysses S. Grant's General Order #11 from during the Civil War, known as the infamous "Jew O
... See More
* General Ulysses S. Grant
* General Order No. 11 - Jews
Page 2 has a very significant Judaica item headed: "Gen. Grant's Jew Order" "Why It Was Issued--A Statement of the Circumstances of the Case."
This relates to Ulysses S. Grant's General Order #11 from during the Civil War, known as the infamous "Jew O
First use of the popular term "Ivy League"...
Item #698511
February 07, 1935
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, Feb. 7, 1935
* Very 1st use of the term "Ivy League"
* Collegiate athletic conference
* Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, etc.
* One of a kind item here ?
Page 6 contains a rather mundane, one-column article headed: "Brown Seems to Have Been Taken Into 'Ivy League' " but it is significant for being the very first use of the... See More
The Jay Treaty: preventing another war...
Item #697906
July 13, 1795
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, July 9 and 13, 1795
* John - Jay's Treaty
* George Washington
A very significant pair of issues as they contain, in its entirety, the full text of the Jay Treaty, one of the more significant 18th century documents in American history.
Taking all of the front page and a bit of page 2 in the July 9,
concluding in the issue... See More
First report on John F. Kennedy's assassination... In a Dallas newspaper...
Item #705932
November 22, 1963
THE DALLAS TIMES HERALD, Texas, November 22, 1963
* John F. Kennedy assassination
* Best title to be had (1st report)
Serious collectors always try to obtain historic newspapers from the city where the event happened. For JFK's assassination that would be a Dallas newspaper.
Of the two newspapers which published in Dallas in 1963 only the TIMES HERALD reported the assassina... See More
An opportunity for a newspaper that never existed...
Item #695785
October 01, 1943
THE EDITOR'S DREAM, 'September 31"
* Fake publication w/ a futuristic headline
As the title of the newspaper implies, this is not a legitimate newspaper but rather a "dream" headline any publisher would love to print.
In large type is: “NAZIS QUIT ! ” “Hitler Seized in Mountain Hideout: Nazi Chiefs Nabbed“ with a photo showing Hitler behind bar... See More
Colonists against the Stamp Act are warned of consequences.... Stamp distributor is forced to resign....
Item #703953
November 07, 1765
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 7, 1765
* The Stamp Act crisis
* Sir Francis Bernard speech
* Boston riots response
The front page has a report from Boston appointing a committee to be comprised of James Otis & Sam Adams, among others, to offer thanks for "...his Majesty's...noble, generous & truly patriotic speeches...in favour of the Colonies, their... See More
Print of the siege of Rhode Island... Treaty with France...
Item #678171
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1779 This issue leads off with reports on the debates in Parliament, which include discussion on the Revolutionary War, including: "...the conduct of the army under the command of Gen. Howe; he seized the opportunity of painting in the blackest colours the ingratitude of the Americans; & concluded with exhorting the House to unanimity in p... See More
From when Norfolk, Virginia, was held by Union forces...
Item #701586
May 10, 1862
THE NEW REGIME, Norfolk, Virginia, March 27, 1864 A Union occupation newspaper, as the Union forces occupied the city on May 10, 1862. It remained under martial law through the remainder of the Civil War.
This is the volume 1, number 28 issue. Page 2 includes: "War Intelligence" "Reorganization of the Army of the Potomac" which includes a lengthy document signed in type ... See More
Official report that the Louisiana Purchase treaty has been concluded...
Item #684523
July 25, 1803
BOSTON GAZETTE, July 25, 1803
* The Louisiana Purchase Treaty
Page 2 has: "By the President of the United States...A PROCLAMATION" calling for a special session of Congress, signed in type: Th. Jefferson.
This is followed by a very historic report headed: "Louisiana - Official" which mentions in part: "Dispatches from the American ministers at Paris...contain ... See More
Lincoln's first inaugural address... "We are not enemies, but friends"...
Item #688044
March 08, 1861
KENNEBEC JOURNAL, Augusta, Maine, March 8, 1861
* President Abraham Lincoln
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* "We are not enemies, but friends"
Page 3 begins with the: "Inaugural Address" which is signed in type at its conclusion: Abraham Lincoln. It takes nearly 2 columns.
Page 2 has a lengthy editorial on: "Lincoln's Inaugural". It includes in ... See More
Robert Smalls leads fellow slaves to freedom... The USS Planter...
President Lincoln repeals General Hunter's order (no. 11), which had emancipated slaves...
Item #712734
May 24, 1862
NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, May 24, 1862
* General David Hunter order
* Emancipation of slaves
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs
* Robert Smalls - born in slavery
* Leads fellow slaves to freedom
Page 2 begins with: "Gen. Hunter Overruled". This concerns the controversial situation where Hunter pronounced slaves free in Florida, Georgia & South Carolina, previous to Lincol... See More
Killing of Booth & the Lincoln funeral...
Item #688987
May 13, 1865
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, May 13, 1865
* Killing of John Wilkes Booth
* President Abraham Lincoln funeral
* Prints - illustrations - wood engravings
The front page shows: "Sergeant Boston Corbett, the Man who shot Booth" as well as a dramatic print of: "The Killing of Booth, the Assassin--The Dying Murderer drawn from the Barn where he had Taken Refuge.... See More
Criticizing Burgoyne for his failure in America...
Item #705295
October 02, 1779
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Oct. 2, 1779
* American Revolutionary War
* Gen. John Burgoyne failures
* re. Battles of Saratoga surrender
Almost the entire front page is taken up with a letter: "To Lieutenant-General Burgoyne" taken from a London newspaper and reprinted here.
Not surprisingly, the theme is critical of Burgoyne, who is be... See More
England recognizes America as free and independent? Battle of Eutaw Springs...
Item #704127
May 06, 1782
THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, May 6, 1782
* England recognizes America free w/ independence ?
* Battle of Eutaw Springs - South Carolina
* American Revolutionary War original
* Nice patriotic masthead engraving for display
One of the best features of this issue is the masthead engraving which features a very patriotic theme: "All Han... See More
Exceedingly rare Napoleon occupation newspaper...
Item #705267
May 01, 1811
COURRIER D'AMSTERDAM or the COURIER VAN AMSTERDAM, May 1, 1811 (No. 122)
* Exceedingly rare Napoleon Bonaparte occupation newspaper
This was a daily newspaper published in Amsterdam during the French occupation of Holland. It is bilingual: half printed in French and half in Dutch. Two mastheads as well, one in each language.
In 1810 Napoleon Bonaparte annexed Holland to his empire... See More
British officers revolt in New Jersey... News from Pensacola...
Item #703661
August 03, 1767
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE, Philadelphia, Aug. 3, 1767
* Pre Revolutionary War tensions
* Colonial - Anti-British publication
A fine, colonial newspaper offering a flavor of life in America during the tumultuous period shortly after the Stamp Act, during the hated Quartering Act & Townshend Acts era, and before tensions would boil over with the Boston Massacre of 1770, the T... See More
The coronation of King George III...
Item #689557
September 29, 1761
THE LONDON CHRONICLE: or, UNIVERSAL EVENING POST, London, Sept. 29, 1761
* George III of the United Kingdom
The front page begins the report on the coronation of King George III. "This day his Majesty King George the Third, and Queen Charlotte, were crowned in the abbey church of Westminster, with the ceremonies accustomed upon that great and glorious solemnity...". The artic... See More
Very rare 17th century title, lasting only 18 months...
Item #699488
October 03, 1681
THE DOMESTICK INTELLIGENCE: Or NEWS both from CITY AND COUNTRY Impartially Related, London, Oct. 3, 1681
* Very rare 17th century publication
A very rare and early British newspaper, not to be confused with two others having a similar title. This newspaper was published by Thomas Benskins and existed for just 18 months. Only one American institution has this issue in their holdings. T... See More
Perhaps the very best issue reporting the Monitor vs. the Merrimac...
Item #701590
March 14, 1862
NEW YORK HERALD, March 14, 1862
* Battle of Hampton Roads, Virginia
* Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack (CSSVirginia)
* Civil War ironclads w/ map
This is arguably the best newspaper to have on the famous naval battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, with the front page dominated by a large and detailed map headed: "THE BATTLE OF THE IRON-CLAD STEAMERS. Scene of the... See More
One of the earliest 17th century newspapers you will find...
Item #689694
September 10, 1639
GAZETTE, Paris, France, Sept. 10, 1639 (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 Rome, Frankfort, Cologne & elsewhere. There are no advertisements.
This was the very first regular newspaper published in France, started in 163... See More
Celebrating peace with England...
Item #703320
June 02, 1783
INDEPENDENT LEDGER, AND AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, June 2, 1783 One of the best features of this issue is the masthead engraving which features a very patriotic theme: "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united colonies having a common, patriotic purpose. One of the more patriotic masthead engravings of the Revolutionary War era.
Page 2 has a d
... See More
The Siege of Ninety-Six and more military events in South Carolina...
Item #696741
August 28, 1781
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, August 28, 1781
* Siege of Nintey Six - South Carolina
* General Nathanael Greene defeat
* American Revolutionary War
Half of page 2 is taken up with a letter from Major General Greene in which he officers much on the Siege of Ninety-Six.
Additional reports carry over to page 3 with much more detail on the military event... See More
Lewis and Clark return from their historic journey...
Item #702423
November 05, 1806
CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Nov. 5, 1806
* Lewis and Clark Expedition letter
* Safe return - homeward bound
Page 2 begins with a notable report on the arrival of Lewis and Clark in St. Louis, after their 2-1/2 year expedition.
It begins: "It is, with the sincerest pleasure, that we announce to our fellow citizens, the arrival of CAPTAIN LEWIS, with his exploring party,... See More
Deaths of Joseph Haydn and Thomas Paine...
Item #684914
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1809* Deaths of Joseph Haydn and Thomas Paine
The obituary listing inside includes: "At New York, the notorious Thomas Pain [sic]; whose death is an admonitory event; may the lesson that it inculcates be impressive..." & more. The opposing page has: "In Guppendorff, aged 76, Joseph Haydn, the celebrated composer... ju... See More
On the Lewis & Clark Expedition, reported on the front page...
Item #702570
March 05, 1806
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 5, 1806
* Thomas Jefferson message to U.S. Congress
* First published information on Lewis and Clark
The front page has a nice "Message" to the Congress signed in type by the President: Th. Jefferson, with much concerning the Lewis & Clark Expedition, including: "...Capt. Meriwether Lewis...was appointed, with a party of men, to ex... See More
Review & Ad of "The Black Crook" - the first full-fledged Broadway musical...
Item #711393
September 13, 1866
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 13, 1866
* "The Black Crook" opening premiere w/ review
* First musical theatre performance of the first modern-day musical!
* Niblo's Garden - Broadway - New York City
Page 4 has a review of the first performance of "The Black Crook" from the previous evening, which is quite lengthy & complimentary. Near the end it notes: "..... See More
Detailing how supportive England has been to the colonies...
Item #698043
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
President Lincoln repeals General Hunter's order (no. 11), which had emancipated slaves... Two mentions of Robert Smalls...
Item #712691
May 20, 1862
NEW YORK TIMES, May 20, 1862
* General David Hunter's Emancipation order
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs (nullifies)
* Robert Smalls & companions to be compensated
Page one has: "Gen. Hunter's Order Repudiated by the President" followed by: "He Pronounces it Void and of No Effect" "The Policy of the Administration Reiterated." The pronounceme... See More
A wealth of content concerning the Louisiana Territory... Lewis & Clark begin their journey...
Item #701336
November 23, 1803
NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 23, 1803
* Lewis and Clark Expedition begins
* Louisville, Kentucky - Ohio River
* re. Louisiana Purchase success
This is a wonderful issue on the recently concluded Louisiana Purchase.
Almost the entire front page is taken up with very detailed reporting on the Louisiana Purchase, with the first article: "Louisiana" taking over 2 columns. This is followed... See More
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
The first full-fledged Broadway musical...
Item #705696
September 12, 1866
NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 12, 1866
* "The Black Crook" opening premiere
* Very first musical theatre performance
* The first ever modern day musical
* Niblo's Garden - Broadway - New York City
A terrific and historic issue relating to the first theatrical musical, "The Black Crook".
As Wikipedia notes: "Its significance is being considered the fi... See More
The Wright Brothers: a very displayable issue...
Item #702435
June 12, 1909
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, June 12, 1909 If there was a publication that graphically portrayed the earliest years of flight — including the Wright brothers — this would be it. As any collector knows, newspapers of the first decade of the 20th century had exceedingly few graphics.
This front page features large photos of Orville and Wilbur Wright along
... See More
This front page features large photos of Orville and Wilbur Wright along
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
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
The famous Winslow Homer print "Waiting for a Bite"...
Item #713389
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
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
Rare newspaper printed on board a transcontinental train...
Item #704781
June 28, 1870
TRANS-CONTINENTAL, Laramie, Wyoming, June 28, 1870
* First Transcontinental Railroad "Overland Route"
* Very first excursion published newspaper (#9)
This is a very fascinating newspaper, borne in the ingenious mind of a publisher who decided to take a small printing press on board the first transcontinental railroad excursion and publish 6 issues westbound and 6 issues eastbound.... 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
Only one issue is recorded in the United States...
Item #701721
October 14, 1795
KLINE'S CARLISLE WEEKLY GAZETTE, Pennsylvania, Oct. 14, 1795
* Very rare 18th century publication
This is a very scarce title from 18th century America, the first we have been able to offer in 20 or more years. Brigham's "History & Bibliography of American Newspapers" notes that only the American Antiquarian Society has this issue.
Four pages, excellent conditio... See More
Woodhull & Claflin open the first women's brokerage firm on Wall Street...
Item #707356
February 06, 1870
NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 6, 1870 The top of the back page has an intriguing report of a very notable--yet widely unknown--Wall Street "first".
Under the column heads: "WALL STREET AROUSED" "The Female Brokers--The First Day's Operations--Manner of Their Reception by the 'Street'--A Word or Two Concerning the Adventurers" is the report of Victoria Woodhu... See More
Fine issue on Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga...
Item #703446
December 12, 1777
LLOYD'S EVENING POST, London, Dec. 12, 1777 This is a fine issue on the historic surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, the event which when learned in Europe encouraged further support for the American cause among the French & others.
Page 4 begins with a letter signed in type: Horatio Gates, datelined at Albany, October 19, 1777, that begins: "I have the pleasure to send your Hon... See More
Two Acts of Congress signed by George Washington... Will of Ben Franklin...
Item #701458
May 29, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, May 29, 1790 On page 3 beneath a woodcut of an eagle and shield are: "Laws Of The United States Published By Authority" containing: "An Act to prescribe the mode in which the public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proceedings in each state...", signed in type: John Adams, George Washington & Thomas Jefferson, plus a second Act conce... See More
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Williamsport, PA 17701
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Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
