Historic Newspapers: Christmas

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL & MASSACHUSETTS FEDERALIST, Boston, Oct. 15, 1803  The top of page 2 has: Congress" which begins: "Is to meet at Washington on Monday next. The Louisiana treaty must immediately be taken up; as by one of its stipulations, the ratification must be on or before the first appropriations..." and much more.
Page 2 also has a curious & brief item: "Buonaparte has declared he will eat his Christmas dinner in London."
Four pages, some foxing, a bit irregular at the blank spine…

THE CRYSTAL HUNTER, (New York), Jan. 6, 1827  A very short-lived magazine which began on Dec. 1, 1826 and ended on May 26, 1827, lasting just half a year. This is the volume 1 number 6 issue. It seems to be primarily a literary magazine. Items include: "Murder & Repentance" "Henry IV of France" "Marquis La Fayette"  "Rational Recreations For Christmas" and more. The back page has a list of "Masonic Officers" in the city of New York.
Complete in 36 pages, disbound, minor margin wear, 5 1/4 by…

THE PICTORIAL TIMES with SUPPLEMENT, London, December 28, 1844  The cover of the issue contains "The New Statue of William IV., London Bridge".  Within the issue are "Pictorial History of Birmingham (continued story)" with illustrations; "Christmas-Tide and New Year's Day"; literary content with illustrations, other content and advertisements.

This issue includes a Supplement entitled "London From The Thames - Ancient and Modern" which contains many illustrations.

This is complete in 24…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1857  Few titles from the 19th century are as well known to the general public as this one, very widely circulated and often cited by contemporaries of the day. This newspaper would publish for 60 years and did much to document--in its many prints--the lifestyles of America in the last half of the 19th century, and for better or worse brought the horror of the Civil War into every American home. This is the volume one, number one issue--the first ever…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 4, 1857  The front page features an article entitled "After Walker, What Next?" Inside: 'The Story of India Rubber' includes an illustration of 'Charles Goodyear, the American Inventor' and illustrations of 'Tapping the Rubber Tree'. "An Albany Dutchman in Holland" which features several small illustrations.
Complete in 16 pages, in good condition as shown and contains additional prints and/or related text.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 26, 1857  Nice front page illustration and article on: 'The Hon. Stephen A. Douglas'. A two page story entitled: 'The Wonders of Santa Claus' includes eight illustrations, four of which show Santa Claus. Very early illustration of Santa.
Also included is text coverage of" "The Mormon War". "American Homes in New York Hotels" also features several illustrations.
Complete in 12 pages, in good condition as shown and contains additional prints and related…

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Dec. 25, 1858  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative & patriotic border around all pages.
The front page has a nice print captioned: "An Allegorical Picture of Christmas". Among prints inside is: "The American Steamer Savannah, the First Ocean Steamship"
Eight pages, nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1858 

* Illustrator Winslow Homer
* Christmas prints & Santa Claus

The front page features a print: "Santa Claus Paying His Usual Christmas Visit to His Young Friends" shows him in a sleigh pulled by a turkey, with many toys. This is an early image of Santa Claus before the more common imagine created by Thomas Nast changed his appearance forever.
Inside pages have four prints by famed artist Winslow Homer: "The Christmas Tree" plus 3 more half…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 25, 1858  The front page features a print: "Santa Claus Paying His Usual Christmas Visit to His Young Friends" shows him in a sleigh pulled by a turkey, with many toys. This is an early image of Santa Claus before the more common imagine created by Thomas Nast changed his appearance forever.
Inside pages have four prints by famed artist Winslow Homer: "The Christmas Tree" plus 3 more half page Christmas-themed prints captioned: "Christmas - Gathering…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 5, 1859. An interesting medical issue, with a two page article: 'Dr. Horace Green and His Method', showing several medical instruments, and three 'Anatomical Views of the Throat, Lungs, etc.'
The front page features a nearly halfpage illustration "A Difference of Opinion" which is a dual view on embracing the cold. An article "How Royal Youths Enjoy Themselves in Europe" also has illustrations. A nearly  halfpage illustration "Hon. John Cochrane, Member of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 24, 1859 The frontpage features a story "Hester Pratt's New-Year's Day" and has a nearly half-page illustration "The Blind Girl at Hester Pratt's Table". A two-thirds page "The Proposed New Parliament Buildings at Ottawa City, Canada" also has an accompanying article. A very decorative doublepage centerfold is by Winslow Homer: "A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year" includes four vignettes.
Complete in 16 pages, in good condition, and contains additional…

ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Dec. 24, 1859  In addition to the regular issue, this listing includes the rare/collectible color plates originally included with the "Christmas Supplement", but have often been removed. 
Not surprisingly there are a number of Christmas-themed prints, but the highlight would be the 3 color plates within, they being a two-page print: "Game", a single page print: "Blackbird and Thrush, In Covert", and a single page: "Shepherd's Christmas" all in very nice,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 21, 1860  The full front page shows: "Ruins of the Pemberton Mills, At Lawrence, Massachusetts...". The doublepage centerfold has has 12 comic vignettes titled: "A Broadsheet of Good Things, by John Leech". Also a three-quarter page print: "The Ball at Tammany Hall, New York...In Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans". There are also several smaller prints accompanying the literary articles.
Complete in sixteen pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 28, 1860  Featured is a very nice doublepage centerfold: "Skating On the Ladies' Skating Pond in the Central Park, New York" by famed artist Winslow Homer. Many other prints within including: "The Late Lord Macaulay"; 3 prints of: "Irving Park, Tarrytown" New York; plus more. Two cartoons on the back page.
Complete in sixteen pages.

Harper's Weekly, November 24, 1860 through December 29, 1860. This is a six-issue set (part 1) of Harper's Weekly containing the Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" in serialization format. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.

This set would look great displayed in one of our 17 inch by 14 inch display cases which can be viewed at www.rarenewspapers.com/folders.aspx (or by returning to the home page and selecting "storage and display…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Dec. 22, 1860  Nice full front page illus: 'The Seceding South Carolina Delegation' is by Winslow Homer. Fullpg: 'Christmas-Day Then & Now' and fullpg: 'Santa Claus' is a small print of him & larger on people shopping.  
This issue also contains a serialized portion of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens.
Complete in 16 pages.

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 24, 1860 

* Southern crisis
* Secession talks
* Christmas eve

Considerable reporting on not just South Carolina leaving the Union, but other events that would soon lead to war.
Heads include: "The Carnival of Treason" "Secessionists In A Fog" "The Border States" "Mr. Cushing's Visit to Charleston" "The Secession Movement" "From Georgia" "The Secession Movement--South Carolina".
Eight pages, very nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Dec. 29, 1860 Full ftpg: 'Christmas Day, 1860' shows a family at Christmas dinner. Nice fullpg: 'Christmas Chimes at Trinity Church, N.Y.   This issue also contains a serialized portion of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens.  In addition, the 1st installment of  "Dickens's Christmas Story - A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA" is also present, taking nearly 6 pages of text.
Complete in 16 pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 5, 1861 through February 9, 1861. This is a six-issue set (part 2) of Harper's Weekly containing the Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" in serialization format. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.

This set would look great displayed in one of our 17 inch by 14 inch display cases which can be viewed at www.rarenewspapers.com/folders.aspx (or by returning to the home page and selecting "storage and display…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 5, 1861  The full front page is by Winslow Homer & has: 'The Georgia Delegation in Congress' showing 10 men. Also by Winslow Homer is the doublepage centerfold: "Seeing the Old Year Out".
Other prints within include: "New Year's Eve in the Country", plus there is a serialized portion of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. In addition, the second installment of  "Dickens's Christmas Story - A MESSAGE FROM THE SEA" is also present, taking nearly 7 pages.
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 12, 1861  Much of front page is taken up with a print of: "Major Anderson, U.S.A., Commanding At Ft. Sumter" with a biography of him. Also in this issue is a dramatic full page: "The Battle of New Orleans, Fought Jan. 8, 1815" & "Sketches of Ft. Moultrie" which has 5 prints; "Senator Seward's Arabian Horses--Maanake Hedroge and Siklauy-Gidran" "Occupation of Castle Pickney by the Charleston Militia" and "Entry of Anderson's Command into Ft. Sumter on Christmas…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 19, 1861  The front page has 4 prints: "Hon. Francis W. Pickens, Governor of South Carolina" "Hon. Judge Magrath, Sec. of State of South Carolina" "Rev. Dr. Bachman Who Asked a Blessing on the Secession Ordinance" and "The Charleston Zouaves". Prints inside include: "Mr. Rarey and Cruiser (horse)"; a: "Map Showing the Forts, Islands, etc. of the Harbor of Charleston, South Carolina";  and "Fort Johnson, Opposite Fort Sumter, Harbor of Charleston, South…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 26, 1861  The front page shows: "The Prayer at Sumter". Other prints inside include: "Firing on the 'Star of the West' from the South Carolina Battery on Morris Island" "Group of Guns & Gun Carriages Dismantled by Major Anderson at Fort Moultrie" "Battery at Fort Moultrie, Bearing on Fort Sumter", a full page: "Fort Sumter, Seen from the Rear, at Low Water" and also: "Main Battery at Fort Sumter, Bearing on Fort Moultrie and the Channel". Also: "Fort Sumter--The…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 4, 1862  The full front page is a notable Winslow Homer print: "Christmas Boxes in Camp, 1861", which does show some mild margin wear as this was the first page in the volume.
Among the prints inside are a full page with 4 scenes of a: "General view of Ship Island, showing the Landing of General Phelps's Brigade"; a full page: "Bird's-eye View of the Coast from Savannah, Ga. to Beaufort, S.C."; nice doublepage centerfold is a large: "General Bird's-Eye View…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 11, 1862  The full front page is a print captioned: "Sinking The Stone Fleet In Charleston Harbor". Inside has a full page: "The Battle of Dranesville" l full page with 6 prints of: "In & About Port Royal, South Carolina"; a full page with 2 prints of: "The Defenses of Washington--Fort Lyon, on the Heights of Hunting Creek..." and "The Defenses of Washington--Fort Ellsworth, South of Alexandria"; a full page map of a: "General View of the Mississippi River…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 6, 1862  The full front page is taken up with a nice print of: "Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks, United States Army". Other prints inside include: 'The United States Iron-Clad 'Passaic' as She Will Appear at Sea" "Interior of the Turret of the 'Passaic'" "Aquia Creek, on the Potomac, New Base of Supplies of the Army of the Potomac", a full page & detailed "Map of Richmond, Virginia". Also two portraits: "The Prince of Wales and His Intended Bride, the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 20, 1862  The full front page shows: "Identification of Indian Murderers in Minnesota by a Boy Survivor of the Massacre". Other prints inside include: "Belle Plains, on the Potomac--Burnside's Principal Commissary Depot" showing a long wagon train. Fullpg. has three prints: "Seminary at La Grange, Tennessee, Now Used as a Prison", "Davis Mills, On the Mississippi and Ohio Railroad" and "Grand Junction (Tennessee) of the Memphis and Charleston and Mississippi…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 27, 1862 The full front page is a very dramatic battle scene captioned: "The Attack on Fredericksburg--The Forlorn Hope Scaling the Hill" which would a nice print for display. Other prints inside include: "The Bombardment of Fredericksburg by the Army of the Potomac", and a full page & very detailed map of Eastern Virginia from Fredericksburg to Richmond. The doublepage centerfold is by the famed artist Thomas Nast, titled: "A Battle as Seen by the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 3, 1863  The full front front page is an illustration of "Santa Claus in Camp", this being the very first representation of Santa Claus by Thomas Nast in this publication. Inside the doublepage centerfold has two large illustrations of "Christmas Eve, 1862.", by Thomas Nast.
A full page illustration has two 1/2 pg. prints of: "The Attack on the Rebel Works at Fredericksburg by the Centre Grand Division of the Army of the Potomac, on December 13, 1862" and…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 17, 1863  Certainly the most historic content would be the page 2 complete printing of: "By the President of the United States of America - A Proclamation" which is the full text of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed in type by the President: Abraham Lincoln.
Half of the front page: "The Teamsters' Duel" showing two Black men with horse whips. The other half of the front page shows: "The Army of the Potomac in Hunts".
Perhaps the most notable print is a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 7, 1863  The full front page is taken up with prints of: "Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, Commanding Mississippi flotilla" and "Major-General John A. M'Clernand" as well as a nice print showing: "Bombardment of the Post of Arkansas, January 11, 1863."
Inside contains a full page with 3 views of: "Our New Western gunboats--Lafayette--Choctaw--Indianola". Also: "Torpedo In the Western Rivers" "Stockade on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad" "Major-General Joseph…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1863  This anti-war newspaper insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently, much content has an anti-North bias.
Articles within include: "Civil Libery of the Soldiers" "Another Draft" "The Republican & Rebel Allies North & South" "The Coming Congress to Abolish Slavery" "The Morals of Abolitionism" "Lincoln A Shakspearian Critic" includes a letter signed by him: A. Lincoln; "The American Freeman's 'Petition of Right' " "The American Question

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 26, 1863  The feature of this issue is the very displayable doublepage centerfold titled: "Christmas, 1863" which includes 6 vignettes by Thomas Nast, one showing Santa Claus with his bag over his back looking over two sleeping children. This is a very displayable print which measures about 16 by 21 inches.
The front page has two prints: "Hon. Schuyler Colfax, The New Speaker of the House" and "Capture of the Steamer 'Chesapeake' by British Pirates". Inside…

DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, Dec. 28, 1863  

* From the capital of the Confederacy
* Christmas holidays in the South

The front page includes: "City Intelligence" "Major Edgar Burroughs" "From the Rapid Ann" "The Army of Tennessee" "A Dash Upon Cleveland, Tennessee" "a letter from Salem, Virginia" which concerns Roanoke College; "Alleged Yankee Spy" and other war-related reports.
The back page includes the always interesting editorial, this one beginning: "Christmas & the…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 2, 1864  Part of front page is a cross section: 'Diagram of Monitor 'Weehawken' Sunk in Charleston Harbor'. Also on the ftpg. are prints of: "Frederick VII, Late King of Denmark" and "Christian IX, Present King of Denmark".
Inside has full page prints captioned: "The Army of the Cumberland--General Baird's Division Capturing the Rebel Guns on the Left of Missionary Ridge" and also: "Different Systems of Sailing In The Air" shows some interesting (and…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Jan. 2, 1864 The front page shows: "The Guerrilla War on the Mississippi-- Explosion of a Shell in the Ladies' Saloon on the Steamer Welcome, at Waterproof, Miss.".
Inside the issue is full page "H. R. Majesty's Steamer Majestic Watching the Rebel Rams in Mersey" and "The Siege of Charleston - Singing of the Monitor Weehawken, Dec. 7"; halfpage "The War in Mississippi - M'Pherson's Troops Foraging at the Rebel General Whitfield's Headquarters" and "An…

THE HOUSTON TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, Nov. 9, 1864 

* Very rare issue from the Southwest Confederacy

Newspapers from Texas are very uncommon, particularly from before or during the Civil War period. Here is an issue from the midst of the war, one of the earliest war-dated issues we have offered in recent years.
The front page has over 2 columns taken up with a terrific speech given by Jefferson Davis headed: "The President's Speech at Augusta" and addressed to the: "Ladies and gentlemen,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Dec. 3, 1864  The front page has: 'The Rebel Flag of Truce Boat 'Beauregard' with Savannah in the Distance" & "The Rebel Flag of Truce Boats Coming down the Savannah River". Nice fullpg. prints include 2 scenes of: "Our Blockading Fleet Off Wilmington, N.C." and three views of: "In & Around Martinsburg, Virginia". A nearly halfpg: "Capture of the Blockade Runner 'Annie' " and a one-quarter pg: "Great Tunnel Under Pittsburg, Penna." Also a print of: "The Late Mr. John Leech".
…

THE DAILY SOUTHERN GUARDIAN, Columbia, South Carolina, Dec. 7, 1864 

* Rare Confederate publication

A rather rare title and great that it includes the word “Southern”.
The front page has reports from the Confederate Congress, as well as a document from the "Subsistence Department" and an: "Exchange Notice" on the exchange of prisoners (see).
The back page has much reporting from the War including: a letter to the governor signed by: Braxton Bragg; "Christmas Dinner for the Soldiers"…

DAILY EXAMINER, Richmond, Virginia, Dec. 20, 1864  

* Rare rebel publication

Not just a newspaper from the Confederacy, but from the capital of the Confederate states.
The front page has: "The War News" with subheads "Southwestern Virginia" & "Savannah". Also: "City Intelligence" "A Timely Invention" "The Soldiers' Christmas Dinner" "The Commissary General of Prisoners" "The Courts" "The Raid In Western Virginia" and "High Prices of Negroes"  plus many ads, including one: "$2,000…

DAILY DISPATCH, Richmond, Virginia, Dec. 24, 1864  

* Capital of the Confederacy
* Battle of Franklin, Tennessee
* Sherman investing Savannah

Among the front page reports on the Civil War from the Confederate capital are: "The Art & Science of War" "Amusements of the Yankee Generals in Georgia" "Confederate Account of the Battle of Franklin" "Furloughs in the Navy".
More reports inside include: "Later from the North" "Around Petersburg" "Confederate Congress" "The Investment of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 24, 1864  The full front pager is taken up with prints of: "The Chief Justices of the United States" with Salmon Chase as the central print, surrounded by John Jay, Oliver Ellsworth, Roger B. Taney, and John Marshall.
Many nice prints within including a full page: "View of the Stations on Grant's Military Railroad from City Point to His Extreme Left" showing 12 prints. Other prints include: "The Attack on Fort Bateman at the Capture of Plymouth, North Carolina"…

DAILY EXAMINER, Richmond, Virginia, Dec. 24, 1864 

* Capital of the Confederacy
* President Abraham Lincoln
* General P. G. T. Beauregard

Not just a newspaper from the Confederate states, but from the capital of the Confederacy. The front page has: "The War News--Affairs In the Valley & Around Gordonsville" which includes a dispatch signed in type by: G. T. Beauregard, General (see photos). Also: "City Intelligence" "The New Year's Dinner to General Lee's Army" & other smaller items.…

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's famous dispatch to: "His Excellency, President Lincoln: I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns…

NEW YORK HERALD, Dec. 26, 1864  

* Christmas present to Abraham Lincoln
* General William T. Sherman
* March to the sea completed
* Savannah GA Georgia captured

An historic issue reporting the fall of Savannah to the Union forces, with one of the more notable quotes part of the headlines.
The front page has: "SHERMAN" "His Christmas Gift to the Nation" "Capture of the City of Savannah" and more.  The dispatch to Lincoln, signed by W. T. Sherman is included as well: "I beg to present…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 31, 1864  

* Wilmington, North Carolina
* Collapse of the Confederacy

Among the column herads on gthe Civil War: "WILMINGTON" "General Plan of Attack...Operations of the Fleet - Landing of the Troops..." "News From Sherman - Mails - The Powder Boat" "Gen. Stoneman's Recent Raid" "The Wilmington Failure" "From Gen. Thomas' Army" and more.
Eight pages, good condition.

Background: The December 31, 1864, edition of the New York Tribune stands as a profound historical time…

DAILY DISPATCH, Richmond, Virginia, Jan. 25, 1865  The front page has a lengthy article: "Cromwell, Lincoln and Virginia" providing a historical connection between Oliver Cromwell and Lincoln's actions. The front page also has: "The Savannah Patriots" noting: "...letter from a lady in Savannah...since the fall of Savannah. It shows who have been delighted at the arrival of the Yankees..." followed by a lengthy letter which notes near the end: "...I am nearly beside myself with joy. Loot…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 28, 1865  The front page prints include: "The Ocean Monitor 'Dictator' ", "Hon. William Dennison, Postmaster General" and "General H. W. Slocum". Inside has a full page print: " 'Tween Decks After Action--News From Home".
Other prints include: "New Year's Day in Savannah--General Sherman's Reception at Mr. Green's" "Christmas-Day in Savannah--General Sherman's Christmas Dinner at Mr. Green's" "The Late Edward Everett" "Rear View of the Howlett House Battery as…