Historic Newspapers: Coffee House (UK)
What we now refer to as "coffee-house newspapers" were originally distributed within 17th and 18th century English coffeehouses. For the price of a penny, customers purchased a cup of coffee and admission, which typically included a newspaper - often printed specifically for their patrons. Socially similar to English alehouses, the absence of alcohol created an atmosphere in which one could engage in more serious conversation as they perused their newspaper (source: adapted from Wikipedia). Many of these original coffeehouse newspapers are available for sale and are shown below. Please enjoy.
Found 22 Results
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Item #721949THE WEEKLY PACQUET OF ADVICE FROM ROME: OR, THE HISTORY OF POPERY, London, Jan. 28, 1680/1 (1681 by today's calendar).
* From the 17th century
* Rare variant publication
This was a fiercely anti-Catholic newspaper, created during the height of the "Popish Plot" hysteria (1678-1681), a fabricated conspiracy theory widely... Read full description -
Item #723098THE WEEKLY PACQUET OF ADVICE FROM ROME: OR, THE HISTORY OF POPERY, London, June 17, 1681
* From the 17th century
* Rare variant publication
This was a fiercely anti-Catholic newspaper, created during the height of the "Popish Plot" hysteria (1678-1681), a fabricated conspiracy theory widely believed at the time, that alleged a... Read full description -
Item #600518THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, 1682 A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This early singlesheet newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing (see photo) particularly with the over 300+ year old date clearly visible in the... Read full description -
Item #707101THE OBSERVATOR, London, March 19, 1683
* Rare publication w/ Woman publisher
* Hold something from the 17th century in your hands
This is a handsome dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. Done in a dialogue format, between Whig & Tory. This early single sheet... Read full description -
Item #601055THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, 1684-1686 A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This early singlesheet newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing (see photo) particularly with the over 300+ year old date clearly visible... Read full description -
Item #649262THE ATHENIAN MERCURY by John Dunton, London, England, 1692-1694. This was a fine gentleman's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide range of topics & one of the earliest periodicals in English. Partially in question/answer format. This newspaper was published before any American newspapers even... Read full description -
Item #120350THE ATHENIAN MERCURY by John Dunton, London, England, 1692-1694. This was a fine gentleman's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide range of topics & one of the earliest periodicals in English. Partially in question/answer format. This newspaper was published before any American newspapers even... Read full description
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Item #716157THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, March 19, 1692 This was the very first of the "agony aunt" newspapers, a newspaper providing personal advice to its readers.
In creating this format of responding to questions from readers, the publisher, John Dunton, did so as a result of feeling guilty for cheating on his wife. He thought that people like... Read full description -
Item #698987THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Nov. 19, 1692
* Rare 17th century publication
* Early optician, John Marshall ad
One of just four advertisements on the back page is a quite lengthy & descriptive ad beginning: "At the sign of the Archimedes and Spectacles in Ludgate street, the West End of St. Paul's Church, London,... Read full description -
Item #699463THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England Oct. 28, 1704
* Volume 1 - Number 13 issue
* Rare 18th century publication
A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal" and much less common. This is issue #13. In the masthead is the topic of the day: "The Observatory's Preparation for his Trial. The Argument of the Whiggs,... Read full description -
Item #649223THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England 1704-1705 A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal", and much less common. A single sheet newspaper printed on both sides measuring 8 by 13 inches. The image shown is only an example of the layout and condition of what you will receive. Actual issues vary within the specifications given.
Note: Upon request, we also have issues of "The Rehearsal". -
Item #120190THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England 1704-1706 A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal", and much less common. A single sheet newspaper printed on both sides measuring about 8 by 13 inches. The image shown is only an example of the layout and condition of what you will receive. Actual issues vary within the specifications given.
Note: Upon request, we also have issues of "The Rehearsal". -
Item #120202THE BRITISH APOLLO, OR CURIOUS AMUSEMENTS FOR THE INGENIOUS and subtitled: "To Which are Added the Most Material Occurrences Foreign and Domestick". Published in London, and "Perform'd by a Society of Gentlemen" as noted in the masthead, the date is 1708. The British Apollo appeared twice a week until issue 79, and then... Read full description -
Item #207535A REVIEW OF THE STATE OF THE BRITISH NATION, London, 1708 From research done by the prestigious London rare book firm of Pickering & Chatto, this is one of Daniel Defoe's greatest, but least known works. The Review covered his many interests, both literary and historical and was published twice and later three... Read full description -
Item #597046THE REHEARSAL, London, May 15, 1708
* Rare 18th century title
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Content is discussion of various topics. Unusual & seldom found. 12 3/4 by 7 1/4 inches. Minor archival mend on the reverse, very nice condition. -
Item #597162THE REHEARSAL, London, May 19, 1708
* Rare 18th century title
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Content is discussion of various topics as listed just above the dateline. Unusual & seldom found. 12 3/4 by 7 1/4 inches. Minor archival mend on the reverse, very nice condition. -
Item #699469THE REHEARSAL, London, Oct. 13, 1708
* Rare 18th century publication
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. It was published by Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Another source notes: "...in August 1704, he had started, in opposition to the ‘Observator’ and... Read full description -
Item #120488THE SPECTATOR, London, England, 1711-12 One of the more famous of the early newspapers - founded by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, trimmed, some light browning. A single sheet issue measuring approximately 8 by 11 1/2 inches. -
Item #649221THE SPECTATOR, London, England, 1711-12 One of the more famous of the early newspapers - founded by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, trimmed, some light browning. A single sheet issue measuring approximately 8 by 11 1/2 inches.
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Item #716205THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1731 This is just the third issue of this extremely successful magazine. Several editions of the first several issues were printed in the early 1730's so as to provide complete sets to customers as the success of the magazine grew, and based on the note at the bottom of the title/contents page this is the... Read full description -
Item #647194THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1732 The issue begins with 26 pages of "A View of the Weekly Disputes & Essays in this Month". This section has various reports from the many newspapers in England including the London Journal, The Craftsman, Applebee's Journal, Universal Spectator, Fog's Journal, the Free Briton, the Weekly... Read full description -
Item #616459THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1735 Near the back is a section headed: "Monthly Intelligencer" with news reports from various parts of England & Europe with one report under the heading: "Plantation Affairs" including: "From Georgia, that the 27th of December last the Indian Princes...arriv'd there in good health, pleas'd with their voyage. That colony... Read full description
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P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Weekdays, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
