Founding Fathers (U.S.)
Founding Fathers (U.S.)
From before George Washington was born...
Item #121028
THE DAILY ADVERTISER, London, 1730 See the photo for an example of this title from our archives. A "typical" newspaper from this period--from before George Washington was born. As the title would suggest, there are many advertisements, some quite fascinating. Also a partial red-inked tax stamp. An archival repair at the spine margin.Note that the photo is "generic"... See More
A 1733 newspaper from Germany...
Item #686269
January 03, 1733
NEUE ZEITUNGEN von GELCHRTEN SACHEN, Leipzig, Germany, 1733
* Rare miniature curiosity
A very early and tiny newspaper from this largest city in the German province of Saxony. The title roughly translates: "News From Learned Things". At this time George Washington was just one year old.
Eight pages, 4 by 6 1/2 inches, a few period notations at margins, great condition.... See More
A 1733 newspaper from Germany...
Item #686270
January 04, 1733
NEUE ZEITUNGEN von GELCHRTEN SACHEN, Leipzig, Germany, 1733 A very early and tiny newspaper from this largest city in the German province of Saxony. The title roughly translates: "News From Learned Things". At this time George Washington was just one year old.
Eight pages, 4 by 6 1/2 inches, a few period notations at margins, great condition.
George Washington was just 2 years old...
Item #121035
THE COUNTRY JOURNAL, OR THE CRAFTSMAN, London, 1734 A nice "typical" newspaper from England from when George Washington was just two years old. Various news of the day and many ads, a few of which have small illustrations.Complete in 4 pages & measures 10 1/2 by 14 1/2 inches, nice condition. The photo below is "generic" but the issue you receive will ha... See More
One of the earliest newspapers from the colonies...
Item #669851
April 03, 1735
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY MERCURY, Philadelphia, April 3, 1735
* Earliest of American newspapers
* Very early & rare
As any serious collector of newspapers knows, it is exceedingly difficult to find any colonial American newspapers from before 1760, let alone an issue from 1735. It began in 1719 and only published through 1749. It was the very first newspaper in all of the Middle Coloni... See More
The Great Awakening... Christian revival in New-Londonderry, PA...
Item #653754
May 21, 1743
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, Massachusetts, May 21, 1743
* Rare colonial periodical
This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #645581
March 10, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, Massachusetts, March 10, 1743,4 (year noted as such as it was 1743 or 1744 depending on which calendar was used).
* Very rare 18th century magazine
* 1st successful magazine in America
This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this t... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #681106
April 14, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 14, 1744
* Very rare 18th century magazine
* 1st successful magazine in America
This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of iss... See More
Great foldout map of Genoa, Italy... Early Ben Franklin item...
Item #667116
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1747
* 18th Century Genoa, Italy map
* "The Speech of Polly Baker"
* Early Benjamin Franklin story
Inside includes the well-known Ben Franklin item: "Speech of Molly Baker". This is the earliest Ben Franklin appearance in a Gentleman's Magazine and perhaps within any British publication, as confirmed by the
... See More
* 18th Century Genoa, Italy map
* "The Speech of Polly Baker"
* Early Benjamin Franklin story
Inside includes the well-known Ben Franklin item: "Speech of Molly Baker". This is the earliest Ben Franklin appearance in a Gentleman's Magazine and perhaps within any British publication, as confirmed by the
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
Ben Franklin's famous kite experiment...
Item #686746
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1752* Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment described
Inside has a terrific account of a legendary event in history--the famous kite experiment conducted by Benjamin Franklin. Note there is even mention of Franklin's name on the title page.
The article, datelined "Philadelphia, Oct. 19, 1752", begins by mentioning the r... See More
Benjamin Franklin receives an award...
Item #681445
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1753 Near the back is a small & inconspicuous item reading: "At the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society the prize medal of gold was voted to Ben Franklyn, Esq. of Maryland, for his electrical discoveries." Note that not only did they spell his name wrong but they have his home colony wrong.
At the back is the &q... See More
An award in Ben Franklin's honor... Indians kidnap several colonists...
Item #688741
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1753 * The Copley medal of the Royal Society
* Benjamin Franklin electricity experiments
Of particular interest is: "Annual Medal of the Royal Society" which has Ben Franklin's name on it. There is related text noting: "...This mark of distinction is double due to Mr. Franklin. It is due to him as a philosopher; it is ... See More
Poem to Ben Franklin with lightning rod reference...
Item #676541
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1754 * A poem to Benjamin Franklin
* Mention of his lightning rod
Near the back is a half page poem titled: "To Benjamin Franklin, Esq., of Philadelphia, on his Experiments and Discoveries in Electricity" which is dated from "Cooper River, S. Carolina, Sept. 20, 1753".
At the bottom of the poem are two footnotes, one... See More
Early mention of George Washington...
Item #661574
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1755 * Early George Washington
* Governor Robert Dinwiddie
There are no less than two high points in this issue, the first being an article headed: "Gov. Dinwiddie's Speech to the Assembly of Virginia" in which he relates various reports from the French & Indian War, including mention of "...general Braddock, command... See More
New colony of Georgia... re: Franklin's lightning rod... Judaica...
Item #664269
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1756 Regarding America... There is an article near the front: "Account of American Affairs", which is continued from a previous issue & includes talk on "New Forts in America". There is also a detailed account of Oglethorpe's English colony at Georgia, now 22 yrs. old & still suffering from "want of inhabitan... See More
Early map of the Caribbean Islands...
Item #683352
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1756 The first two pages are devoted to the "Caribee Islands" [Caribbean] primarily limited to text on Barbadoes.But of greater significance is the great and desirable foldout map labeled: "A Map of the CARIBBEE ISLANDS Shewing which belong to England, France, Spain, Dutch, & Danes...". This map folds out to 8 1/2 by 13 1/2 ... See More
Death of composer George F. Handel... George Washington in the French & Indian War... Foldout maps...
Item #676690
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1759 Near the back is an inconspicuous yet very significant report on the death of famed composer George Frederick Handel.Under the heading: "List of Deaths for the Year 1759" is an entry reading: "Geo. Fred. Handel, Esq; a great musician. He was born in Germany in 1685, and had been in England 50 years."
This report is supp... See More
An early, handsome issue from the colonies... Nice Ben Franklin content...
Item #687150
July 05, 1762
THE BOSTON EVENING-POST, July 5, 1762
* Rare colonial publication
* Benjamin Franklin
A very handsome issue with an ornate coat-of-arms engraving in the masthead.
Page 2 has a nice, early item on Ben Franklin with an Oxford dateline: "Yesterday Benjamin Franklin, Esq., of Pennsylvania, eminent for his many extraordinary improvements in electrical experiments, was presented by t... See More
Marriage of Ben Franklin's daughter... Colonists distressed by duties..
Item #687574
January 19, 1768
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, January 19, 1768 Page 2 has a letter from Pittsburgh mentioning: "It is feared here that an Indian war will break out in the Spring...on an act of hostility committed by a party of Indians on their return to their settlements among the six nations, from an unsuccessful war in which they had been engaged with the Cherokees...they plundered & murdered ten of... See More
Government's role in the public welfare vs. debt...
Item #681266
May 14, 1768
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, May 14, 1768 Inside is an interesting article on the role of Government and Providence in relation to public welfare and government debt. It begins: "The political disease seems to be near a crisis...". Several hundred years later the topic continues to be at the forefront of public discourse.
Also within is a mention of "A Portugal Merchant&... See More
Colonial Boston, with the Supplement issue attached...
Item #679116
June 06, 1768
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, Massachusetts, June 6, 1768
* Pre Revolutionary War tensions
Under reports from London is: "...Letters from Boston, New England, mention that the late public spirit for establishing new manufactures was greatly subsided, the adventurers having met with nothing but disappointments in procuring materials, scarcity of money, & high price of wages." Else... 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
Troubles in America... A colonial town plan print...
Item #688742
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1770 Perhaps the most intriguing item in this issue is a fascinating article titled: "New Plan for an American Town" which takes over a full page and which includes an interesting and unusual print of it.
A legend of the various parts of the town is included as well, including the "common land" the "public squares&
... See More
A legend of the various parts of the town is included as well, including the "common land" the "public squares&
Plan (print) for a colonial town... Canton (Guangzhou), China...
Item #688743
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1770 Perhaps the most intriguing item in this issue is a fascinating article titled: "New Plan for an American Town" which takes over a full page and which includes an interesting and unusual print of it.
A legend of the various parts of the town is included as well, including the "common land" the "public squares&
... See More
A legend of the various parts of the town is included as well, including the "common land" the "public squares&
A layout for a colonial town... Canton (Guangzhou), China...
Item #688744
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1770 Perhaps the most intriguing item in this issue is a fascinating article titled: "New Plan for an American Town" which takes over a full page and which includes an interesting and unusual print of it.
A legend of the various parts of the town is included as well, including the "common land" the "public squares&
... See More
A legend of the various parts of the town is included as well, including the "common land" the "public squares&
Likely the most desired masthead from the 18th century...
Item #687194
October 23, 1770
THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Or Thomas's Boston Journal, October 27, 1774 It would be difficult to properly place both the scarcity and desirability of this newspaper in the confect of American history. This issue has the famous "Join Or Die" engraving stretching across the masthead.
In the same way that the famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" issue of the Chicago Tribune is com... See More
Events in Charlestown, SC - pre-Battle of Alamance...
Lead-up to the Revolutionary War...
Item #567722
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1771 Near the back is a full page headed "American Affairs" which includes: "Charles-Town, May 8. The General Assembly of the province of Georgia, met at Savannah on the 23d past. On the 24th the new elected Commons House of Assembly unanimously re-chose the Hon. Noble Wimberly Jones, Esq; for their Speaker; but he being disapproved ... See More
Sam Adams is selected...
Item #679779
July 21, 1772
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 21, 1772
* Samuel Adams chosen for clerk
* House of Representatives
* Pre Revolutionary War era
Page 6 contains a report from a Boston letter concerning political events in that town, and which mentions "...the House then made choice of Mr. Samuel Adams for their clerk...". The article goes on to report other political happenings, taking ... See More
Tarring & feathering for villains...
Item #687218
February 11, 1774
CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, Feb. 11, 1774
* Pre Revolutionary War
* Tarring and Feathering
The front page has a brief item: "We hear that the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., is appointed to deliver the ORATION in commemoration of the Bloody Tragedy on the 5th of March 1770." which was the Boston Massacre.
Page 2 begins with a report of a man being tarred & f... See More
Prelude to the Revolutionary War...
Item #569699
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, May 28, 1774 Most of the front page is a report headed: "The Journal of a Voyage...for making Discoveries towards the North Pole by the Hon. Commodore Phipps..." (see for beginning). A full column on pg. 2 has reports from Boston (see) concerning strained relationships with England, and mentioning Ben Franklin (see). This is followed by a lette... See More
Famous "Unite Or Die" engraving in the masthead...
Item #681728
November 16, 1774
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, November 16, 1774 If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead of this newspaper, shows a snake cut into various pieces, each with a
... See More
Famous "Unite Or Die" engraving in the masthead...
Item #677502
December 07, 1774
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, December 7, 1774
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption.
The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead
... See More
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption.
The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead
Election of Patrick Henry sets the stage for his famous speech... So much more...
Item #666070
March 17, 1775
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (with Supplement), Williamsburg, Mar. 17, 1775
* Very rare Colonial Virginia publication
* Election of Patrick Henry
This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period of the Revolutionary War.
The entire front page is a terrific letter: "To the ... See More
Famous "Unite Or Die" engraving in the masthead...
Item #673309
April 05, 1775
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, April 5, 1775
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead of th
... See More
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead of th
On the Battle of Bunker Hill... Washington named commander-in-chief.. So much more....
Item #687295
July 05, 1775
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & THE NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, July 5, 1775
* Battle of Bunker Hill - Charlestown
* Siege of Boston, Massachusetts
* George Washington named commander
* American Revolutionary War
* Terrific issue w/ many reports
Nice engraving in the masthead of a post boy on horseback.
The front page has a letter from an officer in General Gage's regiment heading for ... See More
Diagram of the fort at Bunker's Hill...
Item #673248
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, September, 1775 * Battle of Bunker Hill diagram
* John Hancock & George Washington
A nice issue with much historic content from the beginning months of the Revolutionary War.
Perhaps the best content is the very nice half page illustration of the "Redoubt & Intrenchment on the Heights of Charles Town, Commonly called Bunker ... See More
A "call to arms" for Londoners in support of America
Item #692362
September 27, 1775
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Sept. 27, 1775
* American Revolutionary War
The front page has some reports on the actions of Major Rogers in Maryland & Virginia. Also mention of work of the Virginia Provincial Convention. Plus a report of a soldier: "...who\ is on his parole in Gen. Wooster's camp. This person having been observed to follow at a distance, a load of po... See More
Congress responds to the King's Proclamation that the colonies are in open rebellion...
Item #687385
December 21, 1775
THE NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE or the ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dec. 21, 1775
* King Charles III of England
* American colonies in rebellion
* U.S. Congress addresses conflict
* American Revolutionary War
Certainly the most historic content is found on page 3, being Congress' response to the King's proclamation of August 23 in which he refused to receive the conc... See More
Provincial Congress meeting...
Item #667176
December 23, 1775
PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Dec. 23, 1775
* Meeting of a Provincial Congress
* Early Revolutionary War
Front page report mentions the meeting of a Provincial Congress in Charlestown, South Carolina. Interesting ftpg. letter concerning a runaway slave on board a British ship. Pg. 2 has political reports from New York & Philadelphia, including mention that
... See More
* Meeting of a Provincial Congress
* Early Revolutionary War
Front page report mentions the meeting of a Provincial Congress in Charlestown, South Carolina. Interesting ftpg. letter concerning a runaway slave on board a British ship. Pg. 2 has political reports from New York & Philadelphia, including mention that
Arguing against American independence...
Item #663813
March 09, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 9, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)
This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
Over half of the front page is taken up with: "The following rules... See More
Terrific discussions on the value of independence from England... Confirmation Howe has evacuated Boston...
Item #687419
March 30, 1776
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)
This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
The entire front page and a portion of the back page are filled with a terri... See More
George Washington on aiding the enemy...
Item #661436
May 04, 1776
PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, May 4, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)
This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city.
Half of the front page is a letter signed by: A Settled Citizen" which r... See More
The Declaration of Independence, and more...
Item #681282
THE UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE, London, England, complete bound volume of six months for July thru December, 1776 plus the Supplement issue as well.* Original Declaration of Independence... the complete text
* As reported from Great Britain
* Entire bound volume intacted
It would be difficult to argue for a more important document in American history than the Declaration of Independence. It remai... See More
The Declaration of Independence...
Item #687396
THE UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE, London, England, August, 1776 * Original Declaration of Independence... the complete text
* As reported from Great Britain
It would be difficult to argue for a more important document in American history than the Declaration of Independence. It remains a desire of most collectors to find issues containing reference to it, and ultimately a contemporary printing... See More
The Battle of Long Island, with a map... Patrick Henry...
Item #677987
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, Oct., 1776 * Battle of Long Island
* Revolutionary War
* Patrick Henry
This issue is filled with a great wealth of notable content concerning the Revolutionary War, however the prime piece here is the nice foldout map titled: "Sketch of the Country Illustrating the late Engagement in Long Island".
The map measures 9 by 13 inches & sho... See More
Congress requires quotas by state... John Hancock signs...
Item #659662
February 04, 1777
THE LONDON EVENING POST, England, Feb. 4, 1777
* Revolutionary War Era
* 18th century original
* From The Enemy
Page 3 has a nice report on the situation in America, a few bits noting: "...The Provincials in Massachusetts Bay are in high spirits in certain expectation of being joined in the spring by the French & Spaniards...They had heard of the designed attack on Rhode Is... See More
The Revolutionary War to end soon? Ben Franklin negotiating with the French...
Item #664535
June 21, 1777
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 21, 1777 Page 2 has an item concerning the Revolutionary War in America, with text including: "...that the congress had sent to Gen. Howe some proposals for a reconciliation, but such as they knew would not be accepted. It was supposed to be done to gain time. Gen Howe was...preparing to go on a secret expedition not to Philadelphia as it was thought;... See More
A Tory newspaper printed in occupied Philadelphia...
Item #689553
January 07, 1778
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, January 7, 1778 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. Rarely found today.
All of the front page is taken up with advertisements.
Page 2 contains a report headed: "From Rebel Papers, Charlestown, So... See More
The very historic Duche letter to General Washington... Battle of the Kegs...
Item #680789
February 19, 1778
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Feb. 19, 1778
* Jacob Duché - 1st chaplain to the Continental Congress
* Famous letter to General George Washington
* American Revolutionary War
A nice feature of the masthead is a great engraving taken after one done earlier by Paul Revere, showing a patriot soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll reading "Independence" in the ot... 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.