Founding Fathers (U.S.)
Founding Fathers (U.S.)
Constitutional Convention begins & Washington is elected its President: a day after report...
Item #686699
May 26, 1787
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787
* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president
An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention--terrific to have in a newspaper from the city where these notable proceedings were held.
As such, this is likely the ... See More
Constitutional Convention begins & Washington is elected its President...
Item #686742
June 01, 1787
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, June 6, 1787
* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president
An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention.
Page 2 has a report from Philadelphia datelined May 26 with the historic report: "Yesterday, at the State House in this city, seven states were ful... See More
John Hancock on the Shays' Rebellion... Notes from the Constitutional Convention...
Item #696675
June 28, 1787
UNITED STATES CHRONICLE, Providence, Rhode Island, June 28, 1787
* Daniel Shay's Rebellion
* John Hancock proclamation
* Constitutional Convention
This title has one of our favorite mastheads, which includes two engravings: one the arms for Rhode Island, and the other the arms of the United States, making this a very displayable issue.
Page 2 has: "A Proclamation" wh... See More
Letters by Benjamin Franklin...
Item #676179
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, July, 1787, Second Edition (1789) Among the articles are: "Remarks & Facts Relative to the American Paper Money, By Dr. Franklin" "Letter from Dr. Franklin to a Friend, on the Subject of the North East Storms" "Letter from Dr. Franklin to a friend, Containing an Account of a Remarkable Whirlwind" "Letter from Dr. M. to... See More
First known U.K. printing...
Ben Franklin's historic/collectible essay: "The morals of Chess"...
Item #703114
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1787 * Benjamin Franklin - Morals of Chess
* re. U.S. Constitution - George Washington
The most notable content is the historic/collectible essay: "The Morals Of Chess, By Dr. Franklin of Philadelphia", which takes nearly two pages. The article begins: "The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable q... See More
Philadelphia printing of the Constitution of the United States...
Item #696414
THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, September, 1787 * Philadelphia printing of the Constitution of the United States
This title, along with the "American Museum", has the honor of being the first magazine to print the Constitution of the United States. Both publications were from Philadelphia, the city where the Constitution was created.
Comments from the Library Company ... See More
Very significant & rare "pillar cartoon" issue... Massachusetts ratifies the Constitution, in a Boston newspaper...
Item #703264
March 01, 1788
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, March 1, 1788 This is one of the most desired & elusive issues of this title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons". The only other newspaper we have discovered that used the pillar cartoons is the Independent Chronicle, also from Boston.
Russell, the publisher, devised a cartoon showing each state as a ... See More
Mention of Ben Franklin... Slave trade... Establishing a penal colony in Australia...
Item #704117
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1788 * Early chess - Benjamin Franklin mention
* Penal Colony, Botany Bay, Australia
Two pages have considerable detail regarding the game of chess which includes a mention of Benjamin Franklin. Near the back under the "Domestic Occurrences" heading is a report reading: "By the last accounts received from the fleet from B... See More
Handsome masthead from the year the American government was established...
Item #208507
THE DIARY; OR WOODFALL'S REGISTER, London, 1789 This is a nice folio-size newspaper of 4 pages with untrimmed margins (uncommon) and a nice red-inked tax stamp in the lower right corner of the front page or page 3. Various news of the day plus ads as well. This is one of the less common British titles in our inventory, never held by us in 30 years, outside of our recent purchase. Minimal fold ... See More
Benjamin Rush's "Moral Temperance Thermometer"...State of Kentucky... Constitution of Georgia...
Item #652342
THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, January, 1789 Among the articles are: "An Account of the Manners of the German Inhabitants of Pennsylvania" which takes 7 1/2 pages. Also a full page chart of the: "Moral and Physical Thermometer", created by Dr. Benjamin Rush.Near the back is "The Chronicle" with the latest news of the day including 8 pages of report unde... See More
George Washington through Andrew Jackson...
Presidential Collection I - covering 7 administrations...
Item #180100
(7) Presidential Collection I - a seven-issue set of American newspapers containing one issue each from the administrations of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson, providing a single-day snapshot of the atmosphere during each administration. This is set one of a six-part series.
1) Geo Washington, 4/30/1789
... See More
This item is not eligible for free shipping.
Very early report of Washington's inaugural address, plus his election as well...
Item #702876
April 01, 1789
THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, April, 1789
* President George Washington
* Election victory & inauguration
Certainly the most notable content is found in "The Chronicle" section near the back where the latest news was reported, which covers the election & inauguration of President George Washington.
The full text is shown in the photos, however some ite... See More
Congressmen sworn in & Congress begins...
Item #686051
April 15, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Apr. 15, 1789
* 1st United States Congress begins
* Congressmen & speaker are sworn in
A terrific issue on the very first days of work for the new federal Congress.
See the photo for the page 2 report from New York mentioning that the Speaker & other members of the House are sworn into office, with a printing of a portion of their o... See More
Madison proposes Amendments to the Constitution... Early edition of the Bill of Rights...
Item #681502
June 13, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, June 13, 1789
* Early edition of the "Bill of Rights"
* United States Constitution - Amendments
* President James Madison
An exceedingly significant issue which has, on page 3, a preliminary draft of the Bill of Rights described as "...the Amendments to the New Constitution, proposed by the Hon. Mr. Maddison [sic]...".... See More
Washington to be dictator of America for life?
Item #680055
July 07, 1789
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 7, 1789
* President George Washington
* Dictator of American for Life ?
Page 4 has an: "Extract of a Letter From New York" which begins: "His Excellency General Washington, our new congressional President, and perhaps I might add Dictator of America for life, gave a very sumptuous entertainment on Thursday the 4th inst. on account of ... See More
First inauguration of George Washington...
Item #679892
July 16, 1789
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 16, 1789
* President George Washington
* First inauguration (historic)
Certainly one of the more desirable events to have in a period newspaper is the first inauguration of George Washington. American issues with such content are virtually unobtainable today, and reports in any newspapers worldwide are extremely uncommon.
Here is a nice report of t... See More
Tonnage Act: further defining the historic Tariff Act of 1789...
Item #686042
July 22, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, July 22, 1789
* Tariff Act of 1789 (Tonnage)
* George Washington signs
* 1st major piece of legislation
Most of page 2 and a bit of page 2 are taken up with "Sketches of the Proceedings of Congress" providing interesting insight into the discussion of the very new federal government.
Page 3 has the full text of: "An Act Im... See More
Tonnage Act: further defining the historic Tariff Act of 1789..
Item #686033
July 24, 1789
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, July 24, 1789
* Tariff Act of 1789 (Tonnage)
* George Washington signs
* 1st major piece of legislation
The entire front page is taken up with ads including 7 illustrated ship ads.
Page 2 has an address to George Washington from the governor & council of North Carolina, which is followed by his reply which carries ove... See More
On the Treasury Bill and compensations for various officers...
Item #686040
July 25, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, July 25, 1789 Half of the front page is taken up with an article headed: "Slave Trade" which is a report from a French society for the abolition of the trade. One bit notes: "...The abolition, therefore, of negro slavery was esteemed by the general United States & by the convention in which they were represented, not only a measure condu... See More
Founding months of the federal government...
Item #686035
August 04, 1789
THE DAILY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 4, 1789
* From the 1st year of George Washington's presidency
* United States government (Congress) in it's infancy
Great to have this issue from the formative months of the new federal government, and from the city where it all happened.
Page 2 begins with reports from Congress noting the discussions at the time. Then a lengthy report on... See More
House of Representatives' version of the Bill of Rights...
Item #703196
August 29, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, August 29, 1789 This is a very significant issue, as page 2 contains an early version of the historic Bill of Rights.
As a brief history, the Constitution was signed in September 1787 and sent to the Congress. Eleven days later, it was submitted to the states for ratification. But as the people began to examine the document, they came to share the sen... See More
Death of George Washington's mother...
Item #697392
September 09, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 9, 1789
* Mary Ball Washington death
* President's G.W.'s mother
Pages 2 & 3 contain reports from the: "Proceedings in the House of Representatives of the United States", this being the founding year of the federal government.
Page 3 has an inconspicuous yet significant report: "Died--At Fredericksburg, Mrs. Washin... See More
Hamilton & Knox to be on Washington's Cabinet... Setting federal salaries...
Item #686116
September 19, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 19, 1789 The front page has an interesting article which could be appropriate today: "Propositions for Reforming the Present System of Publick Education in Boston".
Page 2 begins with reports from the House of Representatives concerning discussions on setting the salaries for House & Senate members.
Page 3 has: "THE PRESIDENT has... See More
The Bill of Rights...
Item #703267
October 06, 1789
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1789 Arguably the most significant documents of late 18th century in American history would be the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This issue contains the latter, printed in its entirety as submitted to the states for ratification.
In September of 1789 the U.S. Congress passed and... See More
Two George Washington script signatures...
Item #686115
October 10, 1789
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 10, 1789
* (2) President George Washington acts
* First year of his administration
Most of the first column of page 2 contains not one but two of the very desirable Acts of Congress each signed in script type by President George Washington and in block type by Vice President John Adams. This title was one of just a few to use the "script&... See More
Cabinet positions in Washington's new government include John Jay as first Chief Justice...
Item #682219
November 01, 1789
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1789 Near the back is a report headed: "America" which details the power of the Executive Dept. of the new federal government, including: "The Executive Power, which forms one of the branches of ours new Government...to fill the different departments are appointed as follows: Mr. Jefferson, Secretary of State; General Knox, Secre... See More
Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America...
Item #689565
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1790 * Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America
Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the nice, attached fold-out map: "A Map showing the communication of the Lakes and the Rivers between Lake Superior and Slave Lake in North America."
The map shows the extreme western parts of Lake Superior and "Hud... See More
Obituary of Benjamin Franklin...
Item #691756
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1790 * Benjamin Franklin death - obituary
The most significant item is a report of the death of Benjamin Franklin listed near the back under the "Deaths" column.
The report begins: "At Philadelphia, aged 84 years and 3 months, Benjamin Franklin, esq. L.L.D. and F.R.S. He was born in 1706..." continuing on with more on his lif... See More
Letter from Ben Franklin criticizing music...
Item #682838
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, July, 1790 The bulk of the issue is taken up with a wide range of eclectic articles as noted in the title/contents page.The issue begins with: "Description of the Falls of Niagara" which takes a full page (lacking the plate called for). But perhaps the most interesting item is: "Criticism on Musick, Letter from Dr. B. Franklin to Mr. P. Fr... See More
General Washington...
Item #680445
July 06, 1790
CONCORD HERALD, & NEW HAMPSHIRE INTELLIGENCER, New Hampshire, July 6, 1790
* President George Washington
On the front page under "Federal Congress" is the activity of the House of Representatives. The back page has a report about a "remarkable dwarf" who lived in New Jersey during the war and attracted "crowds of people", including Gen. Washington. Som... See More
Three Acts of Congress signed by George Washington...
Item #686108
July 07, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, July 7, 1790
* President George Washington
* Two Acts of U.S. Congress
Most of the middle column on page 2 is taken up with three Acts of Congress, all headed with a nice engraving of a heraldic eagle and each signed in type by: George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
Most of page 2 is taken up with reports from congress. Page 3 ha... See More
On Ben Franklin's will... Northwest coast of America...
Item #638619
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1790 Included is: "Remarks on the Slave Trade Occasioned by Bruce's Travels". Near the back is a brief bit noting: "The common council at Paris paid to the illustrious Franklyn [Franklin] tribute of homage, singular in its nature but due from a free & enlightened city to the memory of a man who gave libert... See More
Full name: George Washington, in script type...
Item #686107
August 04, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 4, 1790
* President George Washington
* Act of Congress script signed
Almost a full column is taken up with an Act of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle, this is: "An Act Imposing Duties on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels" which is signed in script type (desired) by the President: George Washington. Rarely is his full name... See More
The historic Funding Act of 1790...
Item #686121
August 16, 1790
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Aug. 16, 1790
* Funding Act of 1790
Taking two-thirds of the front page and half of page 2 is: "An Act making Provision for the Debt of the United States" which is signed in type by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
This was the very historic Funding Act of 1790 which was passed on August 4, 1790 by the United States Congress t... See More
Ben Franklin letters...
Item #670618
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, Sept., 1790 A nice issue with a full title/contents page with an embellishment at the top.Included within are two item by Ben Franklin: "Letter on the Death of Persons Struck with Lightning--by Dr. Franklin" and "Extracts of Letters form Dr. Franklin to Monsieur Dubourg, the French Translator of his Works" .
The back page has an "... See More
Significant Washington letter to the Jewish congregation of Newport...
Item #704389
September 15, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 15, 1790 The back page contains one of the more significant Judaica items found in an American newspaper.
It presents the full text of the: "Address Of The Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island To the President of the United States of America", signed in type by the warden, Moses Seixas, welcoming the President to the city.... See More
Building a lighthouse on Cape Henry... Treasury Dept. document on the historic Funding Act of 1790...
Item #682060
September 29, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 29, 1790
* Cape Henry Lighthouse (Virginia Beach)
* Funding Act of 1790
The front page has a short item signed: H. Knox, Secretary of War, concerning payments to wounded veterans of the Revolutionary War. The front page also has a notable item headed: "Treasury Department" concerning the historic Funding Act of 1790, wher
... See More
* Cape Henry Lighthouse (Virginia Beach)
* Funding Act of 1790
The front page has a short item signed: H. Knox, Secretary of War, concerning payments to wounded veterans of the Revolutionary War. The front page also has a notable item headed: "Treasury Department" concerning the historic Funding Act of 1790, wher
Washington inspects the land for building the federal city...
Item #686083
October 29, 1790
THE NEW YORK JOURNAL & PATRIOTIC REGISTER, Oct. 29, 1790
* President George Washington
* Early Washington D.C. construction
* Future of the federal government
Half of page 2 is the conclusion of an "Act to provide more effectually for the Collection of the Duties imposed by Law on Goods, Wares...imported into the United States...".
Page 3 has an item noting:
... See More
* President George Washington
* Early Washington D.C. construction
* Future of the federal government
Half of page 2 is the conclusion of an "Act to provide more effectually for the Collection of the Duties imposed by Law on Goods, Wares...imported into the United States...".
Page 3 has an item noting:
Vermont to debate & hopefully ratify the Constitution...
Item #686775
November 17, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 17, 1790
* United States Constitution
The front page has an article headed: "Religious Toleration" & another: "Beware of Counterfeits".
Page 3 has an item from "Vermont" noting: "The legislature of that state has passed an Act for calling a State Convention to meet at Bennington...for the purpose of assenting to, ... See More
President Washington's state-of-the-union address...
Item #686595
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, December, 1790 * President George Washington
* 2nd State of the Union Address
Certainly the most notable content is the 1 1/2 pages taken up with: "President Washington's Speech" which was his second state-of-the-union address, signed by him in type: George Washington.
The balance of the issue is taken up with a wide range... See More
George Washington arrives in 1790 Philadelphia...
Item #686780
December 11, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Dec. 11, 1790
* President George Washington
* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania arrival
A page 3 item from Philadelphia reports: "The illustrious PRESIDENT of the United States of America, his lady and his suit [sic] arrived here on Saturday last:--He was welcomed with every demonstration of Love, Gratitude and Respect."
A short poem follows: "Behol... See More
Alexander Hamilton... Isaac Franks... Knox's War Dept. report...
Item #686080
January 12, 1791
DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 12, 1791 The bottom of page 3 has a letter from the "Treasury Department" signed in type by the Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton, to the Speaker of the House of Rep., concerning national financial matters.
Among the many front page ads is one for: "ISAAC FRANKS, Stock and Exchange Broker...Buys
... See More
Among the many front page ads is one for: "ISAAC FRANKS, Stock and Exchange Broker...Buys
Speech signed by John Hancock... Vermont joins the Union...
Item #686732
January 29, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 29, 1791
* John Hancock signed speech
* Vermont statehood - joins union
Over half of page 2 and a bit of page 3 are taken up with the "Speech" of the governor of Massachusetts which is signed in type: JOHN HANCOCK. It is rare to find newspapers with documents signed by Hancock.
Page 3 has a report noting: "This day the Hon. Aaron ... See More
1791 Creating the District of Columbia...
Item #698230
February 01, 1791
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, February, 1791
* Creating the District of Columbia
* Early United States government
* President George Washington
Over 3 1/2 pages are taken up with a: "Description of Cape Cod & the Country of Barnstable", continued in a future issue. Also: "Picture of Jamaica" which curiously begins: "Jamaica is the dunghill of the universe... See More
The Act creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #698020
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, March, 1791* First Bank of the United States creation
The issue begins with textual: "Sketches of the President Of the United States" which is nearly a 4 1/2 page biography of George Washington (the plate called for is lacking). Also inside is the conclusion of: "Description of Cape Cod & the County of Barnstable" which takes 2 1/2... See More
Two Acts of Congress signed by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams...
Item #686073
April 02, 1791
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, April 2, 1791
* President George Washington
* Two Acts of U.S. Congress
The front page has reporting on: "The Bank Bill under Consideration". The back page has two Acts of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle, each signed in block type by: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. The bkpg. also has an ... See More
Treatment of Indians... Louis XVI on the colors of the flags...
Item #686786
May 14, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 14, 1791 Over half of the front page is taken up with: "Commonn Sense -- In Answer to Burke's Phillipick" which relates to Thomas Paine's work, plus much concerning he French Revolution and several references to the Maquis de LaFayette.
Page 2 has "A Law" from France, signed by the King: Louis, concerning a Decree of the Nati... See More
Comptroller of United States appointed... Louis XVI attempts to escape...
Item #686076
June 27, 1791
CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, June 27, 1791
* Oliver Wolcott Jr.
* Appointed to U.S. Treasury
* Louis XVI - King of France
A page 3 report from "Hartford" states: "We are informed that the President of the United States has appointed OLIVER WALCOTT, Esq., Comptroller of the Treasury, of the United States, vice Nicholas Eveleigh...deceased."
Over one-third of p... See More
Appointing the Postmaster General... Honoring Alexander Hamilton...
Item #686790
July 30, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, July 30, 1791 Page 3 includes: "We are informed that the President of the United States has been pleased to appoint William Jackson Post Master General of the United States."
Above this is a report of the celebration of the 4th of July, and also a note that: "The Coroporation of the Chamber of Commerce of New York last week gave an elegant entertai... See More
Washington names the new Post Master General... The situation in Pittsburgh...
Item #686796
August 24, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 24, 1791
* President George Washington
* Timothy Pickering appointed
Page 2 has a report that: "Another expedition to the Indian country is now in operation--it consists of 500 men...". This is followed by a letter from Pittsburgh noting in part: "...since I came to this place not a life has been lost within the reach of our parties. Th... See More
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