Historic Newspapers: Revolutionary War Era PA Ledgers
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 terrific letter signed by "A Common Man" headed: "To Cato, Cassandra, and all the Writers on the…
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 for establishing a Society for Relieving the Distresses of Prisoners...". Page 2 has reports from…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, February 14, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
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.
The entire front page is taken up with ads, one of which is for the printing of: "Common Sense".
Page 2 has numerous reports which relate to the Revolutionary War, bits…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, April 22, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
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.
Over two-thirds of the front page is taken up with the text of two Bills being considered in Parliament relating to America. The first is a: "DRAUGHT of a BILL for declaring…
PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Aug. 19, 1775
* The "Olive Branch Petition"
* Revolutionary War beginning
* Second Continental Congress
Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking over half of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
This was one of the more historic documents of the war, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, in a final attempt to avoid a war between the American Colonies and England. The petition affirmed…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, Feb. 28, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
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.
Half of the front page first column is a: "Proclamation" signed by: W. Howe, concerning naval affairs. Page 2 has: "It cannot have escaped the notice...that this country has…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Nov. 30, 1776
* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)
(editor's copy) 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 front page has a very detailed "Twenty Dollars Reward" ad for a runaway slave named Caesar. Page 2 has a report concerning an expedition into the western…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 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 front page has an ad for the desertion of two soldiers from military service, with details. Page 2 begins with a report noting: "General Lee writes from Purrysburg...that…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, March 4, 1778
* Battle of Brandywine - Creek
* Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania
* American Revolutionary War
This was a strongly Tory (pro-British) newspaper that began in 1775 and closed shop in May of 1778 when the British evacuated Philadelphia, so much of the content within is with a pro-British bias.
Rare to find such Tory newspapers in America, and those from Philadelphia would not survive beyond the brief…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Feb. 24, 1776 The front page has half a column taken up with 2 desertion reward ads, with much detail. Over a column is taken up with the verbatim cross-examination of Governor Penn of Pennsylvania, which carries over to take one-third of page 2. A few questions & answers include: "...Q. In what estimation was the Congress held? A. In the highest veneration imaginable by all ranks and orders of men...what other forces had the Provincials of Pennsylvania…
Item from last month's catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026
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 coat-of-arms.
Only to be found in a Loyalist newspaper, the entire front page is taken up with text and…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, January 3, 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 coat-of-arms.
Page 2 has a very detailed letter concerning a naval battle between…
EXTRA SUPPLEMENT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, March 2, 1778
* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America
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.
An unusual "Extra" edition, with the entire front page taken up with a report from the "House of Lords" concerning the American Revolutionary War, bits including: "...he would sell his shirt off…
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 masthead features an engraving of the Royal coat-of-arms.
The first column on the front page features…
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775
* Ethan Allen captured
* American Revolutionary War
The front page includes a letter: "To the King" which references the American situation & includes: "...Let then, royal Sire, the liberty of England and America be ever in your heart, then shall the people be free, and America shall yet be happy in the full enjoyment of her rights...". Also on the front page is: "A Plan for Reducing the Rebellious Colony of New England & for the…
NORTHUMBERLAND PRESS--EXTRA, Pennsylvania This is a broadside "Extra" containing various financial information in this "Auditor's Report of the Finances of Northumberland County for the Year 1882".
Single sheet, blank on the reverse, 10 3/4 by 16 1/4 inches, good condition.
Background: The historical significance of this 1882 broadside lies in its capture of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, at a transformative economic crossroads during the Gilded Age. Serving as a public ledger, this…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 3, 1886 Full ftpg: 'Flower Show at the Metropolitan Opera-House, New York City'. Two-thirds pg: 'Explosion of Natural Gas at Murrysville, Pennsylvania". Great fullpg. hunting print: 'Spring Snipe-Shooting' is very displayable. Fullpg: 'Approach to the Philadelphia Station of the Pennsylvania Railroad'. Nice fullpg: 'The Bear Pit in Central Park'. Fullpg. Nast political cartoon: "Our Royal Rulers (By Divine Right) In Secret Session" plus much more.
Other news…
THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, May 12, 1783
* "Great Expulsion" of American Loyalists
* The Fall of Count de Grasse - The Saintes
* American Revolutionary War "Cleanup Phase"
A nice feature of this issue is the masthead engraving which shows "All Hands with One Inflamed Enlightened Heart." signifying the 13 united colonies having a common, patriotic purpose.
Over half of the front page has an item from London: "Anecdotes of the Count De Grasse" which begins: "The capture…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 14, 1895 Full front pg. illus. of "Wasting Spite on Waring." Inside is a full pg. with six illus. of "With the World's Transportation Commission in India - The Great Military Railway." Four illus. of Libraries in the West.
Most of a doublepage centerfold shows: "General View of the Cotton States and International Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia." Small portrait of "Booker T. Washington." Two full pgs. of illus. of "The Tuskegee Plan - Practical Education for…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 25, 1879 Full ftpg. Nast: 'No More Outbreaks' plus a Nast inside also. Halfpg: 'Sketches in the Northwest--Standing Rock, the Sacred Stone' & 'Traders at Ft. Garry, Manitoba' Spine wear. The double page centerfold has an illustration: "Too Late!" and much more.
Other news and advertisements of the day are included. This issue is complete in 16 pages and is in good condition.
Please Read Note Concerning HW Images & Supplements!
ALERT: Even "1st-rate" Jan. & Dec. HW's have more than typical wear/foxing, and are priced accordingly.
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 26, 1891 The full front page is a nice print captioned: "Samuel L.Clemens (Mark Twain)" with a corncob pipe in his mouth. Very displayable as such.
Inside pages have prints including: "The Manhattan A.C. Grounds" showing several views of the baseball field. Also a halfpg. photos of: "The Philadelphia Champion Team of 1889" for cricket; a doublepage centerfold captioned: "At The Pony Races" and a full page showing: "Laying the Cable for the Broadway Surface…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 4, 1907 There is a front page illustration, "Patriotism---Conspiracy" by W. A. Rogers. There are photos of "the Only Living Ex-President and His Family"; a double page photo spread of "Blazing New Trails for a City's Needs"; and an illustrations of "The Waning Theatrical Season" by Hamilton Williams, and other advertisements of the day are included as well. See photos for full details.
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 11, 1865 the front page has two prints: "Before Petersburg--Issuing Rations of Whisky and Quinine" and "Admiral Porter's Boats Removing torpedoes & Buoying the Channel in Cape Fear River" with an article headed: "Capture of Wilmington".
Prints inside include: "View of Petersburg From the Signal Station on Our Extreme Left" "Exterior View of Hospital Tent & Wagon" "Interior of Hospital Tent & Wagon" "Before Petersburg--Field Hospital of the First Division,…
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