Historic Newspapers: Prohibtion

BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, Dec. 9, 1933

* United States officially ends prohibition
* Repeal of the 18th Eighteenth Amendment 
* Beer & liquor returns for 1st time in 13 years
* Organized crime - gangster era speakeasies ending

The front page has three related articles regarding the recent end of prohibition in the United States with a two column heading: "Zones City for War on Illicit Liquor" with subheads and more. (see images) The end of Prohibition was ratified on December 5,…

THE SCRANTON TIMES, Scranton, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1920

* Prohibition in America starts 
* No beer - liquor 

This 20 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page:
"SUPREME COURT IS SPEEDING UP DRY DECISION" "Permits Rhode Island To Institute Original Proceeding To Test" "Validity Of Prohibition Act" which tells of the start of prohibition in America as a whole. Other news of the day.

Usual browning with some margin wear and tear, but otherwise in good condition.…

THE DETROIT NEWS, September 24, 1931

* Prohibition in the United States
* re. 18th - Eighteenth Amendment
* Beer - liquor - alcohol beverages wanted 
* American Legion votes to end it
* Wets vs. Drys in Detroit, Michigan

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "LEGIONNAIRES OPEN BATTLE OVER LIQUOR" with subheads. (see images) Nice to have from the city where this event took place. Very rare as such.
Complete with 46 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background:…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 4, 1929

* Wisconsin votes to repeal prohibition early
* Severson Act - enforcement bill repealed
* Public liquor - beer consumption allowed

The front page has a five column heading: "Wisconsin Votes Turns Prohibition Tide" with subheads. (see images) More on page 2. Lengthy text. This was 4 years prior to the end of prohibition nationally.
Complete with 46 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

source: Wisconsin Historical Society: In 1929, voters…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 2, 1933 

* End of Prohibition in the state of New Jersey
* Beer - liquor returns - Ratification voted
* Repeal of the Eighteenth 18th Amendment

Page 21 has a one column heading: "REPEAL IS RATIFIED IN JERSEY SESSION" with subheads. (see images)  
Complete in 40 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

Background: On June 1, 1933, New Jersey ratified the Twenty-first Amendment, joining the movement to end Prohibition, which had been in effect since 1920 under…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 27, 1933

* United States prohibition ending
* State of Illinois acts to allow sale of alcohol 
* Beer and Liquor returns to the gangland 

The front page has a one column heading: "JUNE 5 REPEAL ELECTION VOTES BY BOTH HOUSES" with subhead. (see images) 
 When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and what better…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 21, 1930

* George Remus acquitted of murder 
* Infamous "King of the Bootleggers"
* Prohibition era liquor smuggler 

The front page has a one column heading: "REMUS ACQUITTED AS INSANE SLAYER" with subheads. (see images) 
Complete with 52 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally in nice condition.

Background: George Remus, born in 1878, was a Cincinnati lawyer turned infamous bootlegger during Prohibition, often…

THE DRY SPASM of The "BLABBER", Rochester, New York, Feb. 18, 1918  A very unusual broadside newspaper without any volume or issue numbers. The masthead includes: "Priceless", "Weather: Bone Dry", "Why Worry? The Worse is Yet to Come!"

This is a broadside newspaper, printed on the front side only, the sheet is irregular in size, proportionally longer than it is wide, and the right margin is wider than the others. In great condition.

A rare & unusual addition to any Prohibition and/or…

THE SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Springfield, Massachusetts, January 16, 1920  This 18 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page that include: "J. BARLEYCORN IS MOURNED AT 36-HOUR WAKE" "New Yorkers Drown Grief In Final Toasts, But, Oh, What a PriceThey Paid !" "AND DAYBREAK MEANS NOTHING" and more. (see)

Tells of the upcoming official start of prohibition in America as a whole. Other news of the day.

Light browning with little margin wear, otherwise in good condition.

…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 26, 1933 

* End of Prohibition in the state of Wyoming
* Beer - liquor returns - Ratification voted
* Repeal of the Eighteenth 18th Amendment

The bottom of page 4 has a very small and discrete report with heading: "Repeal is Ratified in Wyoming" (see image) Unfortunate for the very brief report here but still a first report in this famous publication. 
Complete in 42 pages, this is the rare rag edition that was produced on very high quality newsprint, with a…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 30, 1919

* War-time prohibition taking effect (eve)

The front page has a one column heading: "WAR PROHIBITION REPEAL HANGS ON ATTORNEY GENERAL" with subheads. (see) Coverage on wartime prohibition act taking effect (eve).
Other news of the day. Complete in 28 pages, some brown toning, a little margin wear, generally good.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 30, 1930

* Prohibition - 18th Eighteenth Amendment
* Wets vs. Drys in Washington D.C.
* Beginning of the end ?

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "FIRST WET BILL HEARINGS SINCE PROHIBITION CAME IN SET BY HOUSE COMMITTEE" with subheads. (see images) Was this the beginning of the fight to repeal prohibition ?
Complete in 48 pages, rag edition in great condition.

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, February 17, 1933

* 18th Amendment - prohibition
* Senate votes to repeal - 21st Amendment

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "SENATE VOTES DRY REPEAL BY CONVENTIONS IN STATES; HOUSE WILL ACT MONDAY" with subheads. First report coverage on the United States Senate approving the repeal of prohibition. When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in…

THE KNICKERBOCKER PRESS, Albany, New York, March 14, 1933

* Prohibition ending - beer returning
* President Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR

The top of the front page has a four column heading: "Beer by Week End, Congress' Plan" with subheads. (see images) This led the way for president Roosevelt enacting the beer bill 10 days later which legalized the sale of beer and wine.
Complete with 12 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 10, 1926 

* Push to end U.S. Prohibition 
* Re-legalize beer - alcohol
* American Federation of Labor
* U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

The front page has a nice banner headline: "UNITED LABOR DEMANDS BEER" with subheads. (see images) Nice for display for any tavern or home bar. 
When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and…

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, December 6, 1933

* U.S. prohibition ends (1st report)
* Beer returns - legal liquor

The front page has one column headings that include: "Repeal Adds New Problems To Old Ones" "Liquor Flows Freely in 19 States With Six More Expected" and more. (see) First report coverage on the official end of prohibition in America. Nice to have in this title which probably had pro-prohibition leanings.
Complete in 16 pages, nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 18, 1919 

* re. Prohibition (no beer, liquor) wins
* 18th Amendment ratification
* 3/4 of the states needed is met

The front page has a one column heading: PROHIBITION ISSUE UNDER LEGAL FIRE" with subheads. (see) Second report coverage on the ratification of the 18th amendment to the Constitution & causing Prohibition to take effect the next  year. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Other news, sports…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 3, 1926 

* During U.S. Prohibition 
* Illegal beer - alcohol
* Failure of the law exposed

The front page has a nice banner headline: "ASKS TIGHTER U.S. LIQUOR LAW" with subheads. (see images) Nice for display for any tavern or home bar. 
When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and what better newspaper can be found than…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 6, 1930

* Prohibition - 18th Eighteenth Amendment
* Wets vs. Drys in Washington D.C.

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "DRYS PORTRAY PROHIBITION AS BASIS OF PROSPERITY; EDISON AND FORD FOR LAW" with subheads. (see images) Was this the beginning of the fight to repeal prohibition ? Lengthy text continues inside.
Complete in 48 pages, this is the rare rag edition that was produced on very high quality newsprint, with a high percentage of…

THE GREENSBORO PATRIOT, North Carolina, July 3, 1919 

* Headed towards prohibition
* Liquor - beer to be abolished

The top of the first column reports on the progress towards Prohibition: "PLAN TO STOP SALE OF STRONG BEER" "Congress And Department Of Justice After 2 3/4 Per Cent Article" with the details taking over half a column. Nationwide Prohibition would formally begin in January, 1920.
Complete in 8 pages, lightly toned, nice condition.

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, July 12, 1933 

* End of Prohibition in Oklahoma
* Connecticut & New Hampshire
* Beer - liquor returns

The front page has a five column heading: "Beer Is Voted, but Troops Guard It" with subheads. (see images) First report coverage on the states of Oklahoma, Connecticut and New Hampshire ratifying the repeal of prohibition. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day.…

NEW YORK WORLD TELEGRAM, December 5, 1932

* Repeal of U.S. prohibition fails
* 18th Amendment continues
* John Nance Garner

The front page has a one column heading: "REPEAL LOST IN CONGRESS BY 144 TO 171" with subheads. (see) Ironically the repeal of prohibition would be ratified exactly one year later on December 5, 1933.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 14 pages, a little spine wear, generally nice.

THE DETROIT NEWS, April 27, 1933

* Prohibition ending in Michigan
* Beer - liquor soon to return soon
* Governor Comstock signs beer bill

The front page has a nice banner headline for display: "Beer For Michigan In 10 Days" with subheads and photo of the governor signing. (see images) 
Complete with 40 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

Background: On April 27, 1933, Michigan Governor William A. Comstock signed a landmark beer bill that legalized the sale of beer containing up…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, July 11, 1933 

* End of Prohibition in the state of Illinois
* Beer - liquor returns - Ratification voted
* Repeal of the Eighteenth 18th Amendment

The front page has a one column heading: "ILLINOIS, TENTH STATE, RATIFIES DRY LAW REPEAL" with subhead. Related photo on the back page. (see images) First report coverage on the state of Illinois ratifying the repeal of Prohibition in the United States. Great to have in this leading Illinois publication, rare as…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 20, 1933 

* End of Prohibition - repeal
* Missouri repeals amendment
* Beer - liquor returns

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "REPEALISTS WIN IN MISSOURI, 4 TO 1; BALLOTING IS LIGHT" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the state of Missouri ratifying the repeal of prohibition. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Complete 1st section only with 28 pages, rag edition in great…

THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, New Orleans, December 4, 1933

* Prohibition ending (eve of)
* Day of Beer returns
* Legal liquor

The front page has a two column heading: "Wets Join Drys in Plea for Temperance as Arid Period Approaches End"  with subhead. (see) Coverage on the impending end of prohibition in America the following day. 
Complete with 22 pages, light toning at the margins and central fold, some spine wear, otherwise good.

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Nov. 11, 1930

* Prohibition is a failure ?
* Referendum by U.S. lawyers
* re. Eighteenth Amendment
* Nice headline for display
* Al 'Scarface' Capone era

The front page has a nice banner headline: "PLAN NEW TEST FOR DRY LAW" with subheads. (see images) Nice for display. When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Nov. 17, 1930

* Prohibition is a failure ?
* Referendum by U.S. lawyers
* re. Eighteenth Amendment
* Nice headline for display
* Al 'Scarface' Capone era

The front page has a five column heading: "Say Dry Repeal Would Save Billion" with subheads. (see images)
When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and what…

THE NEW REPUBLIC, Westerville, Ohio, January 22, 1915  An interesting Prohibition newspaper from early in the 20th century. The content within these four pages has an overwhelming bias against the sale of alcohol in all forms. The ftpg. has: "Alabama 15th Dry State" & "Struggle Is On in Washington to Banish Bar", with more inside.
In additional to prohibition articles, the front page has content concerning the potential closing of the Carlisle Indian School. The famed Jim Thorpe attended this…

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, June 23, 1919

* War-time prohibition takes effect

The front page has a one column heading: "WETS DESPERATE IN PRESENT CRISIS" with subhead. (see images) Coverage on wartime prohibition act 1st taking effect.
Other news of the day. Complete in 16 pages, good condition.

THE DAY, New London, Conn., Feb. 27, 1930 

* Prohibition - 18th Eighteenth Amendment
* Wets vs. Drys in Washington D.C.
* Beginning of the end ?

The top of the front page has a three column headline: "Take Liquor Control Out of Criminal Hands, Says duPont; Modification Not Sufficient" with subhead. (see images)
Was this the beginning of the fight to repeal Prohibition?
Complete with 16 pages, some tiny binding holes along the spine, nice condition.

EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, Feb. 6, 1918

* Cardinal James Gibbons
* Catholic Church prelate
* Against prohibition
* Pro beer - liquor

The front page has a two column heading: "Cardinal Gibbons Announces Prohibition Amendment; Says Adoption Will Be Calamity". (see) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper. Rare as such.
Complete with 14 pages, small library stamp within the…

THE GREENSBORO PATRIOT (bi-weekly), North Carolina, January 20, 1919 

* Prohibition (no beer, liquor) wins
* 18th Amendment ratification
* 3/4 of the states needed is met

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "America First Nation To Legislate Liquor Out" with subheads. First report coverage on Nebraska formally ratifying the 18th amendment to the Constitution & causing Prohibition.
Complete with 8 pages, light, even toning, a few tiny binding holes along the spine/1st…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 21, 1933 

* End of Prohibition in Tennessee
* Beer - liquor returns

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "TENNESSEE VOTES FOR REPEAL WETS WINNING IN CITIES" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the state of Tennessee ratifying the repeal of prohibition. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Complete with all 36 pages, rag edition in great condition.

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, January 14, 1930

* Herbert Hoover message to U.S. Congress
* Prohibition & the enforcement of the Dry Law

The front page has a five column heading: "Fight Opens on Hoover Dry Proposals" with many subheads. (see images) Coverage continues on page 4 with text to Congress.
When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and…

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Massachusetts, February 17, 20, and the "Extra" of the 20th, 1933 

* 18th Amendment - prohibition end imminent
* House votes to repeal - 21st Amendment - Blaine Act

This trio of issues reports on the Blaine Act, a resolution adopted by the U.S. Congress on February 20, 1933, initiating repeal of the 18th Amendment which established Prohibition. Repeal was finalized when the 21st Amendment was ratified by the required minimum number of states on December 5, 1933.
See…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, April 13, 1933

* Prohibition ending in Michigan
* Beer - liquor soon to return
* Michigan Senate passes beer bill

The front page has a nice banner headline: "Senate Passes Beer Bill by 26 to 3 Vote" with subheads. (see) Prohibition would officially end a few weeks later.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 24 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally is in good condition.

THE DETROIT NEWS, June 21, 1933 

* End of Prohibition - repeal
* Iowa - Connecticut - New Hampshire
* Beer - liquor returns

The front page has a one column heading: "DRY IOWA JOIN REPEAL PARADE" with subhead. (see images) First report coverage on the states of Iowa, Connecticut and New Hampshire ratifying the repeal of prohibition.
Complete with 32 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 6, 1923

*Interesting Prohibition Headlines

The 2nd page has fascinating Prohibition coverage including: “CITY WANTS WHISKY FOR HOSPITAL USE”,“MODERN PAUL REVERE WARNS OF LIQUOR RAID” and “RUM-RUNNING ON THE SOUND”. 
Other single-column headlines include: “LAUDS NEGRO EDUCATION”, "Harding Foresees Beneficent Results to Race and Nation”, “'Human fly' FALLS 10 STORIES TO DEATH”, and “Harry F. Young, Scaling Martinique Hotel for a Movie Film, Misses His Grip”.
…

THE DETROIT NEWS, March 14, 1933 

* 3.2 per cent beer voted on 
* Franklin D. Roosevelt  endorses
* Prohibition ending 

The front page has a one column heading: "NATION VISIONS BEER BY APRIL" with subheads. (see) Coverage of the impending end of prohibition in America.
Complete with 22 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 19, 1933 

* End of Prohibition - repeal
* Alabama & Arkansas
* Beer - liquor returns

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "REPEAL WINS IN ALABAMA AND ARKANSAS BY 3 TO 2; LARGE WET VOTE IN CITIES" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the states of Alabama and Arkansas ratifying the repeal of prohibition. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Complete in 36 pages, light toning at the…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, February 24, 1931

* The 19th Amendment deemed valid
* Supreme Courts upholds Prohibition

The front page has a 4-column, 2-line heading: "SUPREME COURT HOLDS 18TH AMENDMENT VALID", with considerable supporting text. Yet again the Supreme Court fended off another challenge to the validity of Prohibition. The 19th Amendment would eventually be repealed, but this would not occur until 1933.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day.
…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 11, 1933 

* Prohibition ends
* Beer returns
* Legal liquor

The front page has a one column heading: "WHAT! NO BEER? CONFLICT RAGES IN THE SUBURBS" with subheads. (see) More on page 6. When it comes to gangsters, organized crime, and the nefarious activities born out of the Prohibition and Great Depression eras, no city is more in the forefront of our minds than Chicago - and what better newspaper can be found than the Chicago Tribune, self-proclaimed to be…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 20, 1933 

* End of Prohibition - repeal
* Beer - liquor returns
* New Mexico - Idaho

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "IDAHO, NEW MEXICO JOIN REPEAL RANKS; 31 STATES IN LINE" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the states of New Mexico and Idaho ratifying the repeal of prohibition. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., February 21, 1933

* 18th Amendment - prohibition end imminent
* House votes to repeal - 21st Amendment - Blaine Act

The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "REPEAL BILL GOES TO STATES" with subhead. (see) First report coverage on the United States House of Representatives approving the repeal of prohibition.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete with all 8 pages, light toning at the margins, a few small binding holes along…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, December 18, 1930

* Inventor Thomas Edison
* U.S. Prohibition support
* Anti beer - liquor law

Page 17 has a one column heading: "EDISON SEES BOON IN PROHIBITION LAW" with subheads. (see) See images for a question/answer article showing Thomas Edison's support for the Eighteenth Amendment. I suspect this is one of the few publications to report this particular event as other titles in our inventory do not.
Complete in 52 pages, light toning and some wear at the…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 24, 1933 

* End of Prohibition in New York State
* Beer - liquor returns - Ratification voted
* Repeal of the Eighteenth 18th Amendment

The top of the front page has a three line, two column headline: "REPEAL BY 20 TO 1 IS VOTED IN STATE; 6TH WET VICTORY" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the state of New York ratifying the repeal of Prohibition in the United States. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, February 3, 1935

* Prohibition ends in Iceland
* Beer returns - legal liquor

The top of the front page has a small one column heading: "Iceland Ends Prohibition; Few Drink Excessively" (see)
Other news of the day. Complete 1st section only with all 32 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE-TIMES, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1933. 

* Impending end of prohibition 
* 18th Amendment 
* Alcohol - beer -liquor 

The front page has a two column headline: "HOUSE PASSES DRY REPEAL BILL; GOES TO STATES"

with subheads that include: "Lame Duck Congress Ends Job Amid Cheers From Galleries" and more (see photos). Coverage on the impending end of prohibition.

Other news, sports and advertismeents of day. Very minor spine wear, otherwise nice.