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 publication
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 o... 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 #652656
March 17, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, March 17, 1743/4 (year double-dated for two calendars in use at the time. Would be 1744 by current calendar).
* Rare colonial periodical
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 title lasted but a few short years.
As the subtitle re... 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
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #683129
April 21, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 21, 1744 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. Even this title lasted but a few short ... See More
Great foldout map of Genoa, Italy... Early Ben Franklin item...
Item #667116
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1747 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 Franklin Papers, Yale University.
Nearly five pages are taken up with an: "Account of the Behaviour and E
... See More
Nearly five pages are taken up with an: "Account of the Behaviour and E
Early Ben Franklin item...
Item #667117
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1747 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 Franklin Papers, Yale University.
Nearly five pages are taken up with an: "Account of the Behaviour and E
... See More
Nearly five pages are taken up with an: "Account of the Behaviour and E
Article on electricity with Ben Franklin mention... The American pelican with a print...
Item #676519
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1750 * Early Benjamin Franklin
* Electricity experiments
Perhaps the most notable item is: "A Curious Remark on Electricity, from a Gentleman in America, whose ingenious Letters on this Subject will soon be published in a separate Pamphlet...", which includes an extract of a letter by Benjamin Franklin.
Other articles include: &quo... See More
Franklin's experiments with electricity... prints of birds... The Smoky Mountains...
Item #676719
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1752 * Ben Franklin's experiments with electricity
* Print of the Nightingale bird
* Explaining the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina
This issue includes a lengthy: "Letter from a Gentleman in Virginia" which is focused on the "smoaky weather" in Virginia, likely leading to the name of the "Smoky Mountains"... See More
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
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
Print of Crown Point and Cape of Good Hope... Article by Ben Franklin...
Item #676545
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1755 Of great interest is: "Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc. By B. Franklin, Esq. of Philadelphia", which takes 3 pages.Near the back are two prints on a single page, one headed: "Plan of Fort Frederick at Crown Point" and the other a map showing a much wider area including Lake Geor... 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
An early, handsome issue from the colonies... Nice Ben Franklin content...
Item #687150
July 05, 1762
THE BOSTON EVENING-POST, July 5, 1762 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 the University to the honorary degree of Doctor in Civil ... 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
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
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
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
Much on the America vs. England disputes...
Item #664131
December 14, 1775
THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE OR EDINBURGH AMUSEMENT, Scotland, Dec. 14, 1775 Inside has: "Papers Respecting America" which begins: "Ask commissioners are about to be sent to America, invested with very extraordinary powers in order to settle the unhappy dispute subsisting between America and this country..." and then with some historical references.
Also: "Lord North's N... See More
Speech by Ben Franklin's son, a Loyalist...
Item #664440
January 25, 1776
THE WEEKLY MAGAZINE OR EDINBURGH AMUSEMENT, Scotland, Jan. 25, 1776 Inside has over a full page containing a speech of Governor William Franklin--a Loyalist and Ben's son--to the New Jersey Assembly. The tone of the speech is very supportive of the King of England. The following page has news from the Montreal vicinity.
Also a letter from New York signed by: Robert Rogers, and then a re... See More
Revolutionary War content in a British newspaper...
Item #664534
January 04, 1777
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 4, 1777
* Revolutionary War
* 18th century
* From The Enemy
A page 2 item from Philadelphia headed "America" is concerning supplies for the army, noting: "...sundry inhabitants of these United States to keep supplies from the army or promote their own interest have purchased considerable quantities of clothing & refuse to dispos... See More
Congress rallies the troops...
Item #666873
January 16, 1777
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 16, 1777
* Benjamin Frankin, Ethan Allen & more
* Revolutionary War original from the enemy
Page 2 has a items concerning an officer at Boston addressing General Howe upon his retreat from the heights of Boston. And a short note from Ticonderoga, followed by a report from New York noting: "...General Howe has wrote for more troops...Whateve... See More
Proclamation by General Howe...
Item #666884
May 01, 1777
THE LONDON CHRONICLE,
* British General William Howe proclamation
Page 2 has a report from
A plan to reduce America to obedience... Much on the war...
Item #597074
May 14, 1777
EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, May 14, 1777 Over half of the front page is taken up with American news, including: "A Scheme for Reducing America to Obedience...by a Well-wisher to Government" (see). This is followed by reports from the New York Gazette which reports two military skirmishes, including: "...ordered out to attack a party of the rebels at De Lancey's Mi... See More
News from the Revolutionary War...
Item #597077
May 24, 1777
EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, May 24, 1777 Page 2 has a few reports concerning the Revolutionary War including: "From Connecticut that the jail in that colony are filled with loyal Americans who are treated in the most barbarous manner. Some are chained on their backs to the floor & others so loaded with irons that they can hardly walk...General Lee has a good room in New Yor... See More
Americans to give up hope for independence...
Item #597240
June 09, 1777
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, June 9, 1777 Most of the front page is taken up with the continued: "Further Extract from the Letters sent by the Missionaries in America to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts" which ties to the Revolutionary War, including: "...Matters now became critical in the highest degree. The rebel army amounted to near 30,00... 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
Map of Hudson River region... Franklin on exchange of prisoners...
Item #678034
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1778 * Rare Revolutionary War New York map
* Benjamin Franklin letter
* Ethan Allen
Of great significance is the very nice foldout map headed: "Map of Hudson's River with the Adjacent Country", which shows from Crown Point & Ticonderoga, south to Philadelphia, & also from Long Island to Lake Ontario with considerable de... See More
America is not about to compromise with England...
Item #615582
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1778 Among the articles within are: "The Theory of Insulating Bodies Examined, & some of the Supposed Properties which Electricians have ascribed to Glass, proved by Experiments not to Exist" includes reference to Ben Franklin; "On the Worshiping of the Primitive Christians to the East" , and more.The most significant c... See More
America is not about to compromise with England...
Item #651050
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1778 Among the articles within are: "The Theory of Insulating Bodies Examined, & some of the Supposed Properties which Electricians have ascribed to Glass, proved by Experiments not to Exist" includes reference to Ben Franklin; "On the Worshiping of the Primitive Christians to the East", and more.The most significant co... See More
Ben Franklin on learning to swim... Holt Castle print...
Item #217171
THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, January, 1779 Inside has nearly two pages on: "Useful Hints For Learning To Swim, In a Letter to a Friend, by Benj. Franklin, L.L.D. F.R.S."Also within: "On the Fatal Effects of Revenge" and: "On Female Conduct" & so much more. Near the back are news reports of the day but I see no war-related content.
This issue does feature... See More
Ben Franklin on learning to swim...
Item #660024
THE LONDON MAGAZINE, England, January, 1779 Inside has nearly two pages on: "Useful Hints For Learning To Swim, In a Letter to a Friend, by Benj. Franklin, L.L.D. F.R.S."Also within: "On the Fatal Effects of Revenge" and: "On Female Conduct" & so much more. Near the back are news reports of the day but I see no war-related content.
Complete in 48 pages, 5... See More
Activities in the war, in a very rare newspaper...
Item #658746
August 19, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Aug. 19, 1779 A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
The entire front page has content dealing with the increasing prices of commodities & the depreciation of the currency in the colonies, a notable concern at the time. Over half of pa... See More
British defeat in the South...
Item #592256
August 24, 1779
THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Aug. 24, 1779 Most of the first column on the front page is taken up with a piece from the book of Genesis prefaced with: "The following beautiful Apologue in the Eastern stile was written by Dr. Franklin some years ago, with a view of reclaiming his countrymen in New England from that spirit of intolerance and religious persecution which were then so... See More
Very lengthy letter by Ben Franklin... British generals say America cannot be conquered...
Item #658749
September 09, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, Sept. 9, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
* Lengthy letter from Benjamin Franklin
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781.
The entire front page and a bit of the back page are taken up with a very lengthy: "... See More
Book by Ben Franklin reviewed... Fort Stanwix...
Item #671801
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1779 * Ben Franklin's book is reviewed (brief)
* Fort Stanwix report
* Captain Cook's ships observed?
Near the back is a review of a book titled: "Political, Miscellaneous, & Philosophical Pieces, Written by Benjamin Franklin...".
Some talk of "American News" near the back, with mention that: "...Fo... See More
Rare title from the Revolutionary War...
Item #658251
December 23, 1779
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL & GENERAL ADVERTISER, Providence, Rhode Island, December 23, 1779
* Very rare American Revolutionary War publication
A truly rare title from the Revolutionary War, as it lasted for less than 1 1/2 years from March, 1779 to August, 1781. This issue is volume 1, number 41.
The front page begins with the conclusion of: "A Plan for Reducing New England by the... See More
Battle of Savannah... Captain Cook...
Item #653341
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1780 * Siege of Savannah - Georgia
* Benjamin Lincoln letter
* Captain James Cook - South Seas
Near the back is a section headed: "Advices Received from America" which includes: "Gen. Lincoln's Letter to Congress on the defeat of the combined Army before Georgia" with a dateline of Charleston, Oct. 22, 1779. This... See More
British & American forces in America...
Item #578283
February 03, 1781
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 3, 1781 Several pages are taken up with reports from the "House of Commons" which includes one bit noting: "...Lord Howe complained of a late publication in which he had been accused of having carried on a correspondence with Dr. Franklin, a little before he took the command in America--the fact was true, but the whole of that treasonable co... See More
Broadside edition of this famous title, with good content...
Item #658838
January 08, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Jan. 8, 1782
* Very rare Broadside edition from the Revolutionary War
Apparently a quite unusual broadside edition as the issue is single sheet with the back page blank. If page 2 had text I would suspect that the back leaf was missing, but the ftpg. text concludes on the front page and the reverse is entirely blank.
The ft... See More
Looks like terms for a peace ending the Revolutionary War are eminent...
Item #673654
May 02, 1782
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, May 2, 1782
* Revolutionary War Era
* 18th century
* From The Enemy
Inside has a letter from Paris mentioning: "...The day following they went to Dr. Franklin's hotel at Passy. From the frequent conferences they have since held with the American plenipotentiary...it is imagined that they are charged with a commission to settle the preliminaries for a g... See More
Pressure to end the war in America: ministers remain obstinate...
Item #658854
May 14, 1782
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, May 14, 1782
* Rare Revolutionary War publication
The front page has mention from London that: "The measures which injured the King's affairs the most in Virginia was the news arriving there that Lord Dunmore was to be their governor again...it arrested the activity of every man inclined to loyalty & quickened w... See More
Final items regarding the Revolutionary War...
Item #617546
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1782 The issue begins with 8 pages of "Proceedings In Parliament", the first 3 of which have much concerning America with mention of an exchange of prisoners, Mr. Laurens, Ben Franklin, Lord Cornwallis, General Burgoyne, and more.Near the back is the "Historical Chronicle" with the latest news reports of the day, including men... See More
Ben Franklin and John Jay in Paris...
Item #673669
July 23, 1782
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 23, 1782 Page 4 has letter No. III of: "A Brief Memorial Upon the American War...", which begins: "The Americans were the first in opening the campaign in 1777. Their army was collected toward the end of May at the camp at Middlebrook..." with a great deal of fine content on the conduct of the Revolutionary War, taking all of pg. 4 and ... See More
Mention of Ben Franklin...
Item #677306
October 30, 1782
THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Oct. 30, 1782
* Revolutionary War Era
* 18th century original
* From The Enemy
* Benjamin Franklin
Page 2 has amongst the news reports: "...a requisition made by the Secretary of State for an armed vessel to be got in immediate readiness for conveying some fresh instructions to the Commander in Chief at New York...Dr. Franklin has received...t... See More
Adams, Franklin, Jay, Laurens, & Jefferson authorized to negotiate terms for peace...
Item #673898
February 27, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 27, 1783
* re. Revolutionary War ending in peace
Inside has one-third of a page taken up with the: "Copy of the Commission of the United States of America, to John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and Thomas Jefferson, Esqrs. June 15, 1781."
The document--signed in type by the President & Secretary of Congress--formal... See More
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P.O. Box 3636
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