Ben Franklin's famous "Unite Or Die" engraving in the masthead...
Item #692301
November 30, 1774
THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, November 30, 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
G. I. Bill of Rights is signed by FDR...
Item #691348
June 23, 1944
THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 23, 1944
* G. I. Bill of Rights is signed
* Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR
* World War II veteran benefits
The front page has a one column heading: "ROOSEVELT SIGNS 'G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS'" with subhead. Continues on the back page (pg. 32) with photo of the signing by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Other news, sports and advertisements o... See More
The first successful magazine in the country...
Item #689255
April 28, 1744
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 28, 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
North Carolina ratifies the Constitution... Albany described...
Item #689152
THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, December, 1789 The issue begins with a full page: "Description of the City of Albany" (plate is lacking). Other items include: "Memoirs of The Bastille"; a very interesting & detailed: "Letter III - Letters from a Pennsylvanian on his Travels Into the Eastern States..." which takes over 5 pages; a full page chart: "... See More
Early advertisement for the historic Cape May Congress Hall hotel...
Item #688886
July 03, 1851
THE DAILY UNION, City of Washington, D.C., July 3, 1851 Among the advertisements at the bottom of page 2 is one for the Congress Hall Hotel, headed: "Sea Bathing, Cape May, N.J." and beginning: "Congress Hall is now open for the reception of visitors..." with various detail.
Congress Hall is a very historic hotel in Cape May, first constructed in 1816 as a wooden boardin... See More
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&
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&
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&
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
George Washington, John Adams, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Ben Franklin...
Item #687495
June 03, 1790
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY, OR, THE WORCESTER GAZETTE, June 3, 1790 Over half of the front page is taken up with the continuation of: "An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes Against the United States" and is signed in type by the President: George Washington, and the Vice President: John Adams.
It's always desirable to have a signature in type by President Washington ... See More
Ben Franklin's will, and much more...
Item #687400
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, January, 1792* Benjamin Franklin's will
The bulk of the issue is taken up with a wide range of eclectic articles as noted on the full title/contents page.
The issue begins with: "Extracts from Dr. Franklin's Will" which takes over a full page and provides many details on various beneficiaries.
Also within: "Thoughts on Dueling&qu... 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 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 conciliatory Olive Branch Petition and proclaimed that the American colonies were in a state of open rebellion.
This response is dat
... 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
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
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
The French Constitution... Article concerning Ben Franklin...
Item #686814
December 10, 1791
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 10, 1791 The entire front page is taken up with the second (of 4) installment of: "The French Constitution Revised, Amended, and Finally Decreed, by the National Assembly".
Page 2 begins with: "Congressional Intelligence" headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle. Also inside is an address: "To Josiah Harmar, Brig. General of the ... 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
George Washington, Trumbull the artist, Ben Franklin...
Item #686084
September 11, 1790
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Sept. 11, 1790 The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are a continuation of an Act of Congress concerning the collection of duties, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle.
Page 3 has a nice letter signed in type by: George Washington which is concerning the "...elegant barge...." which carried Washington over the river to his formal arrival i... See More
Terrific issue on the Jefferson/Callender situation...
Item #685609
October 26, 1802
AURORA GENERAL ADVERTISER, Frankford, Oct. 26, 1802
* President Thomas Jefferson
* James Callender squabble
Note that this issue was published in nearby Frankford to escape the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia.
Page 2 begins with a very lengthy editorial which includes: "The business of the late election had diverted our attention from various objects, and the execrable wretch Ca... See More
Rare mention of "Sally" in Callender's letter...
Item #685605
September 11, 1802
AURORA GENERAL ADVERTISER, Frankford, Sept. 11, 1802
* President Thomas Jefferson
* Rare Sally Hemings mention
* James T. Callender
Note that this issue was published in nearby Frankford to escape the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia.
This issue has a wealth of fine content on the Callender/Jefferson situation. Page 2 begins with over a full column report/editorial concerning ... 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
On Ben Franklin's water spouts, with a print...
Item #682557
GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1788 * Benjamin Franklin on water spouts
* Post Revolutionary War era
Perhaps the most interesting article is: "Dr. Lindsay on Dr. Franklin's Doctrine of Water-spouts" which comments on Ben Franklin's work. This article takes 2 1/2 pages and one of the plates includes prints of various water spouts.
An article: "Edict... 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
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
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
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
On Ben Franklin negotiating a peace treaty to end the war...
Item #681056
March 26, 1782
THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE, London, March 26, 1782 The front page has some text concerning negotiations in Paris to end the war, bits including: "...handed about in Paris, the substance...of the answers & representations given by dr. Franklin in a conversation he had lately with the 'french minister upon american affairs The Doctor...testified the very great & just estee... See More
Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine...
Item #679009
March 05, 1898
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, March 5, 1898
* USS Maine sinking disaster
* Spanish-American War prelude
* Havana Harbor, Cuba
The front page has a full page illustration of" "Washington's Birthday Celebration at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia".
Two full pages includes 16 photos of: "Destruction of the U.S. Battleship 'Maine in Havana Harbo... See More
Battle of Manila: Spanish-American War...
Item #679006
June 25, 1898
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 25, 1898
* Battle of Manila Bay, Philippines
* Admiral George Dewey's victory
* Spanish-American War
Full ftpg: "The Auxiliary Cruiser 'St. Paul' On Scout Duty". Two fullpgs. showing the harbor of Santiago. Nice fullpg: "Battle of Manila--Adm. Dewey's Squadron Swinging Around the Ellipse". Nice illus. of: "R... 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
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
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
Letters by Benjamin Franklin...
Item #676185
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, July, 1787 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 Dr. Franklin, Containi... See More
Obituary of Benjamin Franklin...
Item #675450
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. It 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 life & c... See More
Ben Franklin to return home?
Item #674414
November 01, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Nov. 1, 1783 The back page has a short but very notable item: "A letter from Paris says that Dr. Franklin is sent for to America, in order to have his advice in making a code of laws for the better government of the United States; and that Mr. Laurens, jun. is to reside at Paris in quality of their Ambassador until some other appointment is made."
Re... See More
Italy enters World War II in 1940....
Item #674111
June 10, 1940
HERALD EXPRESS, Los Angeles, 2nd WAR EXTRA, June 10, 1940
* Italy enters World War II - WWII (1st report)
* Benito Mussolini's announcement
The front page has a nice banner headline above the masthead: "ITALY DECLARES WAR" with subhead. Nice for display.
Complete 1st section only with pages 1 to 16, light toning and minor wear at the central fold and spine, generally good.
... See More
Ben Franklin and John Jay in Paris...
Item #673669
July 23, 1782
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 23, 1782
* Revolutionary War era
* Benjamin Franklin & John Jay
* Treaty of Paris talks
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 g... See More
Benjamin Franklin letter... Horatio Nelson's account of the battle in which he lost his arm...
Item #673434
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, England, September, 1797 Includes a short letter by Benjamin Franklin, originally written by him in Paris in 1784. Elsewhere are reports from Lord Horatio Nelson on the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife where he was severely wounded and lost his right arm, signed in type: Lord Nelson.Both full page plates called for are present.
Complete in 88 pa... 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
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
Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod experiment...
Item #671792
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1752 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. Each piece of the illustration is identified as well. A great and early conte
... See More
One of the earliest newspapers from the colonies...
Item #669851
April 03, 1735
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY MERCURY, Philadelphia, April 3, 1735 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 Colonies, and only the fourth newspaper published in all of the America... See More
Ben Franklin's statue in Boston is erected...
Item #669598
October 26, 1856
THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Oct. 25, 1856
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin (statue)
The front page has a nice print of: "Statue of Dr. Franklin, Just Erected in Boston, U.S." A related article is on page 2: "Inauguration of the Statue of Dr. Franklin at Boston, U.S." which has much detail on it.
This quite famous statue still stands in Boston, although remov... See More
Creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #669532
THE UNIVERSAL ASYLUM & COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, February, 1791 * First Bank of the United States creation
Certainly the most notable content is at the back where is found a significant report headed: Congress of the United States" with the text of the creation of the Bank of the United States.
It is titled: "An Act to Incorporate the Subscribers to the Bank of t... See More
Early Ben Franklin item...
Item #667117
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1747
* "The Speech of Polly Baker"
* Early Benjamin Franklin story
Inside includes the well-known Ben Franklin item: "Speech of Polly 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 Unive
... See More
* "The Speech of Polly Baker"
* Early Benjamin Franklin story
Inside includes the well-known Ben Franklin item: "Speech of Polly 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 Unive
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
The Act creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #664965
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
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
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
Ben Franklin's donation...
Item #663756
October 25, 1788
PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 25, 1788 Page 3 has an item noting: "We learn that Dr. Franklin a few days ago presented the Hon. Vice President Redick with 50 pounds as a donation to the Academy lately erected in Washington...". Other news reports from Boston, New York & Petersburg.
Four pages, very nice condition with 17 illus. ship ads on the ... 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.
History's Newsstand Blog
- They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To… Displayable Mastheads . . . A Lost Art
- Most Popular History’s Newsstand Posts – January 2023 update
- Announcing: Catalog #327 for February, 2023 – Rare & Early Newspapers for collectors…
- This Day in “News” History (Part II) – January 27th…
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
P.O. Box 3636
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 1-570-326-1045
Fax: 1-570-326-7606
E-mail: info@rarenewspapers.com
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:30 - 4 (ET)
Full Contact Information
