Engraving of a porcupine in the masthead...
Item #704633
March 29, 1798
PORCUPINE'S GAZETTE, Philadelphia, March 29, 1798
* Rare 18th century American publication
The masthead features an engraving of a porcupine. The entire front page is taken up with ads including one for a runaway slave headed: "Ten Dollars Reward" Two more appear on the back page.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, a little ink dirtiness to a quadrant of the front page ... See More
The HMS Bounty prepares for its fateful trip... A slave ship burns...
Item #704521
August 28, 1787
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, Aug. 28, 1787
* Captain William Bligh prepares for voyage
* HMS Bounty - merchant ship - mutiny fame
* Fateful South Pacific Ocean expedition
The back page has an inconspicuous report noting "The ship which has been engaged by the Admiralty to make a voyage to the Society Islands for the bread-fruit which is to be transported to our West India settlement,... See More
Confederate newspaper...Sherman advancing towards Columbia...
Item #704498
November 01, 1864
THE DAILY SOUTHERN GUARDIAN, Columbia, South Carolina, Nov. 1, 1864
* Rare Confederate publication
A rather rare title and great that it includes the word “Southern”.
The front page is mostly taken up with ads & military notices but the first 1 1/2 columns are taken up with letters of a military nature. More war reporting on page 2 with: "Frightful Carnage" &... See More
Last sermon of Brigham Young before Utah... Nice on the capture of slave ships...
Item #704483
March 21, 1846
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, March 21, 1846 The front page has an editorial concerning the Mexican War: "Shall We Have Peace or War?" Page 3 has a report: "Slavers Captured" being an account of the capture of the slave ships Panther, Patuxent, and Pons. Note that although slavery continued until the Civil War, the importation of slaves was outlawed in 1808.
A... See More
Creating the Naval Academy at Annapolis... Arresting Brigham Young...
Item #704478
January 31, 1846
NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 31, 1846
* United States Naval Academy is born
* Brigham Young arrested - Mormons
Near the back is a nice article on the establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, headed: "The Naval School At Annapolis", which includes: "It is generally understood that in September last the military post at Annapolis, Md., was vacated... See More
The first issue of this controversial newspaper...
Item #704455
January 31, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 31, 1861
* Rare pro Confederate publication
* Pre City War Southern tensions
* The volume 1 - number 1 issue
This is the very first issue--volume 1 number 1--of what was described as "The Hottest Rebel Sheet to be found in the North or the South".
This newspaper opposed the war and attracted the hatred of the Republicans and the Lincoln ad... See More
Rare mention of the Underground Railroad...
Item #704445
October 06, 1854
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Oct. 6, 1854
* Slavery - slaves - pre-Civil War tensions
* Rare "Underground Railroad" mention
The bottom of page 4 has small report with a rare mention of the Underground Railroad.
Because it was a secretive operation it is very difficult to find period accounts of its operation.
This article, from Lowville, New York, specifically has "underground r... See More
Slave ads & notices... California mining news...
Item #704384
September 26, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 26, 1850
* Rare antebellum publication
* From the deep South
Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many ads is one on the front page with heading: which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, h... See More
Beginning of the Republican Party: John Fremont becomes their first Presidential candidate...
Item #704325
June 26, 1856
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 26, 1856
* Republican Party is formed
* John C. Fremont nomination
* 1st nominated for United States president
A very historic issue for the Republican party as it reports their first Presidential candidate, John Fremont.
This new political party, founded just two years previous, held the prohibition of slavery as the principal issue of their platform.
T... See More
Creating the Bank of the United States...
Item #704193
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 ... See More
On the arrest of Medary, the publisher of this newspaper...
Item #704170
June 01, 1864
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, June 1, 1864
* Samuel Medary arrested
* Best title to be had (rare)
A notable issue as the front page has good content reporting on the arrest of Samuel Medary, the publisher of this newspaper. The first article is: "Is It Revolution! -- More Arrests" followed by: "Liberty Lies Sunned & Bleeding From Assassin Blows & Wounds!" wh... 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
John Brown's raid, plus much more...
Item #703967
November 08, 1859
NEW YORK TIMES, November 8, 1859 The front page has various reports on the Harper's Weekly insurrection as well as other items of collector interest.
Among the column heads are: "The Harper's Ferry Insurrection - Lecture by Rev. J. Sella Martin" "Capture of Two Slavers" being slave ships; "Indian Depredations--Battle at the Del Nofrtge" in New Mexico; &... See More
Terrific & rare account of the Underground Railroad...
Item #703920
December 16, 1857
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Dec. 16, 1857 Page 6 has 2 1/2 columns taken up with a terrific, and very uncommon report on the Underground Railroad.
Because it was a secretive operation it is very difficult to find period accounts of its operation. This article specifically has "underground railroad" noted in the heads, which include: "Under-Ground Railroad Report" "Forty-Four ... See More
Lincoln steps upon the national stage... The Cooper Union speech...
Item #703677
February 28, 1860
NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Feb. 28, 1860
* Abraham Lincoln address
* Cooper Institute Union speech
* New York City
The front page has over five columns devoted to coverage of this famous speech which is headed: "NATIONAL POLITICS" "A Speech Delivered at the Cooper Institute Last Evening, by Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois".
At this point Lincoln had not declared... See More
Building & dedicating Fort Fayette in Pennsylvania... The Second Militia Act...
Item #703606
June 02, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 2, 1792 Most of the front page is taken up with A cot of Congress now known as the Second Militia Act, signed in script type by the President, Go. Washington on May 8, 1792.
It is officially entitled: "An ACT More Effectually to Provide for the National Defense by Establishing a Uniform Militia Throughout the United States".
As noted in Wikipedia,... See More
First printing of the first Census Act...
Item #703187
March 10, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, March 10, 1790
* The Census Act of 1790
* Very first U.S. census
The nation's capital was in New York City at this time, so it is of great significance that close to half of the front page is taken up with the very first printing of: "An ACT Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States".
This was th... See More
Jourdon Anderson's letter to his former slave master
Item #703078
March 07, 1865
(for reference only - item does not exist) SACRAMENTO DAILY UNION, California, Sep. 23, 1865 Jourdon Anderson's letter to his former slave master
Jourdon Anderson's letter to his former slave master
Missouri Compromise approved: Missouri can create a Constitution & join the Union...
Item #702744
March 28, 1820
NEW HAMPSHIRE PATRIOT & STATE GAZETTE, Concord, March 28, 1820
* Missouri Compromise approved
* President James Monroe
* Slavery or free state ?
As a result of the recent approval of the historic Missouri Compromise (March 3), the front page has: "Laws Of The Union" including: "AN ACT to authorize the people of Missouri Territory to form a Constitution and St... See More
Jefferson, Louisiana, Jews, slave trade...
Item #702680
April 04, 1804
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, April 4, 1804 From shortly after the Louisiana Purchase, it's not surprising that there are several items within concerning it, with: "Government Of Louisiana" and another similarly titled.
Also a letter signed by Thomas Jefferson concerning Capt. Bainbridge and action at Tripoli. Also: "Execution of Two Jews" whic... See More
Civil War map... Lincoln plans for his Emancipation Proclamation...
Item #702657
August 22, 1862
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Aug. 22, 1862
* First Battle of Rappahannock Station close
* Abraham Lincoln prepares emancipation proclamation
The front page is dominated by a large Civil War map headed: "THE SEAT OF WAR IN VIRGINIA." Among the column heads on the front page are: "General Pope Falling Back" "Stonewall Jackson Advancing" "Richmond Abandoned... See More
Pony Express - collecting mail for the very first run...
Item #702621
April 02, 1860
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, April 2, 1860
* Pony Express - prior to 1st trek
* Saint Louis, Missouri
Page 3 has a very interesting article concerning the beginning of the Pony Express service, outlining the charges. The text is headed: "The California Pony Express" and is datelined St. Louis, with portions including: "We learn...that they commence receiving despatches for the Cal... See More
Phillis Wheatley arrives in London...
Item #702240
June 22, 1773
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 22, 1773
* Phillis Wheatley's London arrival
* Famous Woman servant turned poet
Certainly the most notable report is found on the back page, which contains: "Last Thursday the celebrated negro girl Phillis, the Poet, whose extraordinary talents have lately been taken notice of in the News Papers, arrived in London from Boston in New England. She ... See More
North Carolina has rejoined the Union?
Item #702210
November 28, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 28, 1861 This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
Among the articles are: "North Carolina Has Come Back Into the Union" "Hanging Prisoners of War" "The Lowest Type of Humanity" "Davis's Message to the Confederate Congress"
... See More
Much on the historic Battle of Ball's Bluff...
Item #702209
November 07, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1861
* Pro Confederate title
* Battle of Ball's Bluff
This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
Among the various reports are: "Rebel Account of the Battle of Ball's Bluff..." "The Exchange of Prisoners" "The Battle of Ball&
... See More
A pro-South newspaper from the North...
Item #702208
October 24, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1861 This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
Among the articles: "War News of the Week" "Fremont's Accounts & Fortifications Suspended" "How Secessionists are Made in Ohio" "Lexington After the Surrender" & muc
... See More
"Confederate" newspaper from the North...
Item #702207
October 17, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1861 This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
Among the articles within are: "The Condition of Kentucky" "A Western Woman's Views of the Crisis" "The Prisoners of War..." "The News of the Week" "Bad News from Wilso
... See More
Difficulties between General Fremont and President Lincoln...
Item #702206
October 10, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1861 This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
Among the articles are: "The Slaves as a Military Element in the South" "The Battle at Springfield, Mo." "Southern Intelligence--The Rebel Army of the Potomac" and much more. Over 2 colum
... See More
Considering anti-slavery...
Item #701962
February 20, 1790
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Feb. 20, 1790
* Early abolition of slavery
Most of the front page, all of page 2, and most of page 3 are taken up with detailed reporting on discussions in Congress, much of it concerning the public debt.
The back page has most of a full column taken up with "Letter No. 1" signed in type by: Rusticus, concerning the slavery issue... See More
Printed on a Southern plantation... The "reign of terror"...
Item #701902
December 08, 1862
THE COUNTRYMAN, Turnwold, Putnam County, Georgia, Dec. 8, 1862
* Only known title to be published on a Southern Plantation
* From Joel Chandler Harris's own personal collection
* Non-J.C.H. issues are quite valuable in and of themselves
The entire front page is taken up with a poem: "The Old Plantation!"
Page 3 has an editorial: "War" and page 4 is take... See More
A union-occupation newspaper in South Carolina...
Item #701672
January 10, 1863
THE FREE SOUTH, Beaufort, South Carolina, Jan. 10, 1863
* Rare Union occupation publication
On November 7, 1861, the Union Navy seized control of Port Royal Harbor in South Carolina, securing a beachhead for a new kind of journalism--the occupation newspaper. Whereas many of the homegrown South Carolina newspapers defended secession and championed the military victories of the Confede... See More
Lincoln's Proclamation calling for more troops for the Civil War...
Item #701665
May 09, 1861
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, May 9, 1861
* Abraham Lincoln proclamation
* Calls for more troops - soldiers
* Rare pro-Confederate title
* First weeks of the Civil War
This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently much content has an anti-North bias.
The top of page 5 has: "A Proclamation by the President of the United States". In t... See More
The fall of Richmond... Very graphic...
Item #701664
April 04, 1865
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE, April 4, 1865
* The fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital
* Terrific heraldic eagle & map for display
See the photos for this terrific and extremely graphic issue reporting the capture of Richmond, which essentially meant the end of the Confederacy. Lee would surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 5 days later.
The first column heads read: "VIR
... See More
* The fall of Richmond, the Confederate capital
* Terrific heraldic eagle & map for display
See the photos for this terrific and extremely graphic issue reporting the capture of Richmond, which essentially meant the end of the Confederacy. Lee would surrender to Grant at Appomattox just 5 days later.
The first column heads read: "VIR
The Militia Act of 1792...
Item #701540
May 23, 1792
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 23, 1792
* Militia Act signed into U.S. law
* President George Washington
The front page contains in full the historic Militia Act of 1792, which allowed the President to temporarily take control of state militias in times of crises. It is titled: "An ACT to Provide for Calling Forth the Militia to Execute the Laws of the Union, Suppress Insurrect... See More
Death by duel for naval hero Stephen Decatur...
Item #701485
March 23, 1820
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 23, 1820
* Stephen Decatur Killed
* United States Navy commodore
* Duel vs. James Barron
The front page has a report of a slave insurrection in Cuba. Page 3 has a broadside-like announcement, in larger than normal type & black-bordered, announcing the death of naval hero Stephen Decatur, mentioning his death as a result of a duel.
... See More
The Northwest Ordinance...
Item #701446
July 21, 1787
THE NEW HAVEN GAETTE & THE CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE, August 2, 1787 A very significant newspaper as all of the front page & a portion of page 2 contain the complete printing of the Northwest Ordinance.
Considered to be one of the most significant achievements of the Congress of the Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 put the world on notice not only that the land north of the... See More
New Orleans document for the sale of a woman slave...
Item #701390
March 05, 1849
New Orleans slave sale document: A part-printed, part-handwritten document headed "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. State of Louisiana" for the sale of a slave.
The full text can be seen in the photos, however portions include: "...he does...grant, bargain sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver...Unto Sean Nontanee...of this city...purchasing for himself, his heir and assigns, a negro... See More
Slavery ads...
Item #701331
August 06, 1828
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 1828 The front page has 3 slave-related ads including: "Slaves Wanted" and: "For Sale, A Negro Man aged about 26 years...". Page 3 has a: "Fifty Dollars Reward" for a runway, with much detail.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, nice condition.
In a pro-South newspaper: Lincoln's inaugural address on the front page...
Item #701259
March 08, 1865
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, March 8, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln's inauguration
* Inaugural address on the ftpg.
* Closing weeks of the Civil War - pro-Confederate title
Among the front page reports is: "Inauguration of President Lincoln--His Address" which contains his address in full, ending with the immortal words: "With malice towards none, with charity for all, wit... See More
Four documents signed by George Washington... Significant pronouncement by Franklin on slavery...
Item #701210
November 25, 1789
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789
* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington
It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin Franklin as President of the: "Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage".
This is an extremely notewor... See More
Slave ads & notices in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper... Slave labor in California...
Item #701059
September 20, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 20, 1850 Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
The front page has an illustrated ad: "$20 Reward" for a runaway mulatto boy. Also of interest is a front page ad headed: "Slaves! Slaves!! Slaves!!!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, ... See More
Slave ads & notices in this antebellum Louisiana newspaper...
Item #701039
September 03, 1850
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 3, 1850 Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many page 3 ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves!! Slaves!!!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the ... See More
On the retirement of George Washington from public office...
Item #700777
December 16, 1796
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, Dec. 16, 1796
* President George Washington
* Retirement from public service
The front page includes 18 illustrated ship advertisements.
Page 3 has a letter signed in type: George Washington, in response to another letter about his retirement from public office. Washington makes some nice comments.
Page 2 has another lett... See More
'Bleeding Kansas': assassination attempt upon the sheriff...
Item #700711
May 07, 1856
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 7, 1856
* Sacking of Lawrence
* Pro-slavery settlers
* Bleeding Kansas
* Sheriff Samuel J. Jones
Page 3 has a report headed: "Attempted Assassination In Kansas" which reports on the attack upon Sheriff Samuel Jones.
Wikipedia has a nice piece on this, including: "On April 23 Sheriff Jones entered Lawrence and attem... See More
Inaugural address of Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederacy...
Item #700687
March 05, 1862
THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, March 5, 1862
* Confederate president Jefferson Davis
* Inauguration at Richmond, Virginia
The most notable content would be the lengthy back page report headed: "Inauguration of Jeff. Davis as President of the Bogus Confederacy" as taken from the Richmond Enquirer Extra. The full text is: "The Inaugural Address".
Among other articles... See More
Just after the War of 1812...
Item #700676
June 02, 1815
THE WEEKLY MESSENGER, Boston, June 2, 1815 The front page has most of a column taken up with: "The Slave Trade". Nearly half of the front page is tan up with: "Gen. Wilkinson's
Trial".
In 1811 Wilkinson was accused of spying for the Spanish, becoming the highest ranking official in U.S. history ever to face an espionage trial.
Inside has: "Military... See More
On the "Causes & Necessity for Taking Up Arms"...
Item #700625
August 21, 1775
ARIS'S BIRMINGHAM GAZETTE, England, Aug. 21, 1775
* Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms
* Thomas Jefferson - John Dickinson - John Hancock
* The American Revolutionary War beginning
The very top of the front page has an extremely historic letter which summarizes the text of the document issued by the American Congress on July 6, 1775, which we now know as the &qu... See More
Captured slave ship... Bleeding Kansas...
Item #700533
July 11, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 11, 1857 Page 3 has over half a column taken up with: "The Alleged Slaver Libelled" which is a lengthy & detailed account of the capture of the slave ship Panchita.
On page 3 is: "Kansas News" which is a brief report concerning Bleeding Kansas, the period of repeated outbreaks of violent guerrilla warfare between p... See More
Captured slave ship... Mormons abandoning Utah... Bleeding Kansas...
Item #700532
July 10, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 10, 1857 Page 3 has 1 1/2 columns taken up with: "Gov. Walker & the South" which reports on the latest from "Bleeding Kansas".
Bleeding Kansas describes the period of repeated outbreaks of violent guerrilla warfare between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces following the creation of the new territory of Kansas in ... See More
Famous fugitive slave case in Ohio...
Item #700531
July 15, 1857
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 15, 1857
* Fugitive slave law tensions
Page 2 has over a full column taken up with: "An Interesting Case In Ohio" which is a somewhat famous fugitive slave case. Much of the report is taken up with the words of Judge Leavitt.
Also on page 2 is: "The Eastern Shore of Maryland" which takes most of a column & is very ... See More
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