19th century San Diego, California...
Item #719556
March 27, 1874
THE WORLD, San Diego, California, March 27, 1874
* Rare Old West publication
A very early issue from this now-famous Southern California city, this issue published when the population was just 2,300.
Complete with all 4 pages in nice condition.... See More
On a California lynching by the Committee of Vigilance, wth a print...
Item #719062
November 15, 1851
ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Nov. 15, 1851 Pages 3 and 4 contain an article on a famous case involving the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance, headed: "Californian Lynchings". Included as well is a print captioned: "Lynching In San Francisco".
In 1851, San Francisco was a city in chaos, its population swelling due to the Gold Rush and its streets rife with crime a... See More
From rough & tumble Deadwood, Dakota Territory...
Item #715883
March 03, 1878
BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood, Black Hills, March 3, 1878
* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame
This town would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. Plus, this is a volume 1 issue.
This ... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #715704
September 23, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Sept. 23, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead. All four pages have various news tidbits of the day, including local, regional, and national reports. A great wealth of advertisements as well, several of ... See More
This town was founded during the California Gold Rush...
Item #712737
August 06, 1881
THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, August. 6, 1881
* Rare Old West title
* Gold mining town
* Sierra County
Downieville is a very small town at 3,000 ft. elevation in Northwestern California. It was founded in late 1849 during the California gold rush & was first known as "The Forks" for its location at the confluence of the Downie River and the North For... See More
An early 1873 wine country newspaper...
Item #710865
October 15, 1873
THE NAPA REGISTER, Napa City, California, Oct. 15, 1873
* Rare old West publication
* From the wine country
Although in the heart of the wine region, for which this city is famous today, its beginnings were centered more on the California Gold Rush of 1849. This city became a refuge for miners during the first severe winter of mining & later became an important center for lu... See More
Regarding John D. Lee's confession on the Mountain Meadows Massacre...
Item #707351
April 11, 1877
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, April 11, 1877 Among the front page articles: "The Mormons--John D. Lee's Last Confession" which mentions in part: "...in regard to the last confession of John D. Lee, the Mountain Meadows murderer...The affiant also says that in the confession as published by Howard, several important facts stated by Lee, implicating Brigham Young, were om... See More
A gold mining camp in California...
Item #707064
September 12, 1885
THE PLACER HERALD, Auburn, Placer County, California, Sept. 12, 1885 Placer mining in the Auburn area was very good, with the camp first becoming known as the North Fork Dry Diggings, later changed to Woods Dry Diggings. The area soon developed into a mining camp, and it was officially named Auburn in 1849.
In 1851 Auburn was chosen as the seat of Placer County. Gold mining operations moved... See More
Early from the wine country of California...
Item #706994
April 25, 1874
THE NAPA REPORTER, Napa City, California, April 25, 1874 Although in the heart of the wine region, for which this city is famous today, its beginnings were centered more on the California Gold rush of 1849. This city became a refuge for miners during the first severe winter of mining & later became an important center for lumber & cattle ranches.
A typical mix of news of the day and... See More
Great front page early print of Yosemite Valley... The Chicago Fire...
Item #706199
November 01, 1871
THE CUB, San Francisco, California, November, 1871
* Yosemite Valley engraving - illustration
* Sierra Nevada Mountains - California
* The Great Chicago Fire disaster
A curious little newspaper which features an engraving of a bear cub in the masthead. A semi-monthly paper with a great front-page print of: "Yosemite Valley" with a related article. Nice to have this early illustr... See More
Earliest San Diego newspaper to be had?
Item #706020
July 27, 1872
THE WEEKLY WORLD, San Diego, California, July 27, 1872 Perhaps the earliest San Diego newspaper you will find, as this is the volume one, number one issue.
The front page begins with the "Valedictory" in which the publisher details the purpose of and plans for the new newspaper.
Complete in 4 pages, never bound nor trimmed, various small tears at the margins as is typical of firs... See More
Something for California tax payers to think about...
Item #705642
June 03, 1867
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, June 3, 1867 The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July. It became the first successful newspaper in California, lasting un... See More
A 'classic' Wild West stagecoach robbery...
Item #705613
February 06, 1877
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Feb. 6, 1877
* Old West publication
* Arizona crime
Among the front page articles is: "Arizona" "Robbery of the California and Arizona Stage--The Robbers captured and Property Recovered". And this is followed by another report: "Later--Indignation Against the Robbers".
Four pages, small binding holes at the blank spine, g... See More
From the Monterey Bay...
Item #705564
March 13, 1875
SANTA CRUZ ENTERPRISE, California, March 13, 1875
* Wild Old West
* Rare publication
A volume 2 issue of this now-popular seaside community in the Monterey Bay vicinity. Various news of the day with a great wealth of advertisements.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin wear, nice condition.... See More
Growth of California towns...
Item #705400
September 22, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, Sept. 22, 1871 Page 2 has most of a column taken up with: "Growth of Towns in California".
Four pages, small folio size, nice condition.
The very first issue published...
Item #705350
April 09, 1880
GEORGETOWN GAZETTE, El Dorado County, California, April 9, 1880 This is the volume 1, number 1 issue. A very rare title from this now-historical site, the most northeastern town in California's Mother Lode mining territory near the Nevada border.
Less than 1000 people reside there today but in its heyday of the 1850's & 1860's the population exceeded 3000. Gold mining contin... See More
From the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas... The first issue published...
Item #705161
January 10, 1874
FOOT-HILL WEEKLY TIDINGS, Grass Valley, California, Jan. 10, 1874
* Rare Old West publication
* Volume 1 - Number 1 issue
* Many interesting advertisements
This town in Northern California was formally named "Boston Ravine" and then "Centerville". It began as a mining town, situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Northeastern Calif.
This ... See More
First issue of a German language newspaper from San Francisco...
Item #705122
June 17, 1871
HUMORIST, San Francisco, California, June 17, 1871 A smaller size newspaper totally in the German language, obviously for the German immigrants in the Bay area. The masthead features a devil-like engraving. This is the volume 1, number 1 issue--the first published.
Eight pages with very wide margins, 9 3/4 by 12 inches, a lower corner is missing but not affecting any text, various small mar... See More
Shot down in a saloon... Founder of gold in California...
Item #705007
September 22, 1884
ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 22, 1884
* James W. Marshall - California gold fame
This title always had a wealth of typically Western-themed reports as well as ads.
Page 2 has: "Slain In A Saloon" "A Grandson of Henry Clay Shot by a Louisville Alderman" "Shot Through the Heart--Drunken Ruffians--A Rancher Killed--A Texan Murderer Arrested in Georgia" as... See More
Great Tombstone newspaper printed ten days before the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
Item #704629
October 16, 1881
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Cochise County, Arizona, October 16, 1881
* Best Old West title to be had
* Pre Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept th... See More
Very early from San Diego, and with good content...
Item #704620
October 12, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 12, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
Not just a very early newspaper from San Diego (a vol. 2 issue) but with nice content as well, as the front page has column-wide heads: "CHICAGO" "The Latest News--Extent of the Burnt District--The Entire Northern Division Swept Clean--The People Camped on the Prairie".
In... See More
Apaches on the war-path...
Item #704573
June 05, 1867
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, June 5, 1867
* Rare old West publication
The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July. It became the first successful n... See More
The first newspaper published in Modesto, California...
Item #704341
March 11, 1881
STANISLAUS COUNTY WEEKLY NEWS, Modesto, California, March 11, 1881
* Rare Old West publication
An early newspaper from this city in North-central California which when it began in 1868 was the first newspaper in Modesto. In 1881 the population of the town was less than 1000.
Various news events of the day, local, regional and national, with a wealth of advertising.
Four pages, large ... See More
Great Tombstone newspaper printed 3 months before the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
Item #704222
July 26, 1881
THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Cochise County, Arizona, July 26, 1881
* Best Old West title to be had
* Pre Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept... See More
Early report on Jedediah Smith's explorations in the West...
Item #702738
November 03, 1827
NATIONAL GAZETTE & LITERARY REGISTER, Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1827
* American frontiersman Jedediah Strong Smith
This is one of the desired reports collectors seek in early newspapers, being an early mention of a then-obscure name that would become well-known years later.
Page 2 has over three-quarters of a column taken up with a report of Jedediah Smith, an American transcontinent... See More
Founding the Lick Observatory... Property values in Northern California...
Item #702558
March 01, 1876
WELDON & LEONARD'S REAL ESTATE CIRCULAR & PRICE LIST, San Francisco, California, March 1, 1876
* Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton founding
The ftpg. has: "Another Monument" which begins: "When James Lick executed his deed of gift, donating his immense property to various benevolent & scientific societies of this state, he provided that $750,000 should be ... See More
San Jose California... Woodhull, Claflin & Col. Blood trial...
Item #702556
May 24, 1871
SAN JOSE DAILY PATRIOT, California, May 24, 1871
* Rare Old West title from the Santa Clara Valley
* Victoria Woodhull, Colonel James Harvey Blood, Tennie Claflin scandal
In 1850 San Jose became just the 2nd incorporated city in California (Sacramento was first) & was on the Butterfield mail route. The ftpg. is mostly ads with news items & more ads inside, many of which ... See More
The Apache War in Arizona...
Item #702035
November 08, 1879
THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Nov. 8, 1879
* Apache Wars in the Southwest
* United States Army
The front page has: "The Apache War", with subhead "Victorious Band Overtaken and Whipped in Mexico by Major Morrow's Command" - being a derailed report from Tucson.
Four pages, some archival strengthening at the margins, a bit fragile but in nice condition.
... See More
From a small mining town in Northern California...
Item #702006
May 15, 1880
AMADOR DISPATCH, Jackson, California, May 15, 1880
* Rare old West publication
Jackson was founded in 1848 at a year-round spring, settled by American pioneers and then gold-seekers upon its discovery at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. It was also a convenient stopping place on the road from Sacramento to the southern mines.
Among the articles: "A Leadville Marriage&quo... See More
Pre-Civil War California...
Item #701279
April 08, 1856
EVENING BULLETIN, San Francisco, April 8, 1856
* Very rare old West publication (early)
* Gold rush mining - miners - 49ers era
* Soon after statehood - joining the Union
A large size newspaper with various news of the day. Wide, never-trimmed margins, somewhat crudely rejoined at the spine, tears near margins, irregular at the bottom margin but with no text loss. Folder ... See More
Early from San Diego... Lily Langtry...
Item #701256
December 22, 1881
THE SUN, San Diego, California, Dec. 22, 1881 This is a volume 1 issue of this early newspaper from San Diego. Page 2 has an item beginning: "Mrs. Langtry, the celebrated beauty of London...". This is the famed actress Lily Langtry, who the next year would tour America.
The back page has: "Our Sister Republic - The Mexican Annexation Scheme and its Possibility".
Fo... See More
A newspaper focused on the mining industry...
Item #700921
January 13, 1871
COMMERCIAL HERALD & MARKET REVIEW, San Francisco, Jan. 13, 1871
* Rare old West publication
* California mining industry
The focus of this newspaper seems to be on the mining industry, as some of the articles on just the front page include: "Improved Condition of the Miners as a Class" "The Labor Question" "The Blatchley Rock Drill" "Spread of ... See More
The Modoc Indian War in California...
Item #700707
April 09, 1873
DAILY MORNING CALL, San Francisco, April 9, 1873
* Modoc War - Lava Beds
* Captain Jack fame
The top of the front page has a column headed: "THE MODOCS" "The Commissioners to make One More Effort to Effect a Peace" "Terms, 'Surrender, and Leave the Lava Bed'--Treachery Feared--Hostile Indians Treated Better than Three Who are Friendly--Proposal t... See More
The Modoc Indian War in California...
Item #700705
March 29, 1873
DAILY MORNING CALL, San Francisco, March 29, 1873
* Modoc War - Lava Beds
* Captain Jack fame
The top of the front page has a column headed: "THE MODOCS" "Another Reconnaissance by General Gilles--The Peace Commission Effecting Nothing--The Indians Ready to Make Peace if they Can Have Their Home on Lost River" with further subheads.
The Modoc War was an armed... See More
Great masthead from Oakland in 1884...
Item #700268
July 19, 1884
OAKLAND WEEKLY TRIBUNE, California, July 19, 1884 See the photos for the nice engraving in the masthead, which features a great view of the skyline of Oakland--at that time!
Various news of the day and a wealth of ads. Single-column headings include: ""The Scollard Trial", "For His Life - The Preliminary Struggle om Behalf of George T. Lynch", "Pacific Gro... See More
First federal prosecution for polygamy in Utah Territory... Brigham Young would be next...
Item #699255
November 04, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 4, 1871
* Mormons - Mormonism
* Thomas Sunderland Hawkins
* 1st convicted for polygamy in Utah
Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
The back page has a very significant report on Mormon history. The article is headed: "The Mormon Prosecut... See More
Early from San Diego... Great travelogue: Los Angeles to Anaheim...
Item #699253
November 09, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 9, 1871
* Rare & early from Southern California
Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
The front page has a wonderful and very detailed travelogue-like depot headed: "FROM LOS ANGELES TO ANAHEIM" with subheads: "Off For Anaheim-... See More
Early from San Diego... Apaches to be moved to a reservation...
Item #699252
November 10, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 10, 1871
* Apache Indians of Arizona
* Early Southern California
Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
The front page has: "The Apache Indians" with subheads: "Gen, Schofield to Have Control of the Indians in Arizona--The Apaches ... See More
Early from San Diego... Situation in Arizona...
Item #699250
November 11, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 11, 1871 Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
The front page has: "The Situation In Arizona" with subheads: "The New Indian Policy--Exertions of Gov. McCormick" "Vindication of the People of Arizona" "Protest Against... See More
Issue number one of this San Diego title...
Item #699124
July 25, 1872
DAILY SAN DIEGO WORLD, California, July 25, 1872
* Very rare from Southern California
* Early - volume 1 number 1 issue
This is the earliest of this San Diego title to be found, being the volume one, number one issue. This title only existed through 1877.
Page 2 begins with the "Salutatory" in which the published details the purpose of the new publishing enterprise. ... See More
1875 execution of the bandit Vasquez...
Item #699005
March 20, 1875
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, March 20, 1875
* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit
At the bottom of the front page is: Executions", an inconspicuous report headed: "Last of Vasquez--The Bandit Hanged At San Jose". The report, which describes the execution of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez., states in part: "The bandi... See More
1877 Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #698592
October 27, 1877
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, Oct. 27, 1877
* Wild Old West era
* Rare publication
From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Four pages, nice condition.... See More
This town was founded during the California Gold Rush...
Item #698355
December 02, 1878
THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER, Downieville, California, Dec. 21, 1878
* Rare Old West title
* Gold mining town
* Sierra County
Downieville is a very small town at 3,000 ft. elevation in Northwestern California. It was founded in late 1849 during the California gold rush & was first known as "The Forks" for its location at the confluence of the Downie River and the North Fork o... See More
Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe...
Item #698345
March 24, 1875
TRUCKEE REPUBLICAN, California, March 24, 1875
* Wild Old West
* Uncommon publication
From this town at the "elbow" of California near the Nevada border at an elevation of 5800 ft. Historically well known for the Donner Party tragedy which happened nearby in 1846.
Four pages, some ink stains, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin teras, good condition.... See More
Great article on the Bear Flag Revolt...
Item #698195
June 14, 1879
THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, June 14, 1879
* Rare Old West publication
* Santa Clara Valley
* Nice masthead for display
The masthead notes: "Devoted To The Interests Of The Pioneers of California And the Resources of the Golden State." The masthead is one of the more graphic we have seen, featuring three vignettes: one of settlers traveling, one of a bear, and another... See More
The rare "steamer edition" of an early California newspaper...
Item #698139
October 06, 1856
SAN FRANCISCO HERALD, California, Oct. 6, 1856 A very rare & early newspaper from California as this is the "San Francisco Herald For The Steamer" as noted at the top of pages 2-8, more commonly known as the "steamer edition". Such editions are much more rare than the "regular" editions.
Note that the masthead specifies what the market is for this edition: ... See More
A man with 8 wives...
Item #697953
July 18, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 18, 1868 A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well.
Among the articles: "A Man With Eight Wives Who Does Not Live in Utah" "Lynch Law in Minnesota--Letter From Gov. Marshall" "Letter From Lake Tahoe" & more.
Four pages, a very large size newspaper, never bound nor tr... See More
Very first issue of a California title which existed just five months...
Item #697764
November 09, 1871
GRASS VALLEY REPUBLICAN, Nevada County, California, Nov. 9, 1871
* First issue of a very rare old West publication
This is the volume 1, number 1 issue. The very first published.
Grass Valley, which was originally known as Boston Ravine and later named Centerville, dates from the California Gold Rush. Gold was discovered at Gold Hill in October, 1850 and population grew around the mine.
... See More
How to make a wine market in California...
Item #697337
July 27, 1868
DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 27, 1868 A wide variety of news reports both local and regional and a huge quantity of ads as well. Page 2 has an article: "California Wine--How to Make a Market" which obviously worked out well.
Four pages, a very large size newspaper, never bound nor trimmed, some wear at fold junctures, minor margin tears. The folder size noted is for ... See More
Early & very nice newspaper from San Diego...
Item #697094
October 24, 1871
SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Oct. 24, 1871 Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead.
All pages have various news tidbits of the day, including local, regional, and national reports. A great wealth of advertisements as well, several of which are illustrated.
Complete as a 4 page issue, 12 ... See More
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