Historic Newspapers: Search Results

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 4, 1863

• 2nd rate

The most desirable print in this issue is the half page: "Raid of Second South Carolina Volunteers (Col. Montgomery) Among the Rice Plantations on the Combahee, S.C."  Although she is not mentioned by name, this was the work of the remarkable Harriet Tubman.

Known as the Combahee River Raid, Harriet Tubman, who had escaped from slavery in 1849 and guided many others to freedom, was working for the Union Army as a spy. The Union ships transported

THE DAILY POST-BOY, London, Aug. 28, 1733

• Forty-three years prior to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War

A fine example of this single sheet issue with the front page having various items from London, and the back page is mostly taken up with advertisements.
Single sheet, 9 by 15 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

Background: The Daily Post-Boy was a British newspaper first published in 1733. It was known for covering a variety of topics including politics, crime, and social events,

THE NEW YORK HERALD, June 17, 1873

• Lebanon, Russell County, Virginia
• Negro Archie Johnson public hanging

The top of page 4 has one column headings: "THE GALLOWS IN VIRGINIA: "Execution of a Negro of Russell County" and more. (see) Text takes up a full column.
Complete in 12 pages, nice condition.

Background: On June 13, 1873, Archie Johnson, a 33-year-old Black man, was executed by public hanging in Lebanon, Virginia, for the murder of John Hurt, a white man. The legal proceedings involved a

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Dec. 30, 1700

• Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
• From the turn of the 18th century
• Unique gift idea for that history buff

This is the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper, having begun in 1665 and is still printing in London to this day. And this is a very early, genuine issue. As was the case with most newspapers of the 17th century, this is complete as a single sheet, measuring 6 1/2 by 10 3/4 inches and printed

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 6, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The Removal of Gen. Butler" "The Affair Off Charleston Harbor" "The Affair at Fort Donelson" "The Rebels Driven in Great Disorder" "The Blockade of Charleston" "They were To Attack the City" "The Defeat of Pryor on the Blackwater" "Rebellion on the Borders of Georgia & North Carolina" "Slaves in the Richmond fortifications" and much ore, plus more inside ask well.
Page 5 has a "Special Notice" noting:

THE POST-BOY, London, Nov. 8, 1720

• Nice masthead engravings
• early 18th century original

One of my favorite 18th century newspapers with the two nice engravings in the masthead, plus the very decorative first letter in the text (see). Various European reports. 
Single sheet, 8 1/2 by 14 1/8 inches, in very nice, displayable condition.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., August 17, 1807

• On the Lewis and Clark expedition
• Book prospectus advertisement

A full column of the back page is taken up with a notice headed: "Proposals, By Conrad, Lucas & Co...For Publishing Lewis and Clark's Tour to the Pacific Ocean, Through the Interior of the Continent of North America." 
This lengthy prospectus announces the proposed publication of Captain Meriwether Lewis's official account of the celebrated expedition of 1804–1806, undertaken

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Aug. 7, 1863  Front page column heads on the Civil War include: "Johnston's Army at Enterprise" "Retreat * Scattering of Rebel Forces" "The Situation at Vicksburg" "Preparations for the Fall Campaign" "The Rebel Force at Fredericksburg" "Moseby Capturing More Sutlers' Wagons" & much more. 
Page 7 has nearly half a column headed: "The Sufferings of the Colored People" which begins: "Men of all creeds & parties are unanimous that the most hideous feature of the late riot was the

HARPER'S MONTHLY, New York, NY, December, 1867

• Lengthy article re: Charles Darwin
• Children's nurseries on Randall's Island w/ illustrations

The two most noteworthy items within this issue are: "DARWIN AND DOMESTICATION" - a 5+ page article regarding Charles Darwin, and "THE NURSERIES ON RANDALL'S ISLAND" - a 16 page article with multiple images providing an abundance of details regarding the activities of the orphanage located on the island.
Other topics with related prints are found throughout.

THE POST BOY, London, Sept. 18, 1716 This was one of the prominent early newspapers published in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
It began publication in 1695, & was a single-sheet folio newspaper, printed on both sides, carrying a mix of foreign news (especially European wars, treaties, and royal affairs), English news, advertisements, & legal notices.
A prime & displayable feature is the ornate, decorative masthead, which includes engravings of a post boy (messenger on

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, Oct., 1776  This issue is filled with a great wealth of notable content concerning the Revolutionary War, however the prime piece here is the nice foldout map titled: "Sketch of the Country Illustrating the late Engagement in Long Island".
The map measures 8 1/4 by 12 1/2 inches & shows the region from Amboy in New Jersey to "Hamsted Plains" and a bit beyond, and north to West Chester & New Rochelle. Points of interest on the map include New Utrecht, Brooklyn,

THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Nov. 25, 1795

• 18th century American publication

Published by Isaiah Thomas, perhaps the most famous printer of the 18th century, and whose collection became the foundation of the American Antiquarian Society. Handsome masthead makes this a displayable newspaper.
Four pages, a little damp staining and rubbing, generally in good condition.

Background: Thomas’s Massachusetts Spy; or, the Worcester Gazette was a fiercely patriotic newspaper founded

HARPER'S WEEKLY (single print), New York, Aug. 26, 1865  This authentic, stand-alone, full-page woodcut engraving features Winslow Homer's sought after "Our Watering Places - The Empty Sleeve at Newport" (showing a Civil War veteran with one arm missing), from an original November 15, 1862 issue of Harper's Weekly.

The artistic significance of this print lies in its subtle, emotionally charged commentary on the immediate post-Civil War era. Published just months after the cessation of

HARPER'S WEEKLY (single print), New York, Nov. 15, 1862  This authentic, stand-alone, full-page woodcut engraving features Winslow Homer's desirable:  "THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC - A SHARP_SHOOTER ON PICKET DUTY", from an original November 15, 1862 issue of Harper's Weekly.

This print is widely acclaimed as Winslow Homer's most famous and important Civil War creation. Sent to the front lines as a special artist for Harper's Weekly, Homer captured a Union sharpshooter perched silently in a pine

HARPER'S WEEKLY (single print), New York, Jan. 25, 1868  This authentic, stand-alone, full-page woodcut engraving features the Winslow Homer illustration, "Winter", which is a desirable ice-skating scene from an original January 25, 1868 issue of Harper's Weekly.

The significance of this print centers on Homer's celebrated series of seasonal and leisure pastimes depicting post-Civil War American life. "Winter" captures a fashionable young woman stepping onto a frozen pond, lace-up skates in

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 29, 1847  The front page has a full column taken up with the detailed report of the: "Army Court Martial" trial of Col. John Fremont, which carries over to page 2 as well.
Fremont was convicted in court-martial for mutiny and insubordination over a conflict of who was the rightful military governor of California. After his sentence was commuted and he was reinstated by President Polk, Fremont resigned from the Army.
Terrific to have this

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 2, 1803  The top of the front page has an historic notice headed: "Louisiana Treaty" announcing the ratification of the treaty by the Senate by which the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory, referred to now as the Louisiana Purchase. It lists the names of the senators who voted against the treaty and those who voted in favor of the treaty.
This report is followed by the text of the: "Treaty Between the United States of America and the French Republic"

NEW JERSEY STATE GAZETTE, Trenton, April 9, 1841  All columns on all 4 pages have wide, black "mourning" rules for the death of President Harrison.
The front page has most of a column headed: "The President's Death" with various details. 
Page 2 has a great wealth on not only the funeral & the funeral procession, but also the details of his death found under: "The Last Hours of Gen. Harrison", with content on page 3 as well.
This is a "2nd rate" newspaper with much wear at folds & margins, with

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, March 7, 1798

• Uncommon 18th century American publication

The capital of the United States was in Philadelphia at this time while the District of Columbia was under construction.
Most of page 2 have a wealth of reporting from Congress. The front page has an ad for a recently published book: "Observations on Certain Documents...The History of the United States for the year 1796, in which the Charge of Speculation Against Alexander

NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, Aug. 14, 1865

• Spiritualism condemned by Orthodox Christians
• Post Civil War reconstruction era religion

The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "Spiritualism vs Orthodoxy" and more. (see images) 
Complete with all 8 pages, uncut and untrimmed, very nice condition.

Backgpound: An original August 14, 1865 issue of Horace Greeley’s New-York Daily Tribune featuring the page 5 article “Spiritualism vs. Orthodoxy” is a notable cultural artifact that captures a critical

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, July 13, 1822

• Denmark Vesey Slaves Rebellion
• Free black man in Charleston SC

The back page has a report of the Denmark Vesey slave revolt, noting that six slaves were executed in Charleston.
The report has a small heading: "South Carolina" and reads: "Six negro men, one of them free, and the rest slaves, were executed at Charleston on the 2nd inst. pursuant to a sentence of death passed on them three or four days before, for being engaged in an attempt to raise

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, Dec. 30, 1871  Inside has a small print of: "England--A Game of Football, the Last Scrimmage", which is rugby. 
The prime print is one of: "Karl Marx, One of the Founders of the 'Internationale' " with an article on him titled: "Dr. Karl Marx. This is a very early American portrait of Karl Marx, and apparently the earliest presently documented portrait of Marx in an American illustrated periodical. This was just seven weeks after the celebrated portrait

HARPER'S WEEKLY (single print), New York, April 26, 1873  This authentic, stand-alone, full-page woodcut engraving features Winslow Homer's powerful illustration, "The Wreck of the 'Atlantic'—Cast Up by the Sea," from an original April 26, 1873 issue of Harper's Weekly.

The significance of this print lies in its visceral depiction of one of the worst maritime disasters of the nineteenth century. On April 1, 1873, the ocean liner RMS Atlantic struck a submerged rock off the coast of Nova

THE NATIONAL ERA, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1853

• Harriet Beecher Stowe
• "Uncle Toms Cabin"
• Anti-slavery publication

This newspaper is forever linked to the best-selling novel of the 19th century: "Uncle Tom's Cabin", for the book was originally released as a 40 week serial in this anti-slavery newspaper beginning in June, 1851. It was the newspaper's publisher who encouraged Stowe to produce the work in book form, and it is common consensus that the book had much to do with popularizing sentiment

NEW YORK HERALD, June 15, 1870

• Cincinnati Red (reds) Stockings
• 84 game baseball win streak ends
• Brooklyn Atlantics

Page 5 has small column heads regarding the defeat of the Cincinnati Red Stockings by the Brooklyn Atlantics, ending their phenomenal 84-game winning streak with: "The National Game" "The 'Red Stockings' Defeated by a Brooklyn Crowd" (see image) Great to have this report in a newspaper from where the event occurred. 
Complete with 12 p[ages, good condition.

Background: On June 14,

KA ELELE (The Messenger). Honolulu, Oahu, Sept. 24, 1846. Buke 2 (Vol. 2), Pepa (no.) 12.   This is an exceptionally scarce original Hawaiian-language newspaper published during the constitutional era of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Edited under the direction of Rev. Richard Armstrong, Ka Elele ranks among the earliest and most important newspapers printed for Native Hawaiian readers. Appearing at a time when Hawaii possessed one of the world's highest literacy rates, the newspaper served as a

THE NEW YORK HERALD, Dec. 6, 1865

• President Andrew Johnson's State of the Union Address
• Expresses deep God-directed gratitude
• Much mention of the loss of Abraham Lincoln

The top of the first column of the front page has a heading: "MESSAGE of the President Of The United States To The Two Houses Of Congress...." Text of the address takes up 5 columns, all on the front page and is signed in type: Andrew Johnson. It includes in part: "To express gratitude to God in the name of the people for the

NEW YORK HERALD,  Sept. 6, 1863

• Tennessee Map - Kingston
• Charleston, South Carolina

The front page is dominated by a large Civil War map headed: "ALL TENNESSEE REDEEMED. The Capture of Kingston--Chattanooga & Knoxville Outflanked...".
Various column heads on the Civil War as well including: "Charleston" "The Rebels Have Fifteen-Inch Guns" "General Foster's Department"  "Gallant & Successful Charges Upon the Enemy" and more.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

THE WEEKLY RECORDER, Chillicothe, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1815  Page 7 has a report from Saint Louis: "The Treaty with 3 reports mostly concerning the Indians, one item noting: "...from Gen. Jackson bringing...a letter to Gov. Clark advising him that he only awaits the signal to order a competent force from Tennessee and Kentucky to quiet our frontier...".
The back page has a report headed: "Shocking Massacre". The report describes the 1811 destruction of the American fur-trading ship Tonquin, owned by

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 22, 1871

• Death of Charles Babbage - English polymath
• "The father of the Computer" inventor

Among the many front page reports is a very small, inconspicuous, and seemingly innocuous report of the death of a man named Charles Babbage. But there is much significance to this man.

Charles Babbage was an English mathematician, inventor, and mechanical engineer whose designs anticipated the fundamental principles of the modern computer nearly a century before electronic computing

NEW YORK TIMES, March 10, 1864  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "Important From Richmond" "Highly Interesting Accounts of the Great Raid" "The Manner of Col. Dahlgren's Death and the Capture of His Men" "Confinement of the Prisoners in Dungeons and in Irons" "Their Promopt Execution Demanded" "The War In West Virginia" and much more.
Other news of the day and period advertising is found throughout.
Eight pages, uncut and untrimmed, good condition.

PUNCHINELLO, New York, Aug. 27, 1870  This is the 22nd issue of this famous title known for its satirical content directed at the various social and political issues of the day. Inspired by the English publication Punch, it existed only from April 2 to December 14, 1870.

The magazine was founded by former editors of Vanity Fair, which went out of business in 1863. They found four investors willing to provide $5000 each—though they did not disclose that they included robber baron Jay Gould,

THE NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 24, 1863

• Return of General Meade
• Affairs at Vicksburg

• Battle at Bristoe Station

The front page has: "Particulars of the Fight at Colliersville" "Affairs In And About Vicksburg" "The Recent Army Movements in Virginia" "The Battle At Bristoe Station" "CHATTANOOGA" "Changes Of Rebel Generals" "The Army Of The Potomac" "Return Of General Meade to His Command" and much more. 
Complete in 8 pages, good condition.

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 24, 1770

• The Boston Massacre
• Historic reporting

This is simply a terrific issue as it gives an excellent account of the Boston Massacre as taken from the "Boston Gazette" newspaper of March 12, 1770, the issue so famous that it was reprinted due to its excellent account of this, one of the most famous events of the 18th century, and a catalyst for action which would result in the Revolutionary War.
The report begins: "On the evening of Monday, being the 5th

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, New York, Dec. 2, 1868

• Selfridge's Patent Washington Machine
• 19th century Industrial Revolution

The front page features "Reynolds' Steam Condensing and Water Elevating Engine". Inside the issue are: "Selfridge's Patent Washing Machine"; "Gear's Variety Planing and Molding Machine"; "Hattan's Patent Fireplace"; "Dimock's Thermo-Annuciator"; and additional illustrations, articles and advertisements.
Complete in sixteen pages and in nice condition.

Background: Patented and

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, Nov. 3, 1862

• The African American Delegation to Abraham Lincoln
• Free Negroes - black colonization in Washington D.C. ?

The most noteworthy article is found on page 4 headed: "Free Colored Emigrants" which is a letter from free Washington, D.C. blacks to President Abraham Lincoln in which they plead that he follow-through on his promise to provide, upon his own recommendation made in August, a new homeland in South America.
The letter includes in part: "Many of us, acting

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, August 10, 1776

• Great year to have (1776)
• re. Declaration of Independence
• American Revolutionary War

This was a decidedly Tory newspaper, supportive of the British efforts in America. This newspaper ended publication in June, 1778 when the British evacuated the city. This issue was printed less than a month after it printed the Declaration of Independence (July 13 issue).
The front page includes an ad for the reprinting of a pamphlet titled: "American

NEW YORK TIMES, June 27, 1861

• President Abraham Lincoln receives
• Honorary degree from Columbia College
• Pre Battle of Bull Run - Manassas, Virginia

Page 4 has a great article: "Abraham Lincoln, LL.D." which begins: "The Trustees of Columbia College, at their Annual Commencement...most happily struck the chord of public feeling, by conferring on Abraham Lincoln the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws...", an interesting fact unknown to many.
Among the front page one column heads on the Civil War are:

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 3, 1863

• Mormons - Mormonism - LDS
• Salt Lake City, Utah immigration

Page 2 has most of a column taken up with: "Affairs In Utah - Fatal Adventures with Grizzly Bears--The Peach Crop--Arrival of Saints--Miscellaneous News" with a dateline from "Salt Lake City".
The report begins with much detail concerning encounters with grizzly bears. Further on is: "...Capts. Patterson's, Sanders' and Preston's companies of Mormon immigrants have arrived...The immigrants report that the

NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 28, 1863  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "Department Of The Gulf" "Encouraging Prospects in Texas" "Gen. Washburn Moving Upon Indianola & Lavacca" "The Navigation of the Mississippi Less Interrupted" "The Free State Convention" "From Fortress Monroe" "The Army Of The Potomac "The Arizona Expedition" and more. 
War-related content inside as well, including a lengthy article: "Negro Equality in the South".
Eight pages, great condition.

NEW YORK TIMES, March 15, 1862  The front page features a very large Civil War map headed: "THE FIELD OF OPERATIONS FROM TENNESSEE TO THE GULF OF MEXICO" with the other heading noting: "Map Showing the Entire Line of Gen. Halleck's Action in Tennessee & the Gulf States, from Memphis to Knoxville, from Nashville to New Orleans and Fort Pickens---Showing, also, all the Railroads Intersecting the Country, and the Entire Military Line of the Mississippi River." 
But perhaps the most interesting

THE WORLD, New York City, April 27, 1869

• Spirit photography - ghosts
• William H. Mumler fraud trial

The top of the front page has one column headings that include: "'SPIRIT' PHOTOGRAPHY" "Continuation of the Case Against Mumler" "Experts Show how Spirit Photographs can be Taken" and more with loads of testimony. Lengthy report continues on page 2 for a total of about 3 1/3 columns of text.
Complete with 8 pages, a little irregular along the spine, nice condition.

Background: In 1869, William H.

NEW YORK WORLD, Feb. 12, 1862  The front page has: "Important Resolutions Of Senator Sumner", which is followed by the full text of his historic series of resolutions outlining what quickly became known as his radical "State Suicide Theory."

Alongside this landmark constitutional argument, the issue features ongoing reports and official dispatches from the front lines of the American Civil War which help to provide context. The front page column heads on the Civil War are: "The War In

NEW YORK TIMES, May 31, 1862

• Siege of Corinth, Mississippi
• Confederate states Civil War map

The front page features a very nice map headed: "RETREAT OF THE REBEL ARMY FROM CORINTH" with the map showing from New Orleans to Memphis, to Pensacola.
Among the front page column heads on the Civil War: "ANOTHER TRIUMPH" "Corinth in Possession of Gen. Halleck" "Important Events Proceeding the Evacuation" "Heavy Fighting & Important Positions Gained" "Retreat of the Rebels & Occupation of Corinth by Our

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 1862  Page 2 of this issue features a report titled "THE LATE BURNING AT HARPER'S FERRY," detailing the destruction of portions of the town by Union forces. Page 3 carries a report on the "BRILLIANT SUCCESS OF GENERAL BURNSIDE'S EXPEDITION," with subheads including "Two Thousand Prisoners Taken" and "Elizabeth City Burnt By The Rebels," providing detailed coverage of the North Carolina campaign.

The historical interest of this issue lies

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 1849  Over two columns on page 2 are taken up with an excellent and very detailed letter headed: "Diluvial Gold Deposits of California". It begins: "The excitement of the public mind, growing out of the discovery of native gold in the diluvial deposits of California, will, I trust, furnish an apology for the present communication....". The letter has a wealth of information on the gold deposits, less than half of which is seen in the photos.
The

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 27, 1779

• American Revolutionary War
• General George Washington
• Exchange of prisoners talks

The front page begins with two detailed reward ads for deserted soldiers.

One-third of the front page and over one-third of page 2 are taken up with the: "Report of Commissioners for Settling a Cartel for the Exchange of prisoners" this being addressed: "To his Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, General and Commander in Chief of all

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781

• American Revolutionary War
• Post Surrender of Cornwallis
• Loyalist James Rivington

The masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document inscribed "Independence" while standing beneath a banner inscribed "Appeal To Heaven" and surrounded by ornate embellishments.

The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are taken up with: "The Revolution of America, by the

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 4, 1790

• President George Washington
• Act of Congress script signed
• Tonnage Act of 1790 - shipping

Almost a full column is taken up with an Act of Congress, headed with an engraving of a heraldic eagle, this is: "An Act Imposing Duties on the Tonnage of Ships or Vessels" which is signed in script type (desired) by the President: George Washington. Rarely is his full name spelled out in such documents.
Four pages, some some foxing and damp stain to the upper right,

NEW YORK HERALD, April 25, 1865

• Abraham Lincoln assassination
• Remains arrive in New York City
• Civil War closing events

All columns on all 8 pages are black-bordered in memory of Abraham Lincoln. Two-thirds of the first column are taken up with nice heads concerning the funeral of Abraham Lincoln including: "HONORS To the MARTYR PRESIDENT" "Our Tribute to the Lamented Dead" "Arrival of the Cortege" "The Body In State" "The Procession to the City Hall" "Scene of Sadness & Sorrow" "Incidents of the