Historic Newspapers: Search Results

INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, June 18, 1798

* Nice masthead engraving
* 18th century America

If you are looking for a handsome American newspaper of the 1700's which is displayable & priced reasonably, this is one of the best. This title features one of the more decorative mastheads of the era.
Complete in 4 pages, never-trimmed margins, some tiny binding holes along the spine, a little light foxing, two small, darker stains on the back page, generally in very…

THE BOSTON INVESTIGATOR, Boston, Massachusetts, 1880-1882  A newspaper which holds the distinction of being the first American newspaper dedicated to the philosophy of freethought. Each issue has a highly displayable graphic masthead which includes the text: Truth, Perseverance, Union, Justice - The Means, Happiness the End, Hear All Sides - Then Decide, with various depictions of books labelled, Hume, Voltaire, Jefferson, Paine, Ingersoll, Volney, and two others we have yet have confidence as…

THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, May 31, 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 of a detailed mining scene.
The front page has a lengthy & descriptive article: "The Bear Flag War--Its…

THE PIONEER, San Jose, California, May 24, 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 of a detailed mining scene.
The front page has a lengthy & descriptive article: "The Bear Flag War--Its…

COLUMBIAN CHRONICLE, Philadelphia, Feb. 2, 1813

* Great heraldic eagle masthead engraving

 Woodcuts of heraldic eagles in mastheads are somewhat common and are always an attractive feature of such newspapers. But this title offers an engraving far beyond the ordinary. The wingspread on this eagle measures 6 3/4 inches, the largest eagle we have seen in an early newspaper. 
As such this title is collectable for the masthead engraving alone, however it has War of 1812 content as well (see…

JOHN BULL, London, October 5, 1823

* Unusual masthead that features the Holy Bible
* Uncommon title

The unusual masthead of this title features an engraving of a crown place upon the Holy Bible. Beneath the engraving are the words: "For God, The King, And The People!"

This has all ads on the front page, some commentary & the proceedings of Parliament, and more ads.

Measures about 16 1/4 by 11 1/4 inches, 8 pgs., has a light red-inked tax stamp in the lower right margin. Occasional…

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1850-1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more decorative mastheads  of the era.  Four pages, some fold wear, edge tears, etc.  All issues are complete and are offered at a significant discount over their single issue price. The image shown is an example of the look and condition of a typical paper from this lot.  Actual issues vary within the…

THE WASHINGTONIAN, Windsor, Vermont, July 20, 1812  

* Nice masthead for display

The dominant feature of this issue is the very displayable masthead, featuring a large engraving of a heraldic eagle with an 11-inch banner. Although we once had many of this title, this is one of our last.
Printed during the early months of the War of 1812, it is not surprising that pages 2, 3 & 4 have some war-related reports.
Four pages, a few minor binding slots at the blank spine, very nice condition.

AMERICAN RAILROAD JOURNAL, New York  

* Very early & rare railroad periodical
* Trains - locomotives - lot of 6 issues

This title was the very first American periodical on railroading. Offered here is a lot of 6 issues from its earliest years, showing the change in title and masthead engravings during a brief 16-month period.
The lot begins with vol. 1 number 1 dated Jan. 2, 1832; Oct. 6, 1832; Nov. 10, 1832; Nov. 17, 1832; Dec. 8, 1832; and April 4, 1833.
Note that the title changes…

THE BATTERY, Washington, July 13, 1848  

* President Zachary Taylor
* Rare campaign publication
* Nice masthead for display

This was a campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President and Millard Fillmore for Vice President. And it is the volume 1, number 2 issue.
In the era before radio, television, and the internet it was not uncommon for political parties to create short-lived newspapers to support their candidate and publicize their political platform. Such newspapers…

THE LONDON COURANT, England, July 25, 1746  

* Jacobite Rebellion era
* Nice masthead engravings

The masthead features two engravings, one showing a sailing ship and the other a post-boy 'trumpeting' the news.
Various news from Europe with most of the back page taken up with advertisements.
Complete as a single sheet issue, the margins appear to have been hand-trimmed close to the text but not touching any letters, damp staining at the top, minimal rubbing to the front page.

THE BATTERY, Washington, Aug. 10 1848  

* Great political themed masthead engraving
* Supporting Zachery Taylor for president

This was a campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President and Millard Fillmore for Vice President.
In the era before radio, television, and the internet it was not uncommon for political parties to create short-lived newspapers to support their candidate and publicize their political platform. Such newspapers were short-lived; once the election was…

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Aug. 13, 1859 

* Rare publication w/ great masthead

This newspaper has one of most ornate mastheads including an illustration of a battleship with maritime symbols bordering the front page.
Among the prints are: "The Late War---French Troops Crossing Mount Cenis" "The Late Prince Metternich" "The Late War in Italy--View of Novara" "London & Paris Fashions for August" and more.
Eight pages, nice condition.

LUTHERAN OBSERVER, Phila., Oct. 26, 1877. Has two mastheads, one for the section containing religious-related content, and the other for the section containing secular news and content. First leaf has an archival mend in the right margin, small address label in the second masthead, minor edge wear, otherwise in good, uncut condition.

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 16, 1859 

* Rare title w/ great masthead

This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
The front page has a wonderful naval print captioned: "The War In Italy--Capture of Austrian Merchantmen by the Boats of the French Squadron".
Other prints include: "The Late Austrian Field-Marshal Radetsky" "Bass Fishing" "London & Paris Fashions for July" and:…

MIDDLESEX GAZETTE, Middletown, Connecticut, 1826 Not only is this a nice, "newsy" newspaper from the early part of the 19th century, but perhaps the best feature of this issue is the very handsome masthead which includes nice lettering and a large engraving of a heraldic eagle with sunrays emanating behind it, making it a nice candidate for display. Many of the ads are illustrated as well. Complete in 4 pages, folio size, some scattered foxing, generally in very nice condition. Rarely…

THE NORFOLK CHRONICLE; OR NORWICH GAZETTE, England, March 3, 1810  

* Rare early 19th century publication

A typical newspaper of the day with mostly British news items & the front page filled with advertisements. Full red tax stamp in the masthead and a nice engraving of the coat-of-arms in the masthead as well.
Four pages, nice condition.

Background: The Norfolk Chronicle; or Norwich Gazette was a weekly newspaper published in Norwich, England, beginning in the late 18th century and…

THE WEEKLY ITHACAN, Ithaca, New York, September 30, 1881 

* Uncommon title from Ithaca, New York 
* Decorative masthead 

This issue has an intriguing and ornate masthead, which I suspect shows the campus of Cornell University.

News of the day with many ads. Complete in 8 pages, never bound nor trimmed, mild wear at margins.

UNITED STATES CATHOLIC INTELLIGENCER, Boston, Massachusetts, 1832

* Rare & early Catholic religion newspaper
* Huge masthead with a heraldic eagle

This rather rare title lasted for just one year, having begun in October, 1831 and ending in September, 1832. The issue is a "vol. III" issue as this publication was preceded by one titled "Jesuit, or Catholic Sentinel" and they kept the same volume numbering. It was also, curiously superseded by the same title as well.
Its most striking feature is the…

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 16, 1859 

* Rare title w/ great masthead

This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
The front page has a wonderful naval print captioned: "The War In Italy--Capture of Austrian Merchantmen by the Boats of the French Squadron".
Other prints include: "The Late Austrian Field-Marshal Radetsky" "Bass Fishing" "London & Paris Fashions for July" and:…

COLUMBIAN CHRONICLE, Philadelphia, July 5, 1811 

* Great heraldic eagle masthead engraving

See the photo for perhaps the largest heraldic eagle engraving to be found in a masthead, the wingspan stretching nearly 7 inches. The ftpg. has various "Foreign Intelligence" including: "Confirmation of Massena's Defeat" with more news & ads inside.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, very nice condition & quite displayable.

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, April 9, 1859  Talk about an ornate masthead--see the photos for not only one of the larger mastheads, but one of the most ornate and handsome to be had of the 19th century. Nice & quite large illus. of a 3 masted ship, with other embellishments.
This issue has many tears at the edge, a few extending into the prints or text, but fortunately no loss on the front page. The back leaf has a piece mising and a tear completely thru the middle.
An…

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1850-1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more decorative mastheads  of the era. 
Four pages, some fold wear, edge tears, etc.  All issues are complete and are offered at a significant discount over their single issue price. The image shown is an example of the look and condition of a typical paper from this lot.  Actual issues vary within the…

THE PUBLIC HERALD, Philadelphia, August, 1886  Printed in the masthead is: "Truth and Justice the Foe of Fraud and Corruption" with the interesting masthead engraving showing the "eye of truth" shining upon a devil.
Sixteen pages, 11 1/4 by 15 1/2 inches, a small hole in the front & back leaves, good condition.

NOTTINGHAM JOURNAL, England, July 7, 1810  

* Nice masthead engraving for display

Perhaps the finest feature is the beautiful masthead, with very ornate lettering and a handsome engraving as the central feature. Also a partial red tax stamp at the top. 
Four pages, great condition.

SUNDAY TIMES, N.Y., 1849-1852 The photo shows the very nice masthead of this title which measures 15 1/2 inches across and is 3 inches tall. Mostly topical reports and literary-related content, some ads.
Some lite staining, a little foxing, and a few small margin tears, but in overall average or better condition.
The issue you receive will differ in date and content from the one shown, but it will be similar and will have the displayable masthead.

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1854 and 1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more decorative mastheads  of the era. 
Four pages, some fold wear, edge tears, etc.  All issues are complete and are offered at a significant discount over their single issue price. The image shown is an example of the look and condition of a typical paper from this lot.  Actual issues vary within…

THE KNAPSACK, New York, Nov. 27, 1879 

* Civil War veterans

Described in the masthead as: "A Daily Journal Of The Seventh Regiment New Armory Fair", this very short-lived publication lasted for just 18 issues, likely the length of the fair which supported the interests of veterans of the Civil War.
Its best feature may well be the beautiful & ornate masthead which has a distinctly military theme, showing a Civil War-era knapsack with other military accouterments.
The content has much…

NEW HAMPSHIRE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, Manchester, July 2, 1862 

* Great masthead engraving 

The title reflects the theme of this issue, being primarily a farming-related newspaper with agricultural concerns taking much of the front page and some inside space as well. However Civil War reporting is found on pages 2 & 3 with a review of the week's battle events and military concerns.
Of added significance is the large and very decorative masthead engraving (see photos) which includes a…

THE FLORIDA DISPATCH, Jacksonville, July 18, 1887  Noted in the masthead: "Official Organ Of The Florida Fruit Growers' Assoc. & the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Protective Assoc." with the content, and the ads, focused on such.
Handsome masthead, 20 pages, 10 1/4 by 13 1/4 inches, small binding slits at the spine, nice condition.

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1850-1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more decorative mastheads of the era.  Four pages, some fold wear, edge tears, etc.  All issues are complete and are offered at a significant discount over their single-issue price. The image shown is an example of the look and condition of a typical paper from this lot.  Actual issues vary within the date…

DER BEOBACHTER (The Observer), Germany, Feb. 25, 1935  Obviously a newspaper of the Nazi party as the masthead includes 3 swastika symbols (see).
Complete in 12 pages, 12 by 18 1/4 inches, cleanly cut at the blank spine, a little margin wear, otherwise quite nice.

KENTISH GAZETTE, Canterbury, England, 1795  We seldom have titles to offer from Canterbury, and this newspaper has one of the more decorative & beautiful mastheads of the era. Note the two very detailed engravings on either side, one of which is the fabled Canterbury Cathedral. A coat-of-arms in the middle, with very ornate lettering for 'Kentish Gazette'.
A fine issue of this title, complete in 4 pages, very nice, clean condition, with typical news & ads of the day.

INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Aug. 7, 1794  See the handsome masthead of this newspaper. Page 3 has: "Concorde Frigate" and another report being a letter from a person on board the Concorde.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, somewhat irregular at the margins, nice condition.

PORCUPINE'S GAZETTE, Philadelphia, March 14, 1798  This was William Cobbett's important and controversial--but short-lived--daily newspaper.
Cobbett was a prolific & controversial publisher who often wrote under the pen-name of "Peter Porcupine." Note the engraving of a porcupine in the masthead. He was famous for sniping at his political opponents, usually those of a Jeffersonian-Republican sentiment. The first issue appeared on March 4, 1797 and the newspaper lasted but 770 issues.
Four…

VERMONT RECORD, Brattleboro, Nov. 24, 1865

* Civil War reconstruction era

This has one of the more ornate & decorative engravings we have seen in a masthead from the period. A broad mix of content including: "Judge Redfield on Negro Suffrage" and "The Approaching Pestilence".
Sixteen pages, 10 1/2 by 14 inches, never-trimmed margins, good condition.

THE MILLERS JOURNAL, New York, February 28, 1875  This has a subtitle "Hydraulic Engineer" and features a very graphic and displayable masthead as it features a grindwheel, waterwheel, barrels, ships, grains, and windmill. The issue features articles, some with illustrations and numerous advertisements.

Complete in eight pages, uncut, with scattered lite foxing, never bound, in good condition.

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Dec. 25, 1858  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative & patriotic border around all pages.
The front page has a nice print captioned: "An Allegorical Picture of Christmas". Among prints inside is: "The American Steamer Savannah, the First Ocean Steamship"
Eight pages, nice condition.

POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL REGISTER, Philadelphia, Aug. 23, 1811  If nothing else, this somewhat uncommon title has a very nice masthead, featuring a 3-masted ship at its center.
Inside pages have various news reports from Europe and the United States. A wealth of advertisements as well, including 11 illustrated ship ads on the front page.
Four pages, nice condition.

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Aug. 6, 1859  This title has one of the more beautiful & ornate mastheads of the 19th century, plus each page is bordered with an anchor & chain devise.
The front includes a print of: "The Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, Mass." with text as well, the oldest public museum in the United States in continuous operation.
The back page has a large print of the "National Monument to the Forefathers", dedicated a few days previous to this issue, but was not…

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 30, 1859  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
The front page has a print of : "General Forey...Receiving the Congratulations of His Troops After the Battle" of Montebello. Also a print of: "the Late Hon. Rufus Choate".
Other prints inside: "View of Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor" "Attack on a Whale By a Sword Fish" and: "Glen Mary, Portage, New York,…

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Aug. 13, 1859  This newspaper has one of most ornate mastheads including an illustration of a battleship with maritime symbols bordering the front page.
Among the prints are: "The Late War---French Troops Crossing Mount Cenis" "The Late Prince Metternich" "The Late War in Italy--View of Novara" "London & Paris Fashions for August" and more.
Eight pages, nice condition.

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 23, 1859  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
The front page has a nice print of the: "City of Naples, and Mount Vesuvius".
Other prints include: "Ferdinand II, the Late King of the Two Sicilies" "Occupation of Casteggio by the French Army after the Battle of Montebello" "Bringing in the Wounded After the Battle of Montebello" and "Francis Platz at…

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 2, 1859  The front page has print of: "Marshal Randon, the New French Minister of War" as well as a print showing: "French & Sardinian Soldiers Singing Martial Songs Through the Streets of Turin".
A large print inside shows: "Costumes of the Austrian Army".
Eight pages, ornate masthead features a large engraving of ship, with nice embellishments in the margins, nice condition.

MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, July 14, 1911 

* Rare from the Rocky Mountains

One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
Page 3 has part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
 The volume one, number 2 issue, 16 pages, 9 by 12 inches, printed on glossy stock newsprint, nice condition.

MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN, Denver, Colorado, Sept. 22, 1911  One of the few newspapers we have seen which has a photograph in the masthead, in this case a photo of the Rocky Mountains.
The front page is part of a continuing article: "Denver's Assets" with a photo.
A volume one issue, 16 pages, 9 by 12 inches, printed on glossy stock newsprint, nice condition.

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 Grove", and more. See images for details.
Complete in ten pages, some light browning and small edge-tears - typical for an "Old West"…