THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, Feb. 2, 1925  This could be the ultimate Iditarod newspaper, reporting on this historic and heroic serum run to Nome, Alaska.

This 1925 event, also known as the Great Race of Mercy, was a transport of diphtheria antitoxin by dog sled relay across the territory of Alaska by 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs across 674 miles in 5½ days, saving the small town of Nome and the surrounding communities from a developing epidemic of diphtheria.

Both the mushers and their dogs were portrayed as heroes in the newly popular medium of radio and received headline coverage in newspapers across the United States. Balto, the lead sled dog on the final stretch into Nome, became the most famous canine celebrity of the era after Rin Tin Tin.
The famous Iditarod Race began in 1973 and continues to this day.
The large and bold banner headline reads like a movie pop newspaper, announcing: "ANTITOXIN REACHES NOME FTER HEROIC STRUGGLE' with a subhead: "Relief For Epidemic Arrives In City". A front page drawing of Leonard Seppella, who played a pivotal role in the serum run. The dog photo could well be the famed Balto but is not identified. The report carries over to page 2.
Complete in 26 pages, 4 small binding holes at the blank spine, very nice condition.