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Period reference to the Great Plague in Europe...
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Period reference to the Great Plague in Europe...

Item # 716856 ·

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Sept. 27, 1666  This is the oldest continually published English language newspaper in the world, having begun in 1665 and is still printing today. Obviously this is a very early issue, being issue #90.
This was the time of the Great Plague which was ravishing much of Europe, England being no exception.
The back page has a report from the Hague which makes reference to it with: "Our fleet still keeps the sea, though at the present in an ill condition by reason of the Sickness that is got amongst them; in a week's space they have sent off two ships full of dead and sick men into Zealand, the Infection being much spread. DeRuyter is not yet past danger, but will not remove from his ship for fear of causing a disorder amongst the seamen, who are apt to suspect the worst." 
It is rare to find mention of the Great Plague in period newspapers. Indeed, very few newspapers existed in Europe in 1666.
Complete as a single sheet issue, 7 by 11 1/4 inches, very nice condition.

Item from our most recent catalog - #371 - released for October, 2026

Price
$135
100% Authentic: Original printing, never a reproduction.