Historic Newspapers: Pre-1800 American Titles
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781 The masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 14, 1744 This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 4, 1790 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… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Aug. 29, 1798 Most of the front page is taken up with 3 Acts of Congress, one for: "...the relief of sick and disabled seamen.", each signed in script type by the… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1782
* American Revolutionary War
The front page begins with a lengthy report headed: "Office of Finance" signed by: Robert
THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE and GENERAL ADVERTISER, Portsmouth, Feb. 23, 1782
* Rare publication during Revolutionary War
This is certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1779
* Ethan Allen captivity
* Revolutionary War original
Most of the front page is taken up with an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, prefaced with… more
THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 25, 1781
* Two John Hancock signatures
* Richard Langdon signature (President of Harvard)
A very handsome issue as the masthead… more
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775
* General George Washington
* Named Commander-in-Chief
* Continental Army - British reaction
The front page begins with a nice item from London… more
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, October 11, 1781
* American Revolutionary War original
* American Issac Hayne's execution - hanging
Most of the front page is taken up with various correspondences… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 29, 1776 This remarkably historic Revolutionary War issue contains a wealth of foundational content from the early months of 1876.
Page 2 carries
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 27, 1796 Fully half of the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress which is signed in script type: Go. Washington, and in block type by John Adams. This Act… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Feb. 24, 1776
* Governor John Penn
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
The front page has half a column taken up with 2 desertion reward… more
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 7, 11, 14, and 28, 1790 (a 4-issue set)
* United States Funding Act of 1790
* President George Washington signs
* Also John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
The… more
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Sept. 7, 1796
* 18th century American publication
Published by Isaiah Thomas, perhaps the most famous printer of the 18th century, and whose… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Nov. 14, 1792
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Taking over half of the front page and concluding on page two where it is signed in script type:… more
THE CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Dec. 14, 1795
* President George Washington
* State of the Union Address
Page 3 include the historic annual state-of-the-union address of President George Washington… more
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, December, 1790
* President George Washington
* 2nd State of the Union Address
Certainly the most notable content is the 1 1/2 pages taken up with: "President… more
THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787
* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president
An exceedingly historic issue as this… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 7, 1791
* French Revolution
* Constitution of France
A very notable issue on the French Revolution as the front page begins with: "The French Constitution, Revised,… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, May 5, 1744
* Rare colonial periodical
This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 31, 1798
* Daniel Hewes's Umbrella Manufacturer advertisement
The back page has an advertisement for the: "Boston Umbrella Manufactury" by Daniel Hewes. (see… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Oct. 24, 1798
* The XYZ Affair - France relations
* John Adams & Thomas Jefferson
* Battle if the Nile (Napoleon/Nelson)
The front page has an address: "To John Adams,… more
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… more
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, May, 1789
* President George Washington
* Inauguration - inaugural address
* A detailed eyewitness account
* In a American publication (rare)
Rarel… more
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Oct. 30, 1799 Page 2 has an item noting the France has assured the President that the American envoys will be received to negotiate issues with the… more
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 7, 1790 Taking about a full page of text, including almost all of page 2 is: "An Act making Provision for the Debt of the United States" which is signed… more
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (with Supplement), Williamsburg, Mar. 17, 1775
* Very rare Colonial Virginia publication
* Election of Patrick Henry
This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a… more
THE INDEPENDENT LEDGER & THE AMERICAN ADVERTISER, Boston, Nov. 24, 1783
"One Inflamed Enlightened Heart" patriotic masthead
A very nice feature of this issue is the masthead engraving
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 4, 1793
* Citizen Genet Affair
* Edmond Charles Genet
The front page contains nearly a full column headed: "Official Communications" which has two letters… more
* Extremely rare publication w/ Paul Revere
* Pre American Revolutionary War era
* "Join or Die" snake issue
THE NEW WORLD, Philadelphia, Jan. 16, 1797
* Rare 18th century publication
* President George Washington
A scarce title, and until a recent find, the very first we have offered in our (soon… more
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, July 24, 1776
* News of the Declaration of Independence spreads
* Battle of Sullivan's Island - General Charles Lee
* American Revolutionary War - great year to… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775
* Ethan Allen captured
* American Revolutionary War
The front page includes a letter: "To the King" which references the American… more
THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, April 29, 1778
* The Articles of Confederation (historic)
* American Revolutionary War
This was the very first newspaper in New Jersey, having begun in… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston Sept. 22, 1798
* General - President George Washington
Page 3 has under "Pennsylvania": "A meeting of the deluded citizens of Kentucky, at Lexington...to the… more
THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE, Boston, August, 1795 The bulk of the issue is taken up with a wide range of eclectic articles. Among the articles are: "The Test of Virtue" "Advice to Females on the… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 4, 1789 Mot of page 3 is taken up with reports on the: "Proceedings of Congress" with datlines of April 28, then April 29, under the… more
Lexington & Concord content...
The Conciliatory Resolution plus Congress' response to it... Item # 718011THE NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Sept. 7, 1775
* Lexington & Concord report
* John Hancock type signature
* The Conciliatory Resolution
A very historic issue as… more
THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Dec. 12, 1798
* Lord Horatio Nelson victorious
* Battle of the Nile - Napoleon Bonaparte
* President George Washington
* Masonic - free… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Jan. 2, 1796 Page 2 has a report from the Virginia House of Delegates concerning Washington: "...that the plan contemplated for erecting an University at the Federal… more
THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, Feb. 24, 1796 Page 2 has a letter signed in type by: John Jay, and a report of the arrival of Major-General Anthony Wayne, with a list of 13 toasts.… more
THE NEW YORK JOURNAL & PATRIOTIC REGISTER, New York, June 6, 1792 Page 2 has: "Resolutions Of Irishmen" and pg. 3 has mention of General Anthony Wayne heading west, and that the President has… more
FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 18, 1796
* President George Washington
The back page has an ad for: "Negro Tom" describing: "A Black Man, about 5 feet 6 inches… more
THE NEW WORLD, Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 1797 A quite scarce title, and until a recent find, the very first we have offered in our 44 years. It published for exactly one year. Various news reports and… more
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE, Williamsburg (with Supplement), April 28, 1775 This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to be made since there were three newspapers of this title… more
THE HERALD; A GAZETTE FOR THE COUNTRY, New York, July 15 1795 Page 3 has a report from "Pittsburgh" noting in part: "...accounts from General Wayne's head quarters any Greenville inform us that the… more
COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, March 23, 1796 Fully half of the front page, the two middle columns, are taken up with a lengthy treaty of peace and amity between the United States and Algeria,… more
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