Historic Newspapers: Ballooning - Flight

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, September, 1784  

* HMS Resolution - Royal Navy
* Captain James Cook
* Third Voyage - Gulf of Alaska
* Early ballooning flight - Montgolfier

There is a nice article: "On the General Post Office & Postage of Letters" with a chart of the various rates and small engravings of cancellations & free postage, franking notations.
There is a nice letter concerning early hot air balloon flight, which includes: "...A new set of words is wanting to express the…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1784  Among the articles are: "Remarks in a Voyage to Jersey" and so much more.
Near the back  is half a page of: "Advices From America which has news items datelined from Philadelphia, Albany and Montreal, the former dealing with treaties with the Indians, etc.
There is also a full page headed: "Aerostation" which reports on various balloon flights from this early period in manned flight. It includes mentions of both Mr. Blanchard and Montgolfier.
One…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 6, 1785  

* Early ballooning - aviation pioneer
* Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier

Page 5 has a paragraph on one of the pioneers of manned flight, noting: "The famous M. Pilastre de Rozier, after having in vain waited...for a favourable wind to waft him & his balloon to the British shore, has given up all thoughts of such an aerial navigation, at least till the end of winter...".
de Rozier would make the winter attempt to cross the English Channel but…

THE MORNING POST, AND DAILY ADVERTISER, London, April 19, 1790 

* Jean-Pierre Blanchard 
* Ballooning 

A very nice full folio-size newspaper of 4 pages with the entire front page taken up with ads. Pages 2 & 3 have various news of the day with the back page having mostly ads.
Page 3 has a report on Jean-Pierre Blanchard planning a balloon flight.
Nice condition.

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1793

* George Washington re-election
* Botany Bay - Australia

There are several items of interest, one of which is several pages on the: "Minutes of the Proceedings of the National Convention of France" with much text on what should be the fate of Louis XVI.
This is followed by: "The Last Will and Testament of His Late Most Christian Majesty" which has near the beginning: "In the name of the Holy Trinity...This day, Dec. 21, 1792, I Louis…

NATIONAL GAZETTE & LITERARY REGISTER, Philadelphia, Oct. 18, 1820  Page 3 has a interesting article: "The Deaf & Dumb Fond of Music" being a letter about a musical artist born deaf and dumb (see). Page 3 also has an article on: "Mr. Guille's Ascension" in a balloon.
Four pages, nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 15, 1849  Page 3 has a wonderful and more than full column report headed: "Internal Route to California" which begins with a letter written by 3 men datelined at Independence, Mo., concerning the best route to California.
The majority of the article is taken up with a very lengthy & detailed: "Answer of Col. Gilpin" datelined from Jackson County, Missouri, which begins: "You are correct...in anticipating an immense conflux of emigration…

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, April 30, 1853  Formatted much like Harper's Weekly, but published 4 years previous to the more famous title. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication as noted on one of the back pages.
The front page has a nice print of: "Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna" with a related article. Prints within include: "Meeting in the African Church, Cincinnati, Ohio" "Washington' Rock, Somerset County, New Jersey" "Asher Durand, President of the National Academy of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 30, 1857  Front page includes a 1/3 page illustration featuring a nice view of the town of: 'Concord, New Hampshire'. Several illustrations from "The Rebellion in Borneo - A British Walker" including: 'Drying the heads of their enemies' over a fire. Two half-page illustrations entitled: 'Chinese War Junks' and 'Announcing to a Mandarin a Defeat of the Imperial Troops'. 'Doctor Rae and the New Arctic Expedition" and has a 1/4 page illustration of 'Doctor Rae'.
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 25, 1857  The front page features "The Travel Notes in Bible Lands" with a half page illustration 'Pool of Bethesda' and smaller illustration 'Pillar of Absalom'. Full page of text with 5 illustrations on: 'New Holland Pippins' with a view of the 'Country House Near Sydney, New Holland' and one of 'Kangaroos'. An article entitled "Going to Europe" with several small illustrations.
Two nice pages of text with 13 illustrations of 'About Flying Machines' showing a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 12, 1857  Featured is a fine, front page print plus an article on: "The New York Stock Board In Session", an early graphic on the Stock Exchange.
Prints within include: "Barth's Travels in North and Central Africa" features 6 prints; "Flirtation at Newport" article features eight small prints; "Dr. Douglass,Home the American Spiritualist in Paris"is a full page article with a print of him.
Also a half-page print: "Steam-Plowing with Boydell's Steam-Horse…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 20, 1858  Full front page illustration entitled: 'The Washington Monument at Richmond, Virginia'. Nice half page 'Ottawa City, the New Capital of Canada'. "The Old Lull House" article also features a 1/4 page illustration of the same. "Native Life In India" features three illustrations. A full page illustration 'The Last Ball of the Season' and two half page scenes "The Gentlemen's Dressing-Room" and "The ladies' Dressing-Room". 'The War In Mexico' also…

NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, September 24, 1858

* Silas Brooks - ballooning
* Children stuck in basket

The front page has an article headed: "Thrilling Incident" "Two Children Carried Off By A Balloon" "Later--The Balloon Found--The Children Rescued Asleep" See images for text here.
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, a little spine wear, otherwise very nice condition.

source: Lawrence S. Carleton: A heart-stopping incident occurred on Friday, September 17, 1858 in Centralia,…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 2, 1858  Full front page illustration shows: "Launch of the 'General Admiral', the Largest Wooden Ship in the World, From the Ship-Yard of W. H. Webb, of New York". 'A Trip to Niagara Falls' includes 12 illustrations. Somber back page cartoon: 'The Quarantine Question'
Also an article "A Man Lost in the Clouds" features an illustration "The Aeronaut Thurston Carried Off on the Balloon"
complete in 16 pages, in good condition as shown and contains additional…

NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, March 9, 1859

* Ira J. Thurston body found
* Aeronaut - ballooning accident

The front page has a small article headed: "Discovery of the Remains of Mr. Thurston, the Aeronaut" (see)
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, minor spine wear, nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 30, 1859 Halfpg: 'Proposed Balloon Railway Up Mt. Rhigi, Switzerland'. Nice fullpg: 'May-Day In The City'. Also a full page Winslow Homer print: "May Day In The Country". Additional illustrations, articles and advertisements.
Complete in sixteen pages.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 18, 1859 Two front 1/4 page illustrations of "General Garibaldi" and "Garibaldi's Chasseurs of the Alps." are featured on the front page. Inside pertaining to "The War in Europe" including "The French Army Marching Through a Sardinian Fortified Place Toward the Austrian Lines" and "The Emperor of Austria and His Generals."
Four large illustrations pertaining to "The Great Balloon Voyage from St. Louis to New York" including: "The "Atlantic" Balloon in which the…

NEW-YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, Aug. 9, 1859 Back page has: Narrative Of Professor Wises 231st Aerial Voyage Made from St. Louis, Mo., July 30, 1859, accompanied by his son, Chas. E. Wise. Also has: Blondins Greatest Feat He Stands On His Head re. his third tight rope performance above the Niagara River. Both are quite detailed. Other news of the day includes: "THE NEW SLAVE-TRADE" "The Kansas Gold Mines" "Another Cargo of Slaves Landed" and much more. 8 pages in nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, August 13, 1859  A nice front page illustration 'The Scene of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Utah Territory' with article as well. Nice full page with 3 illustrations of: 'The Pike's Peak Gold Mines'. A full page illustration of "The 'Battle of Magenta' at Jones's Wood, New York". A full page illustration is comprised of two half-page illustrations "The White Mountains - The Ride" and "The White Mountains - All Aboard!". This issue also contains a serialized portion…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 3, 1859 Nice front page article and illustration: "Interview Between Brigham Young and Hon. Horace Greeley at Salt Lake City".
Inside has two gambling-themed illustrations; a very nice full page Winslow Homer print: "A Cadet Hop At West Point". Also a half page illustration: "The New Orleans Charity Hospital" along with two smaller illustrations: "The Amphtheatre" and "The Ward".  
This issue also contains a serialized portion of "A Tale of Two Cities" by…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 24, 1859  The front page features a text article with 2 illustrations on 'Transatlantic Ballooning' showing 'Professor C. Lowe' and the 'Interior of the Balloon Basket' plus inside the issue is a full page illustration of: 'The New Air Ship City of New York'.
The doublepage centerfold is by Winslow Homer and is entitled 'The Grand Review at Camp Massachusetts, Near Concord, September 9, 1859'.
Two views of the famous ship 'The Great Eastern', one being an…

NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, October 7, 1859

* John LaMountain voyage
* Balloonist - ballooning pioneer

The back page has an article headed: "Voyage Of The Atlantic" "Aeronautic Perils, Privations and Hairbreadth Escapes" "Narrative of John La Mountain" Lengthy text takes up almost 3 full columns and is signed in type: John LaMountain
Other news of the day. Complete in 8 pages, nice condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, June 22, 1861 through August 3, 1861. This is a seven-issue set (part 6) of Harper's Weekly containing the Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" in serialization format. The set provides more than a 10% discount over purchasing the issues individually.

This set would look great displayed in one of our 17 inch by 14 inch display cases which can be viewed at www.rarenewspapers.com/folders.aspx (or by returning to the home page and selecting "storage and display options".

…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 20, 1861  The full front page is a print of: "Filling Cartridge at the U.S. Arsenal at Watertown, Mass." done by famed artist Winslow Homer.
Other prints within include 5 scenes of: "The Eleventh Indiana Regiment of Zouaves, Colonel L. Wallace", and another full page with 8 prints of: "Scenes About Camp". A half page shows: "Hagerstown, Maryland, with McMullin's Rangers in the Foreground" and also: "Major Knipe Winging a Secessionist". Five prints of Harper's…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 27, 1861  The front page is taken up with prints of "General Prentis" "Brigadier-General Williams" and a scene of: "Departure of General Lyon & His Command from Boonville, Missouri, for the Arkansas Border."
Other prints inside include: "The Battle of Rich Mountain" & another full page of "Wilson's Zouaves in the Ditch & Covered Way on the Land Front of Fort Pickens". A displayable full page includes 4 vignettes headed: "Fourth of July at Camp Hamilton Near…

 HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Aug. 10, 1861  The front page includes a print of "Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton". Inside has a full page: "Retreat of Our Troops from Bull Run, by Moonlight, Colonel Blenker's Brigade Covering" and a very dramatic full page: "Charge of the Black Horse Cavalry Upon the Fire Zouaves at the Battle of Bull Run"; a full page map: "...of the Seat of War In Virginia" and a full page: "Balloon View of Fortress Monroe & the Mouth of the Chesapeake", & yet another full page:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 28, 1861  One of the prime features of this issue is Walt Whitman's first Harper's Weekly appearance: "Beat! Beat! Drums!"
Additional content includes: the full front page is a scene of the: "Gallant Exploit of Captain Strong of the Second Wisconsin Volunteers". The many prints inside include a very small: "Plan of the Harbor of Beaufort, North Carolina" and much larger prints of: "The Rebel General Albert S. Johnston, Commanding on the Mississippi"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 26, 1861  The front page has: "A Night Reconnaissance on the Potomac" and a print of: "Lieutenant Braine, U.S.N., Commanding the 'Monticello' ". Other prints inside include: "Grand Cavalry & Artillery Review at Washington" "The 'Monticello' Shelling the Rebels Near Hatteras" "Camp of the Sixth Regiment New York Volunteers (Wilson's Zouaves), on Santa Rosa Island, Florida, Fort Pickens in the Distance" "The War Balloon at General Mc'Dowell's Headquarters…

NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 11, 1861  The front page has two interesting features: first, a nice Civil War map headed: "Topographical Map Of Virginia. From Leesburgh to Mathias Point and the Rappahannock, including Washington & Manassas." showing much detail.
Secondly, there are two cartoons making fun of the newspaper's competition, the New York Herald, with the first showing: "Brother Bennett (Profanely Styled 'the Satanic,') Inflating his Well-Known First-Class, A No. 1 Wind-Bag, Herald." [James…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 14, 1861  The entire front page is taken up with: "A Chart Map Of Georgia, Showing The Percentage of Slaves In Each County." Inside has a full page with seven: "Scenes in & Around Beaufort, South Carolina"; another page has 3 prints of: "The Stone Fleet on its Way to the Southern Coast"; a full page with 3 prints: "Fort Corcoran, Arlington Heights, Virginia" and "The Village of Lewinsville, Virginia..." and "Professor Lowe Making A Balloon Ascension on a…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 19, 1862  The full front page shows: "Shipping Artillery at Alexandria, Virginia". Prints inside include: "City of Norfolk, Virginia" "Transports Embarking Troops at Alexandria" "Federal Troops at Hampton, Virginia"; a full page: "General Map of the Seat of War in Virginia, Showing the Road to Richmond" "Balloon View of the Vicinity of New Orleans, Looking Toward the Gulf of Mexico" "Map Showing the Position of Fort Pulaski & Approaches to Savannah, Georgia".
…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 31, 1862  Full ftpg: "Balloon View of the Attack on Fort Darling, in the James River, by Commander Roger's Gun-Boat Flotilla, 'Galena,' Monitor,' etc". Prints inside include: "Naval Combat Off Fort Wright..." showing monitors in battle; a full page: "Mobile and Its Defenses" which shows 6 scenes; a full page: "Naval Combat Off Fort Wright in the Mississippi River"; and a full page with 5 prints: "British Iron Clad Ship".
The doublepage centerfold is mostly taken…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Sept. 6, 1862  Of special note is the pg. 3 (563) historic letter headed: "The President On the Negro Question". This was one of the more famous letters from Abraham Lincoln, being his reply to Horace Greeley's editorial of August 20, "A Prayer of Twenty Millions", which urged emancipation. Lincoln replies in his letter with his famous quote: "...My paramount object...is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Dec. 5, 1863  The entire front page shows: "The President's Hymn--Give Thanks, All Ye People". However, the most notable content is likely the detailed report of Abraham Lincoln's address at Gettysburg. While the actual address is not provided, considerable details and the rarity of reports make this worthy of interest (see image). The article states in part, "The solemn ceremony at Gettysburg is one of the most striking events of the war..." (see below for the…

WORCESTER DAILY TRANSCRIPT, Massachusetts, Aug., 1865 Nice pg. 3 ad gives details about a "Grand Balloon Ascension" performed by Seaver & Starkweather of Boston. Generally very good condition.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Nov. 25, 1865  Certainly the prime feature of this illustrated newspaper is the very nice three-quarter page print captioned: "Champion Nine of the Atlantic Base-Ball Club of Brooklyn, L.I., 1865" showing named prints of each of the baseball players. There is a brief article on them as well titled: "The Atlantic Base-Ball Club."
Other prints within include a front page print of the: "Inauguration of the Monument Dedicated to the Fallen Heroes of Erie County, at…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 9, 1868  The issue has a full front page illustration "Dressing Baby". A nice half-page engraving "Plowing on the Prairies Beyond the Mississippi" also has a related article. A very displayable full page is entitled 'Springtime in the Country--Gardening". A full page consists of two half-page illustration of Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Napier and Staff. Two other half-page illustrations are "Conveying Silver from the Real Del Monte Mines to the City of Mexico"…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, September 19, 1868  The front page features coverage of "The 'Wickedest Man's' Reformation" which includes a half-page illustration "Prayer-Meeting in the 'Wickedest Man's' Dance-House" and a smaller "Scene in Front of the 'Wickedest Man's' Dance-House" - all in reference to John Allen's supposed "conversion". A nice fullpage has 3 views in Georgia, showing: "City of Columbus"; "City of Augusta" and "City of Macon". A third-page illustration "New Wesleyan College,…

HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, New York, July, 1869  The first article in this issue is "Early Aeronautics" and contains several illustrations including "Blanchard's Flying Balloon", "Blanchard's Counterpoise" and the "Death of Madame Blanchard".
Also within the issue is "Making Watches by Machinery"; "The Birds of Paradise"; "Grant on the Battle-Field"; and additional articles and illustrations.
This is complete in 150+ pages with some scattered library stamps throughout the issue, a small…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, February 12, 1870  The front page features a full page "Christmas-Day in St. Peter's - 'Open the Gates and Let the King of Glory In'".  Fine port scene is a full page print: 'Landing of the Remains of Mr. Peabody At Portland' Full page and 2 illustrations on: 'The Funeral Of Victor Noir' 3 scenes of: 'Aerial Voyages--Perilous Balloon Adventure' shows Th. C. Durant as well. Article included.
Complete in 16 pages and contains additional prints and related text.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, June 25, 1870 The front page is a great illustration of: 'Beethoven'. Within the issue is a nice full page illustration of 'Charles Dickens', and a page 2 editorial concerning the death of Charles Dickens. "The New Masonic Temple" article also includes a halfpage illustration "Laying the Corner-Stone of the New Masonic Temple in New York". "The Sangerfest Building" includes a 1/3 page. A full page 'Reception of Indians at the White House' shows President Grant as…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, October 29, 1870  The full front page is "Balloons from Paris Passing Over the Prussian Lines". Text on the death of Robert E. Lee is on the third page of the issue. Four halfpage illustrations on the war. A full page illustration 'Betting on the Favorite' is a scene at a horse race track. A full page Thomas Nast cartoon "The Tammany King-Dom - The Power Behold the Throne. He Cannot Call His Soul His Own".  1/3 page view of "Approach to Montgomery, Alabama". 1/2 pg:…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 5, 1870  Front full page illustration of "The Floral Temple in the Grand German Fair." Inside: A full page illustration of "French Prisoners from Sedan." Three large illustrations pertaining to "Iceland" including "Supper in the Church," "An Involuntary Halt," and "Mount Hecla, from Near the Summit." Full page illustration of "Flight of French Peasants." Full page Thomas Nast illustration entitled "Our Modern Falstaff Reviewing His Army." A 1/3 pg.…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, November 19, 1870  The nearly full front page illustration is entitled "Take a Chance?" A text article on the third page is "The New York and Brooklyn Bridge" which is talking of the new proposed bridge. Halfpage illustrations 'Washing for Diamond at the New Diamond Fields in S. Africa' and 'Diamond Miners Gambling at Night'. A halfpage illustration "M. Issadier's Balloon, From Paris, Descending Near Dreux". A fullpage "Behind the Ramparts - A Critical Moment". An…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 3, 1870  The full front page features "Uhlans Tracking the Course of a Balloon From Paris". Inside has more prints on the war in Europe, including a very nice doublepage centerfold "An Artist at Work - Making a Hasty Sketch From An Advance Prussian Post Before the Walls of Paris". A halfpage "An Advanced Prussian Post". A third-page illustration "The Coast of Donegal - Scene of the Wreck of the 'Cambria'". Full page: "Thanksgiving Day Among the Puritan…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 10, 1870 Full front page illustration of "Inside Paris-Volunteers on Guard Duty at a Postern Gate." Inside the issue is a full page illustration entitled "Inside Paris-Waiting to Buy Meat at a Butchers Shop." A 1/2 pg. illus. of "The Ruins of St. Cloud." A 1/2 page illustration of "The Old Town of Trarbach, on the Moselle." Large horizontal full page illustration of "Marshal Bazaines Army Leaving Metz After the Surrender." 1/2 page illustration of "General…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, December 24, 1870 Full front page illustration entitled "Anxious times-French Peasant Women Reading News from the Battle Field." Inside are six illustrations pertaining to "Iceland."Doublepage illustration. of "The Crown Prince of Prussia Conferring the "Iron Cross" Upon a Soldier in the Park of Versailles." A 1/3 page illustration of "Scene of a Late Sortie from Paris." 1/2 page illustration of "A Dead Shot."  Supplement (if present) -  A full page illustration of…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, Jan. 21, 1871 Nice fullpg: 'Cared For' shows what looks like a Red Cross worker caring for a wounded soldier. Nice halfpg: 'Map Showing the Route of the Northern Pacific Railroad' fullpg. Nast: 'America Sympathizes With the Pope' 'School or Jail?' 'Interior of the Academy of Music'

HARPER'S WEEKLY Jan. 28, 1871 Front 2/3 pg. illus. of "Hon. Robert C. Schenck, United States Minister to England." Inside: A 1/3 pg. illus. of "A Dance of Moblots in Paris." 1/2 pg. illus of "Artillery Practice in Paris." (Soldiers, Guns). 2/3 pg. illus. entitled "Listening." (Two small girls by a window). A full pg. illus. of "The Snow Ball of the Season." (Children playing in the snow with a giant snow ball). Full pg. illus. entitled "The Departure of a Post Balloon from Paris." (Hot Air…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, May 6, 1871 (does not include supplement - see note) This issue, containing a nice Thomas Nast print as well as others, is complete in 16 pages.  it contains, in part, the following:  almost a full pg. illus: 'The District Vaccinator' (a good medical print), a fullpg. containing two Nast prints, 'Republican Principles' & 'Democratic Principles', and many others (see the first 10 images).

Note:  The supplement (shown in the last 7 images) containing the great dblpgctrfld,…