Historic Newspapers: Catalog 369 - released for August, 2026...

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1781  A wonderfully historic issue and nicely presented, as the details of Cornwallis surrendering to Washington at Yorktown, essentially ending the Revolutionary War.
The entire middle column of the front page is Washington's historic letter, dated at "Head-Quarters, near York, 19th October. 1781" and beginning: "Sir, I have the honor to inform Congress, that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord…

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 latter are reports on preparations for Washington's inauguration.
These reports include: "The committees of both houses of Congress, appointed to take order for conducting the ceremonial of the formal reception, etc. of the President of the United States, have agreed to the following order thereon,…

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, July 24, 1783  The entire front page and most of page 4 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy letters from General Washington during the war.
It is headed: "His Excellency General WASHINGTON'S LETTER to the several States which compose the American Republic - CIRCULAR" datelined at Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 11th, 1783.
This famous letter begins: "The great object for which I had the honour to hold an appointment in the service of my country being…

KA ELELE (The Messenger). Honolulu, Oahu, Sept. 24, 1846. Buke 2 (Vol. 2), Pepa (no.) 12.   This is an exceptionally scarce original Hawaiian-language newspaper published during the constitutional era of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Edited under the direction of Rev. Richard Armstrong, Ka Elele ranks among the earliest and most important newspapers printed for Native Hawaiian readers. Appearing at a time when Hawaii possessed one of the world's highest literacy rates, the newspaper served as a…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Aug. 6 1962  The banner head announces: "MARILYN MONROE DIES; PILLS BLAMED" with a subhead: "Unclad Body of Star Found on Bed Near Empty Capsule Bottle". Near the bottom of the ftpg. is: "Sad Child, Unhappy Star - Help She Needed to Find Self Eluded Marilyn All Her Life". Also a front page photo of Marilyn Monroe. Pages 2 & 3 have 13 photos relating to her life & death plus more articles.
Given that her fame was gained in Los Angeles and she died in Los Angeles, this could…

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 concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty allotted him from principle only. A most noble example & worthy of imitation in Great Britain, particularly at this time…

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 inscribed "Independence" while standing beneath a banner inscribed "Appeal To Heaven" and surrounded by ornate embellishments.

The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are taken up with: "The Revolution of America, by the Abbe Raynal. Distressed State of England in 1768."

Page 3 has various reports…

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 era.
Page 2 has a letter that notes in part: "...the Americans might yet be brought back to a constitutional subordination to this country!...". Also: "The troops destined for the American reinforcement for the campaign of 1782 are not yet finally determined on; but it is agreed on all hands that it is…

DAILY EVENING TRAVELLER, Boston, April 3, 1865  A terrific issue as the front page features one of the best single-column stack of headlines we've seen for this event, noting both that Petersburg has been evacuated, and--more significantly--a same-day report on the capture of Richmond, the Confederate capital.
As can be seen in the photos the stack of heads includes two patriotic graphics, with type size that is much larger than normal and taking nearly a full column on this larger-size…

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 features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll with 'Independence' in the other, with the words 'Appeal To Heaven" above him.
Most of the front page is taken up with a…

NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER, New Jersey, April 3, 1865  A very notable issue as page 2 has a late-breaking report received: "By Telegraph this Afternoon" of the fall of Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy.
The column heads note: "VICTORY ! " "Richmond Captured This Morning" "City Reported On Fire" 'Enthusiastic Reception of Our Troops" "Petersburg Evacuated by the Enemy" "Gen. Grant Moving for the Danville Road" "Large Capture of Guns, etc." with the reports taking over half a column.
Note that…

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 from and to C. Fraser, Isaac Hayne, Lord Rawdon & John Collock, with a prefacing note: "The following are authentic copies of sundry papers which  Col. Isaac Hayne, two days before his execution, delivered to a friend with an injunction...".
Col. Isaac Hayne was one of the most prominent Americans to…

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 Morris. 
Page 2 begins with a very fine & detailed letter from Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis dated Sept. 9, 1781, being an account of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, as reported in the London Gazette. The first paragraph notes: "...have the honor to inform your Lordship that on the 8th

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 a paragraph signed in type by the Clerk of the General Assembly, none other than: Thomas Paine.
Page 3 has yet another Act which is prefaced with an intro signed: Thomas Paine. 
All of page 4 is taken up with the continued "Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Treatment during his Captivity." which is…

NEW ORLEANS ITEM--2nd EXTRA, Aug. 14, 1945  Certainly one of the more dramatic issues on the end of World War II to be found, with the entire top half of the front page taken up with "P E A C E !" in huge, bold letters, measuring 8 1/2 inches tall. The subhead reads: "Japs Accept Allied Terms".
Eight pages, very nice condition, and certainly a terrific issue for display.

TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, June 4, 1889  

* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame

We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The content is much as would be expected from a mining town, including many legal notices concerning mines, etc. A wealth of ads as well.
Four pages, various chipping near the bottom margin of the back leaf,…

PANHANDLE INTERSTATE, Lipscomb, Texas, Aug. 30, 1889  A very rare newspaper, as Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" believes it existed from 1887 to 1893, however, only one American institution had any holdings. That was the Bancroft Library, which had just two issues, both deaccessioned, one of which is this one. No other institutional holdings are known to exist.
At the 2020 census, it had a population of just 66.
Four pages, very nice condition.

GAZETTE, Paris, France, Feb. 2, 1641  (date listed at the bottom of the back page).  This title was the very first regular newspaper published in France, started in 1631 by Théophraste Renaudot but with influential backing by the powerful Cardinal de Richelieu. All the text is in French with the first letter in the title containing embellishments. An ornate letter begins the first paragraph on the front page.
Four pages, 8 3/4 by 6 1/2 inches, in great condition. One of the earliest dated…

Large sheepskin document from England "This Indenture" in ornate lettering at the top with engravings within, dated near the top: "...in the year of or Lord one thousand seven hunbdred and forty-two..." followed by various details. There are five red wax seals next to signatures at the bottom.
This is an unusual two page document with a blue embossed tax stamp in the margin on each.
This document folds out to measure 22 by 29 inches. Several folds, very handsome handwriting, nice condition. A…

THE BATTERY, Washington, Aug. 17 1848  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 over so was the newspaper, however some titles existed for some months afterward.
This is the #7…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, Dec. 9, 1790  Page 3 has an article on the first meeting of Congress on December 6, 1790 at the temporary capital at Philadelphia since it's move from New York City. "...Monday last being the day appointed for the meeting of the National legislature, in this city, now the seat of government of the United States, thirty-one members of the House of Representatives assembled in the hall, in Chestnut Street, which number not being sufficient to…

THE WATCHMAN, Oswego, New York, February, 1850  Almost nothing is known about this title. It is not listed in Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers", nothing can be found on the internet, and the Am. Antiquarian Society has but this same issue, with no known information as to how long it might have lasted. There is no issue or volume numbering, however we suspect this was the first (and perhaps only) issue as the front page begins be defining their purpose: "Object Of This Sheet" "The…

NEW-YORK TIMES,  March 10, 1862  Front page heads beginning at the top of the first column describe the events of the most famous naval engagement of the Civil War, the battle of the Monitor vs. Merrimac.
They include: "Highly Important News" "Desperate Naval Engagement in Hampton Roads" "Attack Upon our Blockading Vessels by the Rebel Steamers Merrimac, Jamestown and Yorktown" "The Frigate Cumberland Run Into by the Merrimac and Sunk" 'Part of Her Crew Reported to be Drowned" "Surrender Of The…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, November 21, 1861  This was an anti-war newspaper that insisted that slavery should not be abolished, so much of its content has an anti-North bias.
Page 6 has an article (reprinted from I.M. Wise's 'The Israelite'), which has much related to "The Chaplaincy Controversy of 1861". This was a noteworthy event in Jewish American History as until this time, only Christian clergymen were permitted to serve as U.S. Chaplains.
In 1862, after a lobbying campaign, the law was…

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 20, 1862  Page 5 contains one of the more moving articles on the horrors of war, brought home to the residents of New York through an exhibition of "Pictures of the Dead at Antietam" in Matthew Brady's Manhattan Gallery.
The article is headed: "'Brady's Photographs" and a website chronicles the exhibition comparing the brutality & reality of war, to the callousness of New York's residents who read the daily papers but did not relate to the horrors they reported.
The article…

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) June 1, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have just scattered 19th century issues of this…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Feb. 19, 1684  (1685 by today's calendar)  The front page has a report from Edinburgh mentioning the arrival of: "...the most sorrowful news of the death of our late Gracious Sovereign..." and also on the front page is a document beginning: "For as much as it hath pleased the Almighty God to call CHARLES the Second...from a Temporary Crown to inherit an Eternal in the Heavens..." and mention of the succession of James Seventh (actually James II).
Pages 2, 3 and 4…

THE GREAT WAR COLLECTION (11 issues) - A great opportunity for an instant collection encompassing every major "American" war from The French and Indian War through The Gulf War. You get eleven original/authentic publications (at least 9 being American newspapers), one each for:

French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.

The earliest two will be British magazines (with war…

THE STAR, London, England, Sept. 27, 1814  Page 3 has wonderful reporting on this historic capture of Washington, D.C. by the British during the War of 1812.
The top of a column notes: "CAPTURE and DESTRUCTION OF WASHINGTON" with the report beginning: "Our readers might perceive, from the observations offered yesterday, on the military operations in America, that we expected soon to announce THE CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON. That important event has actually been accomplished, and the reign of…

SPOONER'S VERMONT JOURNAL, Windsor, Nov. 15, 1803  Taking nearly the entire front page and a small bit of page 2 is the full text of the: "TREATY Between the United States of America and the French Republic". It includes all ten articles with the signatures in type of the 3 principals: Rob. R. Livingston, Barbe Marbois (for France) and James Monroe. 
Page 2 also has additional reports relating to the Louisiana Purchase. Page 3 has a brief item noting: "In the Senate of the United States, on the…

WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, Aug. 14, 1875  A rare issue from this town in Northwest California.
Weaverville is a historic California Gold Rush town. Located at the foot of the current Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Weaverville was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese gold miners and had its own Chinatown. Logging and tourism were the economic mainstays of Weaverville for many years. 
This issue is particularly unusual in that it is printed on yellow "necessity…

DAILY EVENING TRAVELLER, Boston, April 27, 1865  The front page has a nice--and very early--announcement of the capture & death of John Wilkes Booth. Almost all newspapers of this era we have sold report Booth's death in their issue of April 28.
The front page has column heads: "EXTRA" "BOOTH KILLED" "Official Despatch" "The Pursuit of the President's Assassins" "Booth and Harrold Surrounded" "J. Wilkes Booth Shot" "His Body In Washington" "Harrold Captured" followed by text on the details.
Also…

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE, Nebraska, Jan. 14, 1901  Although discoveries were made in various locations long before this date, this discovery--to be known as Spindletop--marked the emergence of the oil industry at a time when the automobile and other industries were experiencing rapid growth, coinciding with the need for this new product.
The discovery of oil in Beaumont, Texas, was the beginning of the oil industry in Texas. When the well struck on January 10, 1901 it would gusher uncontrollably…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 4, 1861 

* President Abraham Lincoln
* 1st State of the Union Address

Most of page 2 is taken up with: "The President's Message" being the annual state-of-the-union address of the President to Congress, signed in type at its conclusion: Abraham Lincoln.

Logically, much of his focus is on the on-going Civil War and its progress, although there is much more about the state of the nation. Page 3 has an editorial headed: "The President's…

(5) COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, lot of 5 issues dating from 1797-1801, each containing at least one John Adams signature. Somewhat 2nd-rate but not damaged.  Issues with his signature are increasingly hard to find, and these are priced at a significant discount.

THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, Salem, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1850  The motto printed in the masthead reads: "No Union With Slaveholders", which sets the tone for the newspaper's theme. This is one of the less common anti-slavery newspapers we have encountered.
Among the articles: "The Work To Be Done" "Selling a Free Boy into Slavery" "Slave-Catching" and more. Page 3 has a report on the California gold rush.
Four pages, foxing to some front page folds, irregular at the blank spine margin does not affect type,…

TUSTIN PRESS ADVOCATE, Orange County, California, Sat. Sept. 1, 1945  This is a small-size, broadside "Extra" edition announcing the formal end of the War in the Pacific with the Japanese signing surrender papers on the U.S.S. Missouri.
The only text is the report at the lower left headed: "Japs sign Formal Surrender Papers" and reading: "High official Japanese representatives have signed the formal surrender terms, completely ending World War II. Jonathan M. Wainwright was on the Missouri to…

NEW YORK TIMES, July 22, 1861  This would be the premiere report on the Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the Civil War and reported just one day after it happened. Plus, reported on perhaps the most venerable title of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The first column has heads: "CRUSHING REBELLION" "The Greatest Battle Ever Fought on this Continent" "The Whole Rebel Army of Manassas Engaged" "Fearful Carnage On Both Sides" "Advance of the National Army in Three Columns" "The Rebels…

HENDERSON DAILY NEWS, Texas, Sept. 26, 1933  This is a great issue on the capture of the infamous gangster "Machine Gun" Kelly.
In large, bold type above the masthead is: "MACHINE GUN KELLY AND WIFE CAUGHT IN MEMPHIS HIDE-OUT" with subheads including: "2 Accomplices Also Captured" "Desperado Surrenders Without Gunfire" "Super-Criminal and Wife Readily Admit Identities To Officers". Included is a photo captioned: "Machine Gun Kelly".
Complete in 8 pages, very nice condition and a fine issue for…

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, South Carolina, Dec. 23, 1864  The most notable report, particularly as a Confederate newspaper, is at the beginning of the back page with a rather subtle account headed: "Further From Savannah" noting: "We have not, as yet, received any detailed account of the evacuation of Savannah. On Sunday Sherman sent in a formal demand for the surrender of the city. This was refused; and 48 hours were demanded, to allow the non-combatants an opportunity to leave the place. During…

(6) COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, a lot of six 2nd rate issues dating from 1795-1799. Various news of the day from this famous colonial town. This was arguably the most successful & well-known newspaper of in 18th century America. Could contain close-trimming, staining, archival mending, etc., but will not have loss of text. Please note: The S&H for this lot is a bit higher than that of a single issue, and being a wholesale lot, is not eligible for free shipping.

(5) AN EARLY LOT - Five issues of the Columbian Centinel newspaper dating from 1794 to 1799. Each issue is in nice condition (not 2nd-rate). Increasingly rare from the 18th century. News of the day & period ads.  

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 20, 1795  A page 3 report under "Federal Frigate" reports the beginning of work on this famous addition to the U.S. Navy, stating in part: "...the keel of the United States frigate...was finished laying. It is 156 feet in length, and from the elegance of the workmanship, and the goodness of the timber of which it is composed...we anticipate she will be one of the finest vessels that ever floated...".
This was actually the keel of what would be the frigate…