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Historic Newspapers: Coffee House (UK)

What we now refer to as "coffee-house newspapers" were originally distributed within 17th and 18th century English coffeehouses. For the price of a penny, customers purchased a cup of coffee and admission, which typically included a newspaper - often printed specifically for their patrons. Socially similar to English alehouses, the absence of alcohol created an atmosphere in which one could engage in more serious conversation as they perused their newspaper (source: adapted from Wikipedia).  Many of these original coffeehouse newspapers are available for sale and are shown below. Please enjoy.
$ $
Showing 1 – 23 of 23
Interesting publication from the 17th century... Item # 721949

THE WEEKLY PACQUET OF ADVICE FROM ROME: OR, THE HISTORY OF POPERY, London, Jan. 28, 1680/1 (1681 by today's calendar).  

* From the 17th century
* Rare variant publication


This was a fiercely… more

THE WEEKLY PACQUET OF ADVICE FROM ROME: OR, THE HISTORY OF POPERY, London, June 17, 1681  

* From the 17th century
* Rare variant publication


This was a fiercely anti-Catholic newspaper,… more

THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, 1682  A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This early singlesheet newspaper hasmore

17th century woman publisher... Item # 707101

THE OBSERVATOR, London, March 19, 1683  

* Rare publication w/ Woman publisher
* Hold something from the 17th century in your hands


This is a handsome dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger… more

THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, Oct. 9, 1684  

* Architect of the Partisan Press
* A Watershed for Women in Journalism
* During the reign of King Charles II 

A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Rogermore

THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, 1684-1686  A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This early singlesheetmore

Over 325 years old... Item # 120350

THE ATHENIAN MERCURY by John Dunton, London, England, 1692-1694. This was a fine gentleman's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide… more

Over 330 years old... Item # 649262

THE ATHENIAN MERCURY by John Dunton, London, England, 1692-1694. This was a fine gentleman's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide… more

Very first of the advice column newspapers... Item # 716157

THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, March 19, 1692  

* Rare 17th century publication

This was the very first of the "agony aunt" newspapers, a newspaper providing personal advice to its readers.
In creating… more

THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Nov. 19, 1692  

* Rare 17th century publication
* Early optician, John Marshall ad


One of just four advertisements on the back page is a quite lengthy &… more

THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England  Nov. 11, 1704  A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal" and much less common. This is issue #15. In the masthead is the… more

THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England  1704-1705  A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal", and much less common. A single sheet newspaper printed on both… more

THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England  1704-1706  A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal", and much less common. A single sheet newspaper printed on both… more

THE BRITISH APOLLO, OR CURIOUS AMUSEMENTS FOR THE INGENIOUS and subtitled: "To Which are Added the Most Material Occurrences Foreign and Domestick". Published in London, and "Perform'd by a Societymore

A REVIEW OF THE STATE OF THE BRITISH NATION, London, 1708 From research done by the prestigious London rare book firm of Pickering & Chatto, this is one of Daniel Defoe's greatest, but least known… more

One of the less common, early titles... Item # 597046

THE REHEARSAL, London, May 15, 1708 

* Rare 18th century title

A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was
more

One of the less common, early titles... Item # 597162

THE REHEARSAL, London, May 19, 1708

* Rare 18th century title

A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was
more

One of the less common, early titles... Item # 699469

THE REHEARSAL, London, Oct. 13, 1708  

* Rare 18th century publication

A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. It was published by Charles Leslie, considered a violent
more

THE SPECTATOR, London, England, 1711-12  One of the more famous of the early newspapers - founded by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, trimmed, some light browning. A single sheet issue… more

THE SPECTATOR, London, England, 1711-12  One of the more famous of the early newspapers - founded by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, trimmed, some light browning. A single sheet issue… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1732  The issue begins with 26 pages of "A View of the Weekly Disputes & Essays in this Month". This section has various reports from the many newspapers… more

THE UNIVERSAL SPECTATOR & WEEKLY JOURNAL, London, March 16, 1734  An uncommon title that existed from 1728 thru 1746. This is Crane & Kaye title #908.
The four pages contain various news from London… more

Settling Georgia... Item # 616459

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1735  Near the back is a section headed: "Monthly Intelligencer" with news reports from various parts of England & Europe with one report under the heading:… more

If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our gifts and birthday newspapers page.

Showing 1 – 23 of 23 issues