Historic Newspapers: Colonial - American Only
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY MERCURY, Philadelphia, April 3, 1735
* Among the earliest of American newspapers
* Very early & rare colonial publication
As any serious collector of newspapers knows,… more
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY MERCURY, Philadelphia, May 15, 1735
* Among the earliest of American newspapers
* Very early & rare colonial publication
As any serious collector of newspapers knows, it… more
THE BOSTON GAZETTE, "New-England", March 12, 1739
* Extremely early & rare Colonial publication
This is one of the most noted & long-lived American newspapers we have had the pleasure to offer, and… more
THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, "New England", April 10-17, 1740
* Among the earliest of American newspapers to be had
* Ad for sale of a "healthy negro woman"
This very rare title was the first… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 9, 1743 This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, April 30, 1743 This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), May 5, 1743 This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), May 14, 1743 This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), May 21, 1743 This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston), March 10, 1743,4 (year noted as such as it was 1743 or 1744 depending on which calendar was used).
This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded… more
THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, May 5, 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
THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, Boston, May, 1745
* Very rare & early colonial magazine
* Great Boston masthead engraving
This is a very rare title, actually the first successful magazine in… more
THE NEW YORK WEEKLY POST-BOY, Dec. 23, 1745
* Very rare Colonial NYC publication
* 30 years prior to the Revolutionary War
As those who follow our offerings know, it is rare that we have… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 19, 1753
* Most famous of newspapers
* Benjamin Franklin (very rare)
In the imprint at the bottom of the back page is the much desired Benjamin… more
THE INDEPENDENT REFLECTOR, New York, Sept. 20, 1753
* Rare Colonial New York
* Short lived publication
This rare newspaper lasted for less than one year, publishing but 52 issues. Primarily moral and… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Oct. 4, 1753
* The iconic Benjamin Franklin newspaper
A quite early colonial newspaper published by none other than Benjamin Franklin, although the… more
THE MARYLAND GAZETTE, Annapolis, March 13, 1755
* Very rare & early American publication
A very scarce and early newspaper from the early period of the French & Indian War. Rarely are we… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Feb. 12, 1756
* Rare Benjamin Franklin publication
* Early Colonel George Washington
* French and Indian War officer
A fine Ben Franklin issue from… more
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, Massachusetts, April 4, 1768 Inside has most of a page taken up with a letter from the Speaker of the Mass. Assembly to one of the King's Secretaries of State, which includes:… more
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, with the "Supplement" as well, May 2, 1768
* John Dickinson
* Colonial Boston
Inside pages have various reports from colonial cities with one item from New London noting:… more
SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, May 16, 1768 The front page is taken up with a wide variety of news reports from London including one item noting: "...the colony agents have orders...to obtain… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Sept. 26, 1768
* Pre Revolutionary War tensions
This newspaper was a primary means of voicing the anti-British sentiment that was… more
THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, December 26, 1768 The publisher of this newspaper had Loyalist leanings, causing its demise before the formal outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
All of pages 1 & 2 are taken… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 6, 1769
* Early Yankee Doodle song mention
* Importation - exportation tensions
The front page has an interesting… more
THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 15, 1769
* The Boston Non-Importation Agreement
* Boycott of British goods b merchants & traders
* Rare Colonial… more
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, No. 2119 (Philadelphia, Aug. 3, 1769)
* Rare colonial publication
This "Supplement" issue came with the Aug. 3, 1769 (date not printed here) issue of… more
THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE, Boston, August 31, 1769 printed with THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, August 31, 1769 Both newspapers were published by Richard Draper on Thursday. A partnership with John
… moreTHE MIDDLESEX JOURNAL OR UNIVERSAL EVENING POST, London, November 24, 1772 News reports from various places in Europe, with the back page having an item concerning crops in America.
Four pages,… more
* Extremely rare publication w/ Paul Revere
* Pre American Revolutionary War era
* "Join or Die" snake issue
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
* Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon
If there was one graphic that represented the spirit of
PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 11, 1775
* The Battles of Lexington and Concord
* Start of American Revolutionary War
This is a gem of an issue, as it is what all serious… more
THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & THE NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, July 5, 1775
* Battle of Bunker Hill - Charlestown
* Siege of Boston, Massachusetts
* George Washington named commander
* American… more
THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, July 29, 1775 In the world of American Revolutionary literature and manuscripts three bodies of work stand out: 1) Thomas Paine's Common… more
RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 17, 1775
* American Revolutionary War
* Extremely rare publication
… more
PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Aug. 19, 1775
* The "Olive Branch Petition"
* Revolutionary War beginning
* Second Continental Congress
Certainly the most notable content in this issue… more
RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 24, 1775
* Olive Branch Petition
* Patriots are considered traitors
*… 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
THE NEW-ENGLAND CHRONICLE, OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE Cambridge, Sept. 21, 1775
* American Revolutionary War
This title has a rather short lifespan in Cambridge existing from just May 12, 1775 thru April… more
STORY & HUMPHREYS'S PENNSYLVANIA MERCURY & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1775
* Battle of Bunker Hill
* Revolutionary War
* Very rare publication
Certainly one of the more… 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… 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 ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Nov. 16, 1775
* Creation of Continental Currency
* American Revolutionary War funding
* re. Battles of Lexington & Concord
A… more
RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Nov. 23, 1775
* American Revolutionary War
* Extremely rare publication
… 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.