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, it is

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 is

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 is

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

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

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

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

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

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 of

THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, (Boston),  March 3, 1743,4 (1744 by today's calendar)  This was the very first successful magazine in America, preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of

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 the opportunity

THE BOSTON WEEKLY POST-BOY, New-England, Sept. 11, 1749  This is one of the earliest Boston we have sold in many years. The value of the issue is mostly in its rarity and early date, plus it is

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 Franklin

THE INDEPENDENT REFLECTOR, New York, Oct. 11, 1753 This rare newspaper lasted for less than one year, publishing but 52 issues. Primarily moral and political essays, it gave offense to men in power

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 able to offer

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 the French &

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 8, 1765

• Reverend George Whitefield
• Colony of Georgia return

The back page has an: "Extract of a Letter from Savannah in Georgia" which reports that: "...the Rev.

THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE, Boston, Feb. 13, 1766

• Extremely rare edition of this 18th century publication
• "The Stamp Act" and the American Colonies

Earlier issues of this title were: "The

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:

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

THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, June 6, 1768

• Rare colonial period publication

A great example of a typical American newspaper from the colonial period with various

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

THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 15, 1769

• The Boston Non-Importation Agreement
• Boycott of British goods b merchants & traders
• Rare Colonial Pennsylvania publication

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 the

THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, Sept. 11, 1769  The front page begins with the list of the five points of historic Boston Non-Importation Agreement.
The merchants of Boston, taking into consideration the

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 24, 1771  This newspaper features one of the larger & more decorative masthead engravings to be found in a colonial America

THE 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,

THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY, Or Thomas's Boston Journal, October 27, 1774

• Extremely rare publication w/ Paul Revere
• Pre American Revolutionary War era
• "Join or Die" snake issue masthead

It would be

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, December 7, 1774

• Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon

If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the

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 distinction

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, April 5, 1775

• Benjamin Franklin's "Unite Or Die" cartoon

If there was one graphic that represented the spirit of the Revolutionary

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE, Williamsburg (with Supplement), April 28, 1775

• Very rare Colonial Virginia title
• Gunpowder Incident - Affair

This newspaper was published by Alexander Purdie, a distinction to

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 collectors seek for

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 Revolutionary War
• Terrific

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

PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Aug. 19, 1775

• The "Olive Branch Petition"
• Revolutionary War beginning
• Second Continental Congress

Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking

THE 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 the front page

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

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 situation &