Historic Newspapers: Colonial - American Only

Many additional authentic issues are available with Colonial America content.  Those shown below are those issues published within the colonies.  Select the "Colonial - British Included" tab if you want to include British titles with colonial content.
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  • One of the earliest newspapers from the colonies...
    Item #704194
    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 exceedingly difficult to find any colonial American newspapers from before 1760, let alone an issue from 1735. It began in 1719... Read full description  
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    $3,225.00
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  • One of the earliest newspapers from the colonies...
    Item #710010
    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 exceedingly difficult to find any colonial American newspapers from before 1760, let alone an issue from 1735. It began in 1719 and... Read full description  
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    $3,675.00
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  • Early date of this famous Boston newspaper...
    Item #716237
    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 earliest of this title we have offered. It began publishing in 1719 and existed thru 1798. It was founded by James Franklin, older... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $5,250.00
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  • America's first successful newspaper...
    Item #689552
    THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, "New England", April 10-17, 1740 

    * Among the earliest of American newspapers to be had

    This very rare title was the first successful newspaper in the colonies, having begun in 1704 and lasting until the British occupation of Boston in 1776. It was only preceded by "Public Occurrances Both Foreign and... Read full description  
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    $4,425.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #673423
    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 Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
    As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of the Propagation & Revival of... Read full description  
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    $135.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #697098
    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 Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
    As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of the Propagation & Revival of... Read full description  
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    $177.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #704415
    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 America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was... Read full description  
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    $164.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #698457
    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 America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was... Read full description  
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    $142.00
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  • The Great Awakening... Christian revival in New-Londonderry, PA...
    Item #653754
    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 America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of... Read full description  
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    $142.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #704881
    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 by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short... Read full description  
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    $142.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #674800
    THE CHRISTIAN HISTORY, Boston, March 31, 1744  This was the first successful magazine in America although formatted unlike typical magazines. It was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening in America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was... Read full description  
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    $135.00
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  • The first successful magazine in the country...
    Item #726682
    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 America, exclusively of secular news reports. It was preceded by just a few magazines which lasted but a couple of issues--one of which was by... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $155.00
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  • One of the great rarities in American magazines...
    Item #702283
    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 American history done in the traditional magazine format (Christian History preceded this by several years but was exclusively a chronicle of... Read full description  
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    $4,895.00
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  • Handsome, colonial New York newspaper from 1743
    Item #702364
    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 to offer American newspapers from the 1740's. Here is a very handsome issue from 1745 featuring a nicely engraved,... Read full description  
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    $3,125.00
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  • Early electricity machines...
    Item #667596
    THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1747  Two pages are taken up with a: "List of Ships Taken" which include several bound to or from North America and the West Indies. Also included are articles on some early electric machines including a illustration.
    Among other articles: "Regulation of the Window Tax" "Account of the Battle of Kesselt"... Read full description  
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    $68.00
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  • With the desired Ben Franklin imprint...
    Item #703537
    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 imprint, noted as: "Printed By B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL at the New Printing Office, near the Market". Franklin would later... Read full description  
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    $3,935.00
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  • Very early, short-lived,  colonial newspaper...
    Item #716262
    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 political essays, it gave offense to men in power and was "suppressed by authorities", as Brigham relates.
    A fine opportunity to purchase at a... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $225.00
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  • Printed by Benjamin Franklin, but without the imprint...
    Item #703480
    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 "advertising leaf" which appeared with this issue, and upon which was the imprint of "B. Franklin", is not here as it was typically not... Read full description  
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    $620.00
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  • Very early from Maryland: the French & Indian War...   Money owned to Ben Franklin...
    Item #694150
    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 Maryland newspapers from such an early year.
    Page 2 has a report from Halifax, Nova Scotia, that:... Read full description  
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    $3,180.00
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  • A Ben Franklin newspaper with the earliest mention of G. Washington we have found in an American newspaper?   Death of Ben Franklin's brother...
    Item #710763
    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 & Indian War period, which includes what we believe is the earliest mention... Read full description  
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    $2,525.00
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  • Printed by Benjamin Franklin, but without the imprint...
    Item #703482
    THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, Jan. 27, 1757  A quite early colonial newspaper published by none other than Benjamin Franklin, although the "advertising leaf" which appeared with this issue, and upon which was the imprint of "B. Franklin", is not here as it was typically not bound with the issue since it carried only... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $560.00
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  • We may not have offered this colonial title before...
    Item #715581
    GREEN & RUSSELL'S BOSTON POST-BOY & ADVERTISER, June 18, 1759  

    * Very rare Colonial publication
    * French and Indian War era 

    This is one of the less common colonial titles we have offered. A very handsome masthead with two ornate engravings, one of a sailing ship & the other of a horse-mounted post boy delivering the news.
    Page 2 has... Read full description  
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    $545.00
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  • Would reject independence if offered...   Regarding representation in Parliament...
    Item #688491
    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: "...it seems to be conclusive that as those acts were made with the sole & express purpose of raising a... Read full description  
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    $194.00
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  • John Dickinson responds...   Supplement issue also...
    Item #701425
    THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, with the "Supplement" as well, May 2, 1768  Inside pages have various reports from colonial cities with one item from New London noting: "...that New Hampshire, Connecticut and New Jersey did soon after the repeal of the stamp act, return their thanks to the committee of merchants for their services in that most... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $210.00
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  • From colonial Boston...
    Item #585508
    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 an act of Parliament for the encouragement of the  linen manufactury in North America...". An inside page has reports from "Boston" including: "...considering them... Read full description  
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    $56.00
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  • The King is angry at the colonies for encouraging opposition...
    Item #720766
    THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, July 18, 1768   All of pages 1, 2 & 3 are taken up with a detailed report of the island of Corsica, the latter page including a biography of Pascal Paoli which carries over to take close to half of page 4.
    Near the back under "America" are reports from Charleston and Annapolis, as well as "A Message... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $168.00
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  • Many reports indicate troubles are ahead for America and the mother country...
    Item #713644
    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 rapidly spreading throughout the colonies prior to the American Revolution. The paper gained much notoriety when... Read full description  
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    $135.00
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  • Boston newspaper with Loyalist leanings...  Opinions on Massachusetts clergy re the Charter...
    Item #688492
    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 up with a continued report on: "Voltaire on History". Page 3 has: "The Opinions of the Ministers... Read full description  
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    $155.00
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  • Imports, exports...   Yankee Doodle...
    Item #687381
    THE PENNSYLVANIA CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, March 6, 1769  

    * Early Yankee Doodle song mention
    * Importation - exportation tensions


    The front page has an interesting article about: "...George being now master of the ceremonies made the music play just as he pleased; and one night...he swore he would exhibit to the company a... Read full description  
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    $325.00
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  • The historic Boston Non-Importation Agreement...
    Item #700584
    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


    The entire front page is taken up with: "The Speech of Th-m-s P--wn--ll, Esq. in the House of "Commons, in Favour of... Read full description  
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    $425.00
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  • Single sheet "Supplement" to the Pennsylvania Gazette...
    Item #694917
    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 Gazette but has since been separated. As was typically the purpose of Supplement issues, this single sheet is entirely taken up... Read full description  
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    $172.00
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  • A colonial Boston newspaper in great condition...
    Item #715573
    THE BOSTON CHRONICLE, Massachusetts, Aug. 10, 1769  The front page and page 2 are taken up with reports from Europe, while page 3 has news items headed: "America - Williamsburg" "Philadelphia" and: "Boston. Most of the back page is taken up with reports from the Legislature of South Carolina.
    Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, in great condition.

    Item from our most recent catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026

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    $198.00
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  • Pair of colonial issues, by the same printer, same date, same sheet of paper...
    Item #694363

    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 Green and Joseph Russell printed the "Boston Post-Boy & Advertiser" on Mondays.

    Both titles are printed on the... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026

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    $957.00
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  • Rare title from London...
    Item #587909
    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, folio size, partial red tax stamp at the bottom of page 1, very nice condition.
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    $28.00
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  • Likely the most desired masthead from the 18th century... Paul Revere's segmented snake engraving - "Join or Die"
    Item #719725
    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 difficult to properly place both the scarcity and desirability of... Read full description  
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    $18,500.00
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  • Famous "Unite Or Die" engraving  in the masthead...
    Item #716316
    THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL; AND THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, December 7, 1774  If there was one graphic which represented the spirit of the Revolutionary War it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption. 
    The engraving, a prominent device in the masthead of this newspaper, shows a snake... Read full description  

    Item from our most recent catalog - #367 - released for June, 2026

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    $18,000.00
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  • Election of Patrick Henry sets the stage for his famous speech...      So much more...
    Item #724559
    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 to be made since there were three newspapers of this title printed in Williamsburg during the early period... Read full description  
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    $7,480.00
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  • Famous "Unite Or Die" engraving  in the masthead...
    Item #705418
    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 War, it would have to be the ubiquitous segmented snake with the famous "Unite Or Die" caption.  The engraving, a... Read full description  
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    $15,500.00
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  • Battle of Lexington & Concord...
    Item #701395
    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 their Revolutionary War collection: an American newspaper with a terrific report on the famous battles at Lexington and Concord.
    This page 3... Read full description  
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    $8,400.00
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  • On the Battle of Bunker Hill...  Washington named commander-in-chief..   So much more....
    Item #687295
    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 issue w/ many reports


    Nice engraving in the masthead of a post boy on horseback.
    ... Read full description  
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    $3,625.00
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  • Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms: consumes the entire front page...
    Item #700583
    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 Sense; 2) the Declaration of Independence; and 3) the earliest of the Revolutionary trinity: The Causes and Necessity of... Read full description  
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    $12,450.00
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  • A rare & desirable Loyalist newspaper...   Trying to find a solution...
    Item #687431
    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
    * James Rivington - spy publisher


    James Rivington, the famous printer of this newspaper, had an interesting career.
    He... Read full description  
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    $3,179.00
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  • The Olive Branch Petition: a last-gasp attempt to prevent all-out war...
    Item #687282
    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 over half of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
    This was one of the more... Read full description  
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    $5,225.00
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  • The Olive Branch Petition: a last-gasp attempt to prevent all-out war...
    Item #687432
    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 
    * Printed by James Rivington
    * American Revolutionary War
     
    Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking... Read full description  
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    $5,995.00
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  • Lexington & Concord content... - The Conciliatory Resolution plus Congress' response to it...

    Lexington & Concord content...

    Item #718011
    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 contains not only the full text of the Conciliatory Resolution by Parliament, but the Continental Congress' lengthy response to it, signed in type... Read full description  
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    $2,395.00
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  • Much good, early war content...
    Item #687286
    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 4, 1776, less than a year. After the latter date the newspaper was removed to Boston.
    The front page begins with a strong appeal by the City of London to the... Read full description  

    Item from last month's catalog - #366 - released for May, 2026

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    $575.00
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  • One of the more rare Revolutionary War titles...   Battle of Bunker Hill...   Patrick Henry...   so much more...
    Item #687318
    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 scarce titles from during the Revolutionary War. This is the volume 1 number 27 issue of a newspaper... Read full description  
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    $4,375.00
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  • British reaction to Washington being named commander-in-chief...
    Item #687211
    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... Read full description  
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    $875.00
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  • 1775 capture of Ethan Allen...
    Item #719128
    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 & includes: "...Let then, royal Sire, the liberty of England and America be ever in your heart, then shall the people be free, and America shall yet be... Read full description  
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    $915.00
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  • Congress creates Continental Currency...   From Lexington & Concord forward...
    Item #701118
    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 very significant issue in the financial history of the United States, as the front page reports the first issuance of... Read full description  
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    $1,425.00
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  • 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.