Historic Newspapers: JFK Assassination

THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-- "Second Extra", Nov. 22, 1963 

* Bizarre JFK - John F. Kennedy assassination issue

This “Second Extra” edition has a curious–if not macabre–combination of headline and photo.
As would be expected of an “Extra” of this date, the large & bold headline proclaims: “KENNEDY KILLED” but immediately beneath it is a photo of a street sweeper pushing his trash cart with a pair of trousers & boots protruding from the top, with the caption: “Sweeper Means What He Says”, as if related…

THE DALLAS TIMES HERALD, Texas, November 22, 1963  

* John F. Kennedy assassination
* Best title to be had (1st report)

Serious collectors always try to obtain historic newspapers from the city where the event happened. For JFK's assassination that would be a Dallas newspaper.
Of the two newspapers which published in Dallas in 1963 only the TIMES HERALD reported the assassination on the same day it happened--November 22--and only in their 2nd and 3rd editions. The MORNING NEWS, being a morning…

THE HOUSTON PRESS--4th EXTRA, Nov. 22, 1963 

* From the city where JFK was the previous day

President Kennedy was in Houston the day before his fateful trip to Dallas.
The banner headline announces: "JFK ASSASSINATED ! " "SHOT DOWN IN DALLAS" with subheads: "Johnson President! Connally Wounded" with 3 related photos.
 Presumably the complete issue of 26 pages with two sections, very nice condition. There were at least 8 Extra editions. This is the 4th. 
Great to have this report from…

CITIZEN-NEWS, Hollywood, California, November 22, 1963

* Unique JFK assassination issue

See the photos for one of the most dramatic front pages to be had reporting the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Unlike most issues of the day, which would have had a photo of JFK on the front page and a headline like "Kennedy Assassinated" with a wealth of reporting, this newsppaer went an entirely different--and more dramatic--route.
Save for the caption to the photo the only word on…

THE MIAMI NEWS, Florida, Nov. 22, 1963 

* Terrific issue for display
* JFK John F. Kennedy assassination

I believe this to be an "extra" edition put out very quickly to announce: "KENNEDY IS DEAD ! " "Felled By Assassin In Dallas" in huge letters on the front page, as the pagination is odd. There are 8 pages total which is likely all this edition had, but they are numbered 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19 & 20. It is called the: "Blue Streak Edition" as a blue streak runs down the right margin.
Minor margin…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 5, 1961  Page 39 has an "under-the-radar" report telling of JFK's attendance of the movie "Spartacus" at a local Washington, D.C. theater: "KENNEDY ATTENDS MOVIE IN CAPITAL", with subhead: "Slips Out of White House to See "Spartacus" With Sub-Cabinet Official". While appearing somewhat innocuous, his public action was perhaps the final blow to the McCarthyism Hollywood blacklist, and a resounding shout-out to freedom of speech. More can be read about this event on the…

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 27, 1963  

* President John F. Kennedy - JFK
* Last policy/ideals speech given 
* Pre-Dallas, Texas assassination 

Obviously unknown at the time but less than 4 weeks later John F. Kennedy would be assassinated in Dallas.
The front page has an article: "Kennedy, Honoring Frost, Bids U.S. Heed Its Artists" which carries over to page 87, where is found what would prove to be the last public address by JFK.
The heading on page 87 reads: "Text of President's Address…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, April 3, 1992 (Calendar Section only)

*Beethoven Opening Day premiere & review
*Thunderheart Opening Day premiere & review
*Other popular movie advertisements

This issue shows a full-page movie premiere advertisement for "Beethoven" and "Thunderheart", both accompanied with reviews. Other popular movie advertisements include "The Silence of the Lambs", "Bugsy", "JFK" and "The Cutting Edge". Also present is a nearly full-page advertisement for a Double Feature of…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Aug. 23, 1983

* Very early Beastie Boys performance advertisement
* Transition to hip hop - rap rock group - "Cooky Puss"
* Over 3 years prior to their debut album "Licensed to Ill"
* Twisted Sister - American heavy metal band
* Stevie Nicks - "Fleetwood Mac" singer songwriter
* The Police - English rock band - musician "Sting" 

Page 111 has a advertisement for upcoming performances at the Danceteria nightclub with one of the performers…

DAILY NEWS, New York, Nov. 23, 1963  

* John F. Kennedy assassination

The front page is dominated by the dramatic report: "PRESIDENT KILLED" with a related subhead, and the famous photo of Lyndon Johnson being sworn into office on board the airplane before returning to Washington. Much more inside as the photos show.
Complete in 36 pages, tabloid size, light dirtiness to the front page, nice condition.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER, Raleigh, North Carolina, Nov. 23, 1963  

* John F. Kennedy JFK assassination
* Lee Harvey Oswald as a suspect (early)

One of the more dramatic issues on the assassination of John F. Kennedy with a wide, black mourning border around the entire front page.
The banner headlines: PRESIDENT SLAIN" "Johnson Takes Office" with 3 related photos. Much more inside.
Presumed complete in 2 sections and 22 pages, minor wear at the central fold and at the right margins.…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Oct. 1-6, 1978

* The Police - English rock band - musician "Sting"
* Very first United States performance advertisement
* CBGB - Manhattan music club gigs

Page 145 has a advertisement for upcoming performances at the CBGB music nightclub with one of the performers being the "POLICE" This was their very first American gig making this a historic issue. Probably only found in this publication.
online source: The Police's…

PATERSON EVENING NEWS--EXTRA, New Jersey, Nov. 22, 1963 

* JFK John F. Kennedy assassination
* Nice headline w/ photo for display
* Early, same day 1st report coverage

The banner headline is one of the larger ones for this report: "PRESIDENT SLAIN  Dies Of Assassin's Shot" with a photo of "President John F. Kennedy" and breaking reports on the assassination. Great to have in a newspaper from the same day as the event.
Complete with both sections, 46 pages, nice condition.

HERALD EXAMINER--EXTRA, Los Angeles, Nov. 22, 1963 

* John F. Kennedy assassination

Bold headline above the masthead: "KENNEDY SLAIN" and also: "Assassinated in Dallas; Johnson Is President" with the related text taking the remainder of the front page along with 2 photos (see).
The complete first section (of 4) with pages 1-24, very nice, clean condition.

EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD, Oregon, Nov. 22, 1963 

* Terrific publication for display
* JFK John F. Kennedy assassination

A very dramatic front page, with perhaps the largest photo of JFK we have seen on any newspaper. The "regular" front page appears on page 3.
Complete in 30 pages, nice condition.

THE PRATT DAILY TRIBUNE, September 13, 1962

* John F. Kennedy JFK Rice University speech
* Race for space vs. Russia
* Going to the moon

The top of page 6 has a four column heading: "'We Will Be First', Says JFK" (see images)  I suspect this to be a rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
This was the famous speech in which he said: "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard"…

PRESS-TELEGRAM EXTRA, Long Beach, California, November 22, 1963  Reporting from the day of the tragedy. The front page features a banner headline: "PRESIDENT KENNEDY SLAIN ASSASSIN!" with a subhead "Texas Governor Also Cut Down in Dallas Tragedy". This issue features a single photo of President and Mrs. Kennedy as they were being greeted upon their arrival at the International Airport in Houston.
This is the complete issue and has some lite discoloration at the fold line (see).

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., Oct. 26, 1960

* Martin Luther King Jr. sentenced to 4 months hard labor
* Would be released on this day with the help of JFK
* re. Atlanta sit-ins - re. John F. Kennedy election win 

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "Integration Leader Gets Jail Term" (see images)
Complete with 22 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

background: On October 26, 1960, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was released on bond from Georgia’s…

ULUS ADIMIZ ANDIMIZDIR, Nov. 23, 1963

* President John. F. Kennedy
* JFK assassination - murder

A newspaper from Turkey reporting the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The name of the newspaper translates, roughly: "Our Nation Name Is Our Oath". It is entirely in the Turkish language.
Folio size, presumed complete in 8 pages, very nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 22, 1939

* Very early John F. Kennedy - JFK
* Photo while still attending Harvard

The top of page 10 has a two column photo showing a young John F. Kennedy with heading: "Another Kennedy Son Arrives Here" Also a one column heading: "22 ARRIVE IN U.S. ON DIXIE CLIPPER" with subhead: "George F. Eliot and a Son of Kennedy Are Among 18 Americans Aboard" Was this the earliest report re. JFK in a daily newspaper ?
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day.…

WILLIAMSPORT SUN-GAZETTE, Nov. 22, 1963 

* John F. Kennedy assassination

The banner headline reads: "Assassin Kills President Kennedy" with related subheads. The photo on the front page is the iconic one of the secret service agent crawling on the back of the limousine.
Nice to have a same-day report, as many first reports on the JFK assassination were dated November 23, being morning newspapers.
Complete with 26 pages, two folds, minor margin wear, generally nice.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Sept. 9, 1971

* John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts
* Along the Potomac River - Washington D.C.
* Opening gala opening night - Leonard Bernstein

The front page has a four column photo with heading: "JFK Center Opening 'Thrills' Mrs. Kennedy" 
Complete with 56 pages, a little spine wear, nice condition.

Background: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts officially opened its doors on September 8, 1971, with a groundbreaking premiere of…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Nov. 12, 1963

* President John F. Kennedy - JFK
* "A Special Day", 11 November, 1963
* Veteran's Day ceremonies w/ photo
* Arlington National Cemetery - Virginia
* Tomb of the Unknown Soldier visit

The front page has a six column heading: "Kennedy Leads Tribute to War Dead" with lead-in: "Taps...A Wreath...And 21 Guns" and photo showing a secret service agent watching over John F. Kennedy Jr. (see images) JFK would be assassinated just 10 days later in…

THE CINCINNATI POST - 8 Star Extra, Ohio Nov. 22, 1963  The banner headline announces: "JFK ASSASSINATED; JOHNSON PRESIDENT" with a large photo of Kennedy moments before being shot. Various related subheads and a photo of Lyndon B. Johnson.
The complete first section, pages 1-14 (of 60), foxing at the margins and central fold, some minor tears at the central fold.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE--EXTRA, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 23, 1963  Presumed complete with all 46 pages, minor wear at central fold, generally very nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 26, 1963

* President John F. Kennedy 
* Frankfort, West Germany
* Paulskirche speech - St. Paul's Church
* Post World War II relations w/ Germany
* Threat of Soviet communism warning 

The top of the front page has a four column headline: "KENNEDY URGES 'COHESIVE EUROPE' IN EQUAL PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S.; MIXED ATOMIC FORCE IS DEFERRED" with subheads. (see images) Much more inside with complete text of his speech and a few related photos. Loads of text here.…

THE NEWS AND OBSERVER, Raleigh, N.C., June 25, 1975

* Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 crash
* Boeing 727 jet airplane
* John F. Kennedy International Airport

The front page has a banner headline: "109 Perish in Fiery Jet Crash Near New York's JFK Airport" with subhead and related photo. (see images) Much more on page 4. First report coverage on the Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, Boeing 727, airplane crash disaster at JFK airport.
Complete with 34 pages, a few binding holes along the spine,…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, June 26, 1978

* Black Sabbath - English heavy metal rock band
* "Never Say Die!" Madison Square Garden - MSG
* Ozzy Osbourne - Tony Iommi w/ Van Halen concert tour
* Fleetwood Mac rock band concert advertisement
* JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania performance
* Rumours album Tour - Stevie Nicks & Lindsey Buckingham


Page 65 has a half page advertisement for the "Black Sabbath" w/ Van Halen concert at JFK Stadium.
…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass. April 28, 1961

* President John F. Kennedy - JFK
* "The President and the Press" speech
* American Newspapers Publishers Association
* Waldorf-Astoria Hotel - New York City

The front page has a four column heading: "Kennedy Urges Restraint in News" with lead-in: "See a 'Clear Danger'" (see images)
Complete with 12 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

JOURNAL AMERICAN, New York, Nov. 22, 1963  The complete first section with pages 1-26. Very light dirtiness & edge wear, generally nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 3, 1960

* Martin Luther King Jr.
* John F. Kennedy - JFK
* 1960 Presidential campaign

The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "Negro Unit Charges King Aids Kennedy" (see images) The presidential was just a few days away.
Complete with 36 pages, light toning along the central fold, a little margins wear, generally good.

THE PRATT DAILY TRIBUNE, Kansas, April 13, 1961 

* Yuri Gagarin - Vostok 1 - Soviet cosmonaut
* 1st human into outer space

The top of the front page one column heading announcing that the Soviets have taken the lead in the space race: "Space Man Describes Sensations" Also another related article is headed: "JFK Says Russia Will Lead Race For Some Time" (see images)
Complete with all 10 pages, a few small binding holes along the spine, nice condition.

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, May 9, 1961 

* Astronaut Alan Shepard
* 1st American in space
* Mercury-Redstone 3 - Freedom 7
* JFK - White House ceremony

America's first man is space is heralded with a front page photo showing Shepard with wife parading through Washington D.C. Also a six column headline: "Why Russian Beat Sherpard into Space" with subheads and another related photo. More inside and a nice pictorial on the back page.
This was an historic first in America's effort in the…

THE PARSONS SUN, Parsons, Kansas, January 3, 1967

* Jack Ruby dies while waiting on death row...
* Hard-to-find same-day reporting
* Slayer of Lee Harvey Oswald... assassin of JFK

The front page reports of the death of Jack Ruby, which includes a photo, supporting text, and the 3-column, 2-line headline: "Death Takes Ruby; Slayer of Oswald." Another related front page article is headed: "Insistence to the Last: No Part of Conspiracy."

Other news of the day is present throughout.…

DAILY NEWS, New York City, Special Airplane Disaster Edition, July 19, 1999  

* John F. Kennedy Jr. and wife Carolyn tragedy
* "John-John" - son of former President JFK
* Flight to Martha's Vineyard ends in disaster

The front page headline is headed: "SAD VIGIL" with several photos and loads of text throughout.
Complete special JFK Jr. edition with all 28 pages, nice condition.

BACKGROUND: The July 19, 1999, special edition of the New York Daily News holds profound historical significance as it…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Nov. 23, 1961

* American Novelist & more Norman Mailer
* Open poem to John F. Kennedy - JFK

Page 4 has a poem headed: "Open Poem To John Fitzgerald Kennedy" which is signed in type: Norman Mailer
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
It is worth noting that "The Village Voice" was an American news and culture paper, known for being the country's first…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Dec. 1, 1962

* Eastern Air Lines Flight 512 disaster
* Douglas DC-7 aircraft - airplane crash
* Idlewild - John F. Kennedy JFK airport

The top of the front page has a five column headline: "25 DEAD, 25 SURVIVE PLANE CRASH IN N.Y." with subheads. (see images)
Complete with 38 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally very nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 16, 1960  The headline announces: "Kennedy Calls For Sacrifices In U.S. To Help The World Meet Challenges of 'New Frontier' " with related subheads. The front page photos shows both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Complete in 34 pages, some light soiling to the top half of the ftpg., otherwise good.

THE DETROIT NEWS, Detroit, Michigan, October 22, 1960

* John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon
* 4th and final presidential debate

This 24 page newspaper has a two line banner headline on the front page: "Hoover, Dewey Urge V.P. to OK 5th Debate" with subheads that include: "Kennedy Hurls New Challenge" (see photos). This tells of the 4th and final presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Pages 6 & 7 in the section section contains the entire transcript of the debate.…

AMERICAN OBSERVER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 1959

* Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy photo

 The front page features 4 photos, one being: "John Kennedy" concerns a compromise labor-,management bill. Part of the caption states: "...sponsored by Representatives Griffin, Michigan Republican, and Phil Landrum, Georgia Democrat--plus milder provisions backed by Senator Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat...". George Meany is one of the photos as well.
It is rather rare to find front page…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICE, Nov. 26, 1963

* John F. Kennedy funeral
* Famed photo of JFK Jr. saluting as casket passes by
* Jackie receives the flag

The front page has a nice photo showing John Jr. saluting with headlines: "President's Funeral -- Pledge by Johnson" and "A Solemn Procession Through Washington As the World Mourns". Considerably more details are present and extend onto inside pages with additional photos.
Believed to be complete in 48 pages, good condition.

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, October 8, 1960

* John F. Kennedy JFK
* Richard Nixon
* Presidential debate

This 12 page newspaper has a two column headline on the front page: "Candidates Bristle In Second Debate".

Tells of the 2nd of the four JFK & Nixon presidential debates which were the first debates to be held on National television.

Other news of the day. Minor margin wear, otherwise in nice condition.

wikipedia notes: The key turning point of the…

ORLANDO EVENING STAR--EXTRA, Florida, November 22, 1963  Certainly to go down in history as one of the more memorable events of the 20th century, this newspaper has a bold banner headline proclaiming the tragedy: "PRESIDENT SLAIN" with the subhead reading: "Suspect Seized After Cop Shot".
All the text on the front page deals with the Kennedy assassination & also includes a photo of "President John F. Kennedy" and one of: "President Kennedy Slumped Over In Back Seat Of Car...".
Complete in 40…

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, Penn. July 18, 1969 

* Apollo 11 moon mission
* Neil Armstrong - Buzz Aldrin - Michael Collins
* JFK's goal in progress - 50th anniversary this year

The top of the front page has three column headline: "Astronauts Enter, OK Moon Module" with subheads and related photo.  (see images) Most issues that were saved reported the actual Moon landing, making this much more uncommon.
Twenty-four pages, light toning and some wear at margins and central fold, generally good.

background:…

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York City, Dec. 20, 1962

* American Novelist & more Norman Mailer
* Open letter to John F. Kennedy - JFK

The front page has a heading: "An Open Letter to JFK From Norman Mailer" which continues on a inside page is signed in type: Norman Mailer
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
It is worth noting that "The Village Voice" was an American news and culture paper, known…

ORLANDO EVENING STAR--EXTRA, Florida, November 22, 1963  Certainly to go down in history as one of the more memorable events of the 20th century, this newspaper has a bold banner headline proclaiming the tragedy: "PRESIDENT SLAIN" with the subhead reading: "Suspect Seized After Cop Shot".
All the text on the ftpg. deals with the Kennedy assassination & also includes a photo of "President John F. Kennedy"  and one of: "President Kennedy Slumped Over In Back Seat Of Car..." (see).
This issue…

TUCSON DAILY CITIZEN, Arizona, Nov. 23, 1963  Contains 2 sections of what was likely a 4 or 5 section newspaper. Good condition.

THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Nov. 28, 1963

* John F. Kennedy JFK assassination
* Assassin Lee Harvey Oswald

Starting on the front page are a few editorials regarding the recent assassination of John F. Kennedy. Text continues inside. Being a weekly publication, this is actually the first issue published after the assassination.  I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
The Village Voice was an…

London $5,000,000 mail train robbery...

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, August 9, 1963

* John F. Kennedy JFK third child born (death)
* Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
* London $5,000,000 mail train robbery

This 18 page newspaper has a banner headline on the front page: "Kennedy Infant Dies As Heart Fails" with small photo of JFK.

1st report coverage on premature birth of Patrick Bouvier Kennedy. He was one of the very few babies born while the father was President of the United States. Page 1 and 3 also contain a…