Historic Newspapers: Mastheads

THE POST-BOY, London, Dec. 19, 1713

* Nice masthead engravings
* Unique gift idea 

This was one of the prominent early newspapers published in London during the late 17th and early 18th… more

THE POST BOY, London, Sept. 13, 1716 This was one of the prominent early newspapers published in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
It began publication in 1695, & was a… more

THE POST-BOY, London, Oct. 11, 1718  This was one of the prominent early newspapers published in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
It began publication in 1695, & was a… more

THE POST-BOY, London, Nov. 4, 1718  This was one of the prominent early newspapers published in London during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
It began publication in 1695, & was a… more

THE ORIGINAL LONDON POST OR, HEATHCOTE'S INTELLIGENCE, London, England, March 15, 1722  

* Great masthead engraving
* Very rare publication

A rare title with the text running continuously from issue to… more

THE GLOCESTER JOURNAL, England, 1769 (currently spelled Gloucester). Here is a very nice, four page issue from just a few years before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in the colonies. This… more

THE GLOCESTER JOURNAL, England, Jan. 4, 1768  (currently spelled Gloucester)  Page 2 has a report from Boston concerning the finding of "hyperion or Labrador tea" in the colonies, of special… more

THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 1, 1776  

* Paul Revere masthead engraving
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)

There were but a few… more

THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY; OR, THE WORCESTER GAZETTE, Oct. 13, 1791

* Massachusetts Governor John Hancock

 Page 3 has a report concerning the collection of taxes, signed in type by the… more

THE STAR, London, February 12, 1793  This features a decorative masthead. On page two under the heading of "British Parliament" is a heading "Declaration of War Against France" in which Lord… more

INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, July 9 and 13, 1795  

* John - Jay's Treaty
* George Washington

A very significant pair of issues as they contain, in its entirety, the… more

THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Nov. 32, 1796   Yes, that's the date on the newspaper (see). Page 3 has an "Address" to the Mass. Senate & House, signed in type: Samuel Adams (see),… more

NEW ENGLAND PALLADIUM, Boston, 1801-1802  A typical "newsy" newspaper of the era with a nice woodcut of a soaring mercury in the masthead. Some light foxing, untrimmed.  Actual dates vary, but the… more

NEW ENGLAND PALLADIUM, Boston, 1801-1802 A general "newsy" newspaper of the era with a nice woodcut of a soaring Mercury in the masthead. Some light foxing, untrimmed.  Actual dates vary, but the… more

THE WASHINGTONIAN, Windsor, Vermont, July 20, 1812  

* Nice masthead for display

The dominant feature of this issue is the very displayable masthead, featuring a large engraving of a heraldic… more

MIDDLESEX GAZETTE, Middletown, Connecticut, March 15, 1826  A very decorative masthead featuring a heraldic eagle (see). Various news of the day and some interesting illustrated advertisements.… more

THE TRUMPET & UNIVERSALIST MAGAZINE, Boston, 1828  Mostly religious-related content. Masthead features a wood engraving of a trumpeting angel. Occasional foxing.  Although actual dates vary, the… more

THE SCOTTISH JOURNAL, New York, Jan. 23, 1841

* Rare title for Scotland immigrants

Obviously a paper which has a focus on the Scottish heritage of Americans in the New York City area, but… more

AI ANGLO SACSUN, New York, May 29, 1847  

* Promoting the spelling of words phonetically

Here is one of the more fascinating newspapers that was in the private collection.
This newspaper--which is… more

THE WEEKLY SYMBOL & ODD FELLOWS' MAGAZINE, Boston, Massachusetts, Sept. 16, 1848 

* Uncommon title
* Decorative masthead
* Oddfellows society

Actually a newspaper & of quite large size with… more

BOSTON MUSEUM, Dec. 16, 1848  Page 4 has: "California Gold" which includes: "All of our brethren are having their say about the California gold discoveries...But California, nor any other unsettled… more

SUNDAY TIMES, N.Y., 1849-1852 The photo shows the very nice masthead of this title which measures 15 1/2 inches across and is 3 inches tall. Mostly topical reports and literary-related content, some… more

BOSTON MUSEUM, May 18, 1850   Page 6 has: "A Short Story by Dickens" contained here in its entirety (see). The back page has over 2 column headed: "Arrival of Three California Steamers" with much… more

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1850-1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more dec… more

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1854 and 1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the… more

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1850-1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more dec… more

OLIVE BRANCH, Boston, 1850-1856  A lot of four issues in mixed condition, all with a great masthead and with at least some westward-expansion themed reporting and/or advertising.  One of the more dec… more

BOSTON OLIVE BRANCH, July 31, 1858  A family-oriented newspaper with science, literary, horticultural, art and humor-related content. Large decorative mastheads. Several small wood-block… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Dec. 25, 1858  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative & patriotic border around all… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, April 9, 1859  Talk about an ornate masthead--see the photos for not only one of the larger mastheads, but one of the most ornate and handsome to be had… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 2, 1859  The front page has print of: "Marshal Randon, the New French Minister of War" as well as a print showing: "French & Sardinian Soldiers… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 16, 1859 

* Rare title w/ great masthead

This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 16, 1859 

* Rare title w/ great masthead

This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 23, 1859  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
The… more

GLEASON'S WEEKLY LINE OF THE BATTLE SHIP, Boston, July 30, 1859  This title has one of the largest & most decorative mastheads of the 19th century with a decorative border around all pages.
The… more

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Aug. 6, 1859  This title has one of the more beautiful & ornate mastheads of the 19th century, plus each page is bordered with an anchor & chain… more

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Aug. 6, 1859  This title has one of the more beautiful & ornate mastheads of the 19th century, plus each page is bordered with an anchor & chain… more

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL LINE-OF-BATTLE SHIP, Boston, Aug. 27, 1859  This title has one of the more beautiful & ornate mastheads of the 19th century, plus each page is bordered with an anchor & chain… more

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL LINE-OF-BATTLESHIP (very early), Boston, Sept. 3, 1859  This was perhaps America's first successful illustrated newspaper, existing from 1851 thru 1859. It set the format for… more

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL LINE-OF-BATTLESHIP (very early), Boston, Sept. 3, 1859  This was perhaps America's first successful illustrated newspaper, existing from 1851 thru 1859. It set the format for… more

WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, Sept. 22, 1860  Basically a sports-themed newspaper. The front page has a nice print of the horse: "Planet...", the very famous race horse.
An inside page has… more

NEW HAMPSHIRE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, Manchester, 1861  The title reflects the theme of this issue, being primarily a farming-related newspaper with agricultural concerns taking much of the front… more

NEW HAMPSHIRE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, Manchester, 1861  The title reflects the theme of this issue, being primarily a farming-related newspaper with agricultural concerns taking much of the front… more

WILKES SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, March 29, 1862 Taking half the front page is a nice illustration captioned: "The New Trotting Park, Between Seventh And Eighth Avenues, On One Hundred And… more

NEW HAMPSHIRE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE, Manchester, July 2, 1862 

* Great masthead engraving 

The title reflects the theme of this issue, being primarily a farming-related newspaper with… more

WILKES' SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, New York, July 26, 1862   Basically a sports-themed newspaper.  Inside has 2 1/2 columns taken up with reports on: "Base Ball" games and developments. Included are box… more

DER LUTHERANER, St. Louis, April 15, 1864  

* Rare publication in German language
* Nice decorative masthead for display

An unusual bi-monthly, German language newspaper which features… more

ADVOCATE FAMILY GUARDIAN, New York, 1865  A rather ornate & decorative masthead in this small newspaper, filled primarily with literary & womanly concerns. Edited by Mrs. Sarah R. Bennett of the… more