Historic Newspapers: The Rare Newspaper's Top Collectibles

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 1, 1787  

* Historic United States Constitution 
* Constitutional Convention - Congress
* President George Washington signs 

Here is one of the more historic and desirable newspapers to be had on the creation of the government of the United States--The... Read full description  

THE HOUSTON DAILY POST, Texas, January 11, 1901

* If ever there was a single newspaper which heralded the birth of the oil industry in America, this is it.

Although discoveries were made in various locations long before this date, this discovery--to be known as Spindletop--marked the emergence of the oil industry at a time... Read full description  

THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, April 29, 1778  

* The Articles of Confederation (historic)
* American Revolutionary War

This was the very first newspaper in New Jersey, having begun in December, 1777. This is issue number 22.
There are only a handful of documents in American history which can be considered cornerstones in the creation of our... Read full description  

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, August 19, 1675  

* King Philip's War - Metacomet
* New England Colonists vs. Indians
* First war in America (historic)

The significance of what is known as "King Philip's War" is lost with most Americans, but the event cannot be over-stated.
This was America's first war, and... Read full description  

THE DAILY CITIZEN, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2, 1863  A fascinating newspaper and arguably the most famous of any newspaper printed on Confederate soil, not just for being printed on the back of wallpaper (some others were as well) but because of the circumstances which surrounded the creation of this issue.
The story of... Read full description  

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & THE NEW-HAVEN POST-BOY, June 7, 1775  

* Battle of Lexington & Concord
* General Thomas Gage account 
* Revolutionary War beginning

Simply a terrific issue, as I believe this to be the first newspaper we have offered which not only contains General Gage's official account of... Read full description  

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, May 20, 1852 

* Extremely rare publication

We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
Much of page 2 is... Read full description  

(A 4-issue set) GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Aug. 7, 11, 14, and 28, 1790

The 4-issue set of Gazette of the United States from August 7, 11, 14, and 28, 1790, covers several key historical events and historic developments from the early U.S. government, focusing on the United States Funding Act of 1790... Read full description  

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 7, (1865)  

* General Robert E. Lee's surender
* End of the American Civil War
* Very rare Broadside edition 

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are... Read full description  

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, September 11, 1790  

* President George Washington 
* Address received and response 
* Brethren of King David's Lodge
* Newport, Rhode Island lodge 
* Masonic - Jewish - Jews - Judaica 

This is a very significant newspaper.  The... Read full description  

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, June 17, 1852  We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
Douglass was perhaps the most famous 19th century... Read full description  

THE AMERICAN GAZETTE; OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNAL, Salem, Massachusetts, June 25, 1776  

* Very rare Revolutionary War publication
* Volume 1 Number 2 issue - great year to have

This is the volume one, number two issue of a very rare newspaper. Its rarity would seem to be sufficient for its desirability, as... Read full description  

THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, March 1, 1788

* United States Constitution
* State of New Hampshire
* Pillar illustration - cartoon

  This is one of the most desired & elusive issues of this  title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons".... Read full description  

THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, January 16, 1788  

* United States Constitution
* State of Massachusetts
* Pillars illustration - cartoon

This is one of the more desired & elusive issues of this  title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons". The only other newspaper we have... Read full description  

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, December 20, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

This issue contains one of the most historically significant letters from the Revolutionary War, being Cornwallis' official announcement of his surrender to Washington at the Battle... Read full description  

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  

THE SWEDISH INTELLIGENCER, "The Third Part" as well as: "The Fourth Part", London, 1633  

* Very rare 17th century periodical
* Publisher Nathaniel Butter

A very rare newsbook by the famed publishing team of Nathaniel Butter and Nicholas Bourne who are credited with being the founders of the English language periodical format,... Read full description  

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, May 29, 1819 and March 5, 1825  

* Precursor to the Jew Bill - extremely historic
* Equal rights for Jews - voting
* Henry Marie Brackenridge's speech

A pair of issues on the passage of the Maryland "Jew Bill".

May 29, 1819 issue: Certainly the best content is... Read full description  

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... Read full description  

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... Read full description  

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, April 24, 1790  

* Benjamin Franklin death (1ST REPORT)

Our records indicate it has been over 12 years since we have been able to offer a newspaper with some report on the death or funeral of Ben Franklin. Such issues have been very elusive.
The back page has a very notable--and early--report headed datelined at... Read full description  

THE NORWICH PACKET of the CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Connecticut, Dec. 10, 1783  

* Historic Treaty of Paris (peace)
* End of the Revolutionary War

This must rank among the more beautiful mastheads of the 18th century with the handsome engraving of the ship.
Taking almost all of page 3 is perhaps the most significant... Read full description  

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789  

* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington

It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin Franklin as President of the: "Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of... Read full description  

THE CAPE-FEAR MERCURY, Wilmington, North Carolina, June 3, 1775  This would have to be one of the more interesting colonial newspapers we've offered, primarily for being a forgery.
This title began Oct. 13, 1769, and was suspended for about five months from the fall of 1774 to the spring of 1775. It... Read full description