Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1786  

* The Nova Constellatio coin print
* Made for circulation in the American colonies

The most interesting item in this issue is the foldout plate which contains--among other prints--an image of the "Nova Constellatio" coin used in the colonies (see). The print shows both the obverse & reverse & has a date of 1785.
This was one of the earlier colonial coins, ordered by Gouverneur Morris & minted in Birmingham, England, exclusively for circulation in…

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 and only published through 1749. It was the very first newspaper in all of the Middle Colonies, and only the fourth newspaper published in all of the American…

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 only published through 1749. It was the very first newspaper in all of the Middle Colonies, and only the fourth newspaper published in all of the American…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1776  It is rare to find newspapers or magazines with the magical date of "July, 1776". Here is one.
The first article is: "Debate on the American Restraining Bill" with has much interesting reading and takes six pages. There are also 3 pages of text on events in America, including: "Proceedings of the American Colonists since the Passing the Boston Port Bill" with various reports, including one stating that: "...the main army of the United Colonies has…

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, well-inked coat-of-arms engraving in the masthead. 
The entire front page and over half of page 2 are taken with a report from the commander-in-chief of the province of…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1769   Within this issue is an interesting article: "Plan for Settling New Colonies" which includes an illustration showing how a town in an American colony is best laid out with a "middle square", the "first street", "second street", location of houses and roads, etc. (see). The article describes how such towns are to be created, & includes: "...The design is to settle 124 families together in one town & to give each of them there sufficient ground…

Barton Booth's obituary...

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1733

* The death report of Barton Booth
* Poem (extracts) written by Lord Baltimore
* Value of crops in the American colonies

Probably the most notable item is the obituary of Barton Booth (page 269), one of the most celebrated dramatic actors of the early-mid 1700's.

Another interesting article has: "Extracts of a Poem to Lord Baltimore".

Included also is a nice article titled: "The Case Stated betwixt the Sugar Colonies in the Islands and…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, October 21, 1773 

* Trade with American Colonies 

An inside page has some discussion on the value of trade with the colonies and elsewhere (see photos), taking most of a column (see photos).
Eight pages, about 8 1/2 by 11 inches, and in nice condition.

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, October 21, 1773  

* Trade with American Colonies 

An inside page has some discussion on the value of trade with the colonies and elsewhere (see), taking most of a column (see).
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, nice condition.

THE EDINBURGH ADVERTISER, Scotland, Oct. 8, 1782  

* American independence close ?
* General Sir Guy Carleton 
* American Revolutionary War

The front page has a report with bits including: "...The late overtures made to the Rebel Congress by Sir Guy Carlton...for making peace with America, having afforded much political speculation, it is with satisfaction we find ourselves enabled to state the simple fact, from respectable authority. When Sir Guy Carleton accepted of the chief command…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, October 19, 1773   The entire ftpg. it taken up with a very early article on the benefits of eating whole grains, titled: "The Great Advantage of Eating Pure and Genuine Bread".
An inside page has a letter: "Encouraging the Consumption of British & India goods, by Luxury in the Colonies..." which includes: "...But our trade with North America is quite contrary to the above, it si forced & unnatural, for their soil & climate are similar to our own..." and further…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 28, 1778  

* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America

This was a Tory newspaper published in Philadelphia when the British occupied the city. It began in 1775 and ended when the British evacuated the city in May of 1778. Not surprisingly, the masthead features an engraving of the Royal coat-of-arms.
Only to be found in a Loyalist newspaper, the entire front page is taken up with text and…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 11, 1764  The front page has an article beginning: "I beg a little room in your Chronicle for a few words on the proposals from New England for propagating the Gospel...". Inside under "America" is a New York dateline mentioning the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, and also concerning "...An act providing for 300 effective men...to be employed against the enemy Indians, and...to garrison several forts on the frontiers of this colony..." (see).
Eight…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, a lot of 10 issues of this famous newspaper from the 1760's, all in good condition but a bit irregular at the spine.  Great to have a colonial era perspective from England.
Note: The photo shown is only representative of the style and "look" of the issues you will receive. Actual issues/dates vary.

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 too as part of the British Empire, and as such, subject to the supreme legislative control of parliament; but since the Americans had…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 9, 1666  An extremely early issue of the world's oldest continually published newspaper which began publication just the previous year in 1665. This is issue #68 published just 2 months before the Great Fire of London.
The front page contains not one but three mentions of ships arriving from Virginia, which is an early newspaper mention of the "New World".  And the bkpg. has reference to the Great Plague with an account for Norwich noting: "The Account of our…

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 of the Revolutionary War.
The entire front page is a terrific letter: "To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Virginia" relating the treasonous action of the "...eleven polluted…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1733  

* Very early Savannah, Georgia

Among the articles noted in the table of contents are: "Debates on the Sugar Colony Bill..." "Of Pride in Men of Worth" "The Tobacco Scheme well Calculated" & more.
Near the back is a report which includes: "...highly applauds the undertaking of establishing a colony in Georgia, bestows large enconiums on the founders of it...a subscription is now open'd by the Trustees for the relgious uses of the Colony, a church is…

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 report, datelined from Salem, April 25, begins: "Last Wednesday the troops of his Britanic Majesty commenced hostilities upon the people of this…

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 the only newspaper in existence to report it was this title. As Wikipedia notes, this was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day New England and English…

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 the Great Awakening).
This magazine existed for about 3 years. Two previous attempts at a magazine in the colonies only lasted a few issues, one published by Ben…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1731  

* 18th century magician Isaac Fawkes
* Historical and law-treatise against Jews and Judaism
* re. the creation of the colony of Georgia 

There are several notable articles in this issue, including over a full page on: "...an Historical and Law-Treatise Against Jews and Judaism, published some years since."
Another significant item is one of the earliest reports to be had on what would be the creation of the Georgia colony, headed: "A true Account…

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 brother of Ben Franklin and from whom Ben apprenticed in the printing business.
Brigham notes only 3 institutions have this date.
A handsome issue for display with…

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 revenue out of America, the subjects here are in those instances unfortunately deprived of the sold disposal of their property...The people of this Province would by no means be inclined to…

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, March 30, 1776  

* American Revolutionary War 
* Great year to have (1776)
* Benjamin Franklin song 

The front page begins with a wonderful letter beginning; "The Ministry have boasted much of their regular, their disciplined troops, which they fancied capable of beating all the irregulars in the world. One would wonder how men of any attention to what has passed, could deceive themselves into such an opinion when so many facts, within the…

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE, Williamsburg (with Supplement), April 28, 1775  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 of the Revolutionary War.
This issue was printed 9 days after the battle of Lexington and Concord, however, the news of that historic beginning of the Revolutionary War had yet to reach Williamsburg.
Half of the front page is a report from London which has…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Oct. 25, 1686 

* Sir Edmund Andros sets sail
* Dominion of New England governor

The back page has a quite rare & notable mention of one of the more famous governors of colonial America, Edmond Andros.
The report, from Deale, England, mentions: "Yesterday sailed out of the Downes the Kings-Fisher, having on board Sir Edmond Andros, His Majesties Governor of New England."
Andros was an English colonial administrator in British America. He was the governor of…

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 interest given the recent non-importation of tea from England.
Also an item noting: "By letters from Philadelphia we are credibly informed that a number of new buildings are going to be built there, that the suburbs are going to be greatly increased...so great is the increase of inhabitants in that happy…

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 of the colony of the Massachusetts...upon this question--Whether to Surrender the charter, or suffer judgment to go against it?" (see photos), and further on is: "The Speech of His Excellency William…

Lexington & Concord content...

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 by its President: John Hancock.
The Conciliatory Resolution was a resolution passed by the British Parliament in an attempt to reach a…

THE TOWN & COUNTRY MAGAZINE, London, May, 1776  

* Pre Declaration of Independence 
* American Revolutionary War

Certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War, but a format & layout much like the more common 'Gentleman's Magazine".
Over 4 pages are taken up with a continued article: "The Present State of America" which includes "Religion & Civil Government of New England" "The Different Governments in North America Explained" & "Different Provinces of New England" with…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1736  

* Coverting Jews - Jewish
* Oglethorpe at Savannah, Georgia
* Health conditions in Boston

An interesting article has: "A Remarkable Censure on the Present Translation of the Old Testament by Hugh Broughton, a Man so well Skill'd in the Hebrew that he Converted many Jews", with more.
Much content on the American colonies including: "The Deplorable State of our Sugar Colonies". Under the "Historical Chronicle" near the back are letters from…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, June 5, 1673  

* Early "Fake News" and Propaganda
* Religious and Political Warfare
* Fabricated Colonial Tragedy

A very interesting issue as the bottom of the back page has an advertisement for the publishing of a pamphlet titled "Mr. Baxter Baptized in Blood..." with further details noting: "...containing a horrible murther [murder] committed by four Anabaptists upon the person of Mr. Josiah Baker near Boston in New England, the whole matter, having been enquired

Less than 100 days prior to the Declaration...

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 23, 1776  

* Pre Declaration of Independence signing
* American Revolutionary War original 
* Great year to have (776) - very rare 

Most of the first column on the front page is taken up with reports of ships trading in the Caribbean & related news. Also on the front page is: "The French appear exceedingly friendly to the American cause which they would have promoted by a much larger supply of arms & ammunition than they have hitherto imported had…

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 by Ben Franklin. Even this title lasted but a few short years.
As the subtitle reads: "Containing Accounts of the Propagation & Revival of Religion in Great…

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: "...they are building two new batteries upon the beach...That the three gun battery at the South End is to be greatly enlarged and more cannon added to it...".
Also: "...have advice that…

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 13, 1775  

* Edmund Burke - Anglo-Irish statesman speech
* Conciliatory plan with the American colonies
* Prelude to the American Revolutionary War

All of pages 1 and 2 are taken up with continued discussion in the House of Lords: "Authentic Debates on the New-England Fishery Bill". This was one of the notable Restraining Acts that would eventually lead to the Revolutionary War.
Page 3 contains Mr. Burke's nine point conciliatory plan,…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 11, 1758  Page 6 has over half a column of reporting headed: "America" with two Charleston datelines, reporting on the French & Indian War.
A few bits include: "...arrived in town the Wolf King, a Creek chief...with several other headmen of that nation...received there by the Hon. Col. Montgomery's company of grenadiers... both nations are at this time in temper very advantageous to his Majesty's interests in America."
Another report notes in part:…

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, April 18, 1776  

* Great year to have (1776)
* American Revolutionary War
* Rare mention of Button Gwinnett
* Birth of the American Postal System

A front page report from Savannah includes: "Friday last our Provincial Congress proceeded to the election of delegates to represent this province in the grand Continental Congress..." with the winners noted, one of which was Button Gwinnett,.
This is rare mention of Button Gwinnett, who has the dubious…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 14, 1760  Most of the front page is taken up with: "The Speech of the Hon. Francis Fauquier, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia to the Council of the House of Burgesses" which is headed: "America".
In his speech he speaks much on the ongoing French & Indian War, noting: "...the dangers to which our frontiers are exposed by these Indians...not without hope that this gathering storm may still be dispersed...I am averse to encase, or even continue, any…

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 dance which had never been attempted but in North America. 'Twas in vain that his friends, observing the state of intoxication he was in,…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, March 2, 1765  Much American content scattered throughout this issue, including a front page bit noting; "...instruction have been sent to our governors of the late acquired colonies in America, to keep exact registers of all the French subject presiding there, and to transmit the same, from time to time, to England."
Page 6 has reports headed: "America" with datelines of Boston & New York, noting in part: "...from Halifax...that all the Neutrals...who have…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, March 26, 1763  The front page has over half a column headed: "America" with datelines from New York, Charleston, and Boston. The Charleston account includes; "...The back part of this Province [South Carolina] will soon be better settled than ever, abundance of people coming daily from the northward to view the lands; who, being charmed with their fertility, and finding the weather exceedingly more moderate than in the northern climate, intend to apply for…

THE EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, Feb. 2, 1793  

* Early Australia w/ Arthur Philip
* The "Pitt" arrival to save starvation 

Page 3 has a report noting: "Yesterday morning letters were received...from Governor Phillip at Jackson's Bank New South 'Wales [Australia]. The...mention the arrival of the Pitt with a seasonable supply of provisions and necessaries for the colony...".
Four pages, red tax stamp on the front paste, good condition.

background: The arrival of the Pitt at…

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 America" which is an interesting defense of the colonists in list of the troubles they are having with England.
A few bits include: "...that there could be any…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1731

* 18th century magician Isaac Fawkes
* Historical and law-treatise against Jews and Judaism
* re. the creation of the colony of Georgia 

There are several notable articles in this issue, including over a full page on: "...an Historical and Law-Treatise Against Jews and Judaism, published some years since."
Another significant item is one of the earliest reports to be had on what would be the creation of the Georgia colony, headed: "A…