Historic Newspapers: Search Results

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 26, 1889

* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame

This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two…

ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [Arizona Territory] July 3, 1875  

* Very rare old Western publication

Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads. The back page has a full column: "Letter From Col. Hodge - Description of the Country About San Carlos and on the Way to Camp Apache".
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, some minor margin tears, good condition.

Background: The Arizona Citizen,…

THE PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, February, 1775 

* Pre American Revolutionary War 
* Thomas Paine - first time as editor 

This is a very rare magazine, published only from January, 1775 thru July, 1776, containing the Declaration of Independence in its final issue.
It was the only American magazine to print the Declaration, in fact it was the only American magazine ever printed in 1776. In the entirely of the Revolutionary War only two American magazine titles existed, they…

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) June 1, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have just scattered 19th century issues of this…

THE STOCK EXCHANGE, San Francisco, California, May 26, 1875  The top of the back page has a great map headed: "Map And Description of the Comstock Lode & Adjoining Districts, Virginia City, Nevada." 
Also, this is the volume 1, number 1 issue, the very first published.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, several creases, various archival mends inside do not deter readability, minor margin wear, light foxing.

Background: The May 26, 1875, premier issue (Vol. 1, No. 1) of San Francisco’s The Stock…

SAN DIEGO BULLETIN, California, Feb. 13, 1872  

* Volume 1 Number 1 issue
* Southern California first 

This is the first issue published of the daily paper, the volume 1, number 1 issue. It was preceded by almost 3 years by the weekly edition. It also was very short-lived, existing only thru July 23, 1872, with the weekly paper ceasing publication at the same time. Given this, it is rare to find any issues.
A very notable issue for any collection of Southern California newspapers.
Four pages,…

TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, Nov. 20, 1889  

* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame
* The Wham Paymaster Robbery trial

We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The front page has nearly 1 1/3 columns taken cup with: "The Wham Trial" " 'Frankie' Campbell Relates Her Experience With the Robbers".
This trial concerns the robbery of…

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) July 23, 1889  This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers" notes only two institutions have just scattered 19th century issues of this…

DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGNER, Sacramento, California, Aug. 14, 1852 

* Franklin Pierce's presidential campaign
* Extremely rare old West publication 

Beyond being a campaign newspaper, which by nature was short-lived, existing only until the November election, this is also a very early newspaper of any kind for California.
This is the volume 1, number 2 issue of a title promoting the campaign of Franklin Pierce for President. The subscription notice on page 2 mentions it will publish weekly until the…

SEYMOUR WEEKLY CRESSET, Seymour, Baylor County, Texas, June 9, 1887  A very rare newspaper which is believed to have existed for ten years, from 1879 to 1889, however records are not clear. Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" notes that only the Bancroft Library had any holding of this title, and those were deaccessioned many years ago. This is one of the deaccessioned issues. No institutions still have any holdings of this newspaper.
Eight pages, a minor ink stain to the front page,…

PANHANDLE INTERSTATE, Lipscomb, Texas, Aug. 30, 1889  A very rare newspaper, as Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" believes it existed from 1887 to 1893, however, only one American institution had any holdings. That was the Bancroft Library, which had just two issues, both deaccessioned, one of which is this one. No other institutional holdings are known to exist.
At the 2020 census, it had a population of just 66.
Four pages, very nice condition.

BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood, Black Hills, March 3, 1878  

* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame

This town would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. Plus, this is a volume 1 issue.
This issue is from the "heyday" of the Wild West. Some of the most celebrated names of the Old West passed through Deadwood,…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, May 29, 1851  The very first title in the Golden State was the "Californian" begun in 1846, followed the next year by the "California Star". These two titles merged, and in 1849 the combined enterprise was called the "Alta California", becoming a daily in July.
This is a volume 2 issue from just 8 months after statehood. It also became the first successful newspaper in California, lasting until 1891.
Included is a great wealth of illustrated ship ads,…

DAILY ALTA CALIFORNIA, San Francisco, July 5, 1852  

* Very early Old West title (rare)
* California gold rush era
* Printed on "necessity paper"

This is a very early newspaper from California, just 14 months after statehood was achieved.
Page 1 contains news and ads, with almost the entirety of pages 2, 3 & 4 are taken up with advertisements. This reflects the tremendous growth of Northern California during the Gold Rush era.
This issue is particularly unusual in that it is printed on brown…

WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL, Weaverville, California, Aug. 14, 1875  A rare issue from this town in Northwest California.
Weaverville is a historic California Gold Rush town. Located at the foot of the current Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Weaverville was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese gold miners and had its own Chinatown. Logging and tourism were the economic mainstays of Weaverville for many years. 
This issue is particularly unusual in that it is printed on yellow "necessity…

THE LOWER LAKE BULLETIN, Lower Lake, California, March 9, 1889 

* Very rare publication on "necessity paper"
* Koi Nation of the Lower Lake Rancheria
* Lake County - Clear Lake region 

 Not only is this the first of this title we have offered, but it is a rarity in that it is printed on orange "necessity paper". Such paper is non-typical newsprint used when the normal supply of paper is not available, usually due to weather and transportation issues. And usually affected are smaller towns in…

KERENS ENTERPRISE, Texas, Aug. 29, 1889  

* One of a kind ? Navarro County

An exceedingly rare newspaper, in fact this is the only issue recorded anywhere according to Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers". It notes that Kerens only had one newspaper through at least 1936, and this was it. It also notes that just one institution had any issues, and it (Bancroft Library) had just one issue. It has since been deaccessioned and it is this one being offered.
Four pages, never bound nor…

MIDLAND GAZETTE, Texas, Feb. 7, 1890 

* Very rare Southwest publication

This is the volume 1, number 35 issue of a title we've never offered previously. Quite rare, as Gregory's "History & Bibliography of American Newspapers" notes only two institutions as having any issues, one of which deaccessioned their holdings. This issue is from that institution (Bancroft Library).
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, typical news & ads of the day, some minor margin tears, partial archival strengthening at…

THE OVERTON RECORD, Texas, Oct. 31, 1889  

* Very rare Southwest publication
* Jesse James & the Ford Brothers 

Overton only had one newspaper thru 1936 and this was it. It is not known how long this title existed, but Gregory's Union List of American Newspapers notes only one institution having had any issues, and it had just two dates, both of which have been deaccessioned. This is one of them.
The top of the front page has an article with column heads: "SHOT AT BOB FORD" " 'Look Out, Bob, I'm…

THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 2, 1870  

* Mormons - Mormonism 
* Utah polygamy argument

This newspaper was published 26 years before Utah became a state.
Most of the front page is taken up with a report headed: "Indignation Meetings in the Settlements", beginning: "Determined not to be behind their sisters in this city in their loyalty to the cause of truth, the ladies in various settlements throughout the Territory have held mass meetings t protest against the infamous…

THE DESERET NEWS, Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 19, 1870  This newspaper was published 26 years before Utah became a state.
Included is the lengthy: "Governor's Message" reading much like a state-of-the-state address, signed by the acting govrernor, S. A. Mann.
But the most notable contgent is much reporting on the: "Great Indignation Meeting - Of the Ladies of Salt Lake City to Protest Against the Passage of Cullom's Bill". This bill was the creation of Illinois Republican Shelby Cullom, chair…

SRPSKO JEDINSTVO, "The First And the Only Slavonian Weekly In Montana", Aug. 25, 1900  

* Extremely rare publication
* In Slavic and English Languages 

Little is known about this unusual newspaper other than the Library of Congress noting this very issue, volume 3, numb er 16, August 25, 1900. Their information is likely based upon this very newspaper. This title is not listed in Gregory's "Union List of Newspapers".
The Montana Historical Society Newspaper Project refers to it as a…

THE DENVER DAILY, Colorado, April 20, 1867  A very early issue for Colorado, as are any issues from before statehood in 1876. And this is a volume 1 issue.
This name existed for less than 4 months fron January 20 thru May 14, 1867. Beginning May 15 the title was changed to the 'Daily Denver Tribune', issues of which are are commonly found.
Four pages, great condition.

UTAH POSTEN, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 1, 1885  Here is a quite unusual and scarce newspaper from Utah, printed entirely in the Swedish language. And this is the volume 1, number 14 issue of a newspaper that would exist for only 15 issues.
There was a large number of Scandinavian emigrants to Utah in the 1850's - 1880's, and while most were Mormon many were not, drawn to the employment opportunities in Utah mines, mills, and smelters. This title is quite rare, printed in the Danish language…

THE CUB, San Francisco, California, November, 1871

* Yosemite Valley engraving - illustration
* Sierra Nevada Mountains - California
* The Great Chicago Fire disaster

A curious little newspaper which features an engraving of a bear cub in the masthead. A semi-monthly paper with a great front-page print of: "Yosemite Valley" with a related article. Nice to have this early illustration a mere 20 years after the Mariposa War and 20 years prior to the region becoming the 3rd U.S. National…

THE WEEKLY WORLD, San Diego, California, July 27, 1872  

* Very rare from Southern California
* Short-lived publication 

Perhaps the earliest San Diego newspaper you will find, as this is the volume one, number one issue.
The front page begins with the "Valedictory" in which the publisher details the purpose of and plans for the new newspaper.
Complete in 4 pages, never bound nor trimmed, various small tears at the margins as is typical of first issues, generally nice condition.

…

MOUNTAIN MAIL, Salida, Colorado, May 13, 1882  

* Very rare old West title
* Town view illustration

Printed in the masthead is: "Colorado Produces Millions of Silver, and Silver Is King." A very rare title, as there are no institutions noted in Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) which have any holdings of this title. The holdings of the only one listed (Kansas St. Hist. Soc.) was purchased by us.
This newspaper would change its name in 1885 to the "Mail", of which 3…

SALIDA DAILY SENTINEL, Colorado, July 10, 1882  

* First and only year of publication ?

An exceedingly rare title as Gregory (Union List of American Newspapers) notes that only one institution had any issues of this title & they were recently purchased by us. No other issues are recorded in any institution. Actually a very typical newspaper of the period with news items of the day--much of it local--with a great wealth of local advertising as well.
Four pages, minor tears at margins,…

THE MESSENGER, Montrose, Colorado, July 13, 1882  An exceedingly rare title from Southwestern Colorado, as not only did this newspaper only last 8 years, but only 7 issues are held by any American institution, none of this date. We purchased the few holdings of the only other institution which once had issues. This is the volume 1, number 8 issue.
The front page has 2 columns taken up with: "THE LOWER GUNNISON" "A New Region Springing into Existence--The Splendid Farming Lands of Uncompahgre…

ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, April 17, 1875  Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads, including: "Letter From Col. Hodge - His Impressions After a Very Detailed Examination of Much of the Territory" "Mohave County" "Local Mining Affairs" and more.
Four pages, very nice condition.

DEADWOOD DAILY PIONEER, Black Hills, (South Dakota) May 25, 1889 

* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame

This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light. It attracted larger-than-life Old West figures including Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was killed there). "Union List of Newspapers"…

THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Cochise County, Arizona, October 16, 1881

* Best Old West title to be had
* Pre Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept this town in popular culture. This issue was printed just ten days prior to the famous gunfight at…

ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, June 19, 1875  Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads including: "Letter From Col. Hodge" datelined at Camp Grant; "Mining Summary" "The Tucson Public Schools" "Telegraphic News" and more.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, a few minor margins tears, very nice condition.

THE INTER STATE, Gary, Dakota, April 2, 1884 

* Very rare publication
* Deuel County, South Dakota

A very rare territorial newspaper from what is present-day South Dakota, five years before statehood. They refer to themselves as the "Gate City of Dakota" as it is situated at the eastern border of the Territory, very close to Minnesota. At the 2010 census the population of Gary was 227.
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed so it folds out to one large sheet, some wear at the spine and a…

BLACK HILLS DAILY PIONEER, Deadwood City, Black Hills, Nov. 24, 1878  

* Rare publication
* Famous wild West town
* "Wild Bill" Hickok fame

This city would arguably be--along with Tombstone & Dodge City--one of the more famous of all the towns from the rough & tumble days of the Old West, and only rarely do such issues come to light.
This issue is from the "heyday" of the Wild West. Some of the most celebrated names of the Old West passed through Deadwood, not the least of whom was…

THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Cochise County, Arizona, July 26, 1881 

* Best Old West title to be had
* Pre Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept this town in popular culture. This issue was printed exactly 3 months prior to the famous gunfight at…

THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, August 10, 1881 

* Best Old West title to be had
* Pre Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Few could argue for a more recognizable title from the Old West, nor could any town be more linked to the romance of the West than this one. Tombstone is steeped in Western lore, and the several movies done concerning the gunfight at the O.K. Corral have kept this town in popular culture. This issue was printed less than 2 months before the famous gunfight at the O.K.…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 14, 1876  One of the better newspapers to be found on the famous Custer Massacre battle at Little Big Horn, as this was one of the only newspapers we have encountered which contained a map on the front page of the vicinity, making this a very graphic & displayable newspaper.
The map is at the top of the front page and is headed: "Scene Of the Little Big Horn Massacre" beneath which is a key noting the various locations of the points in the map. Various Indian teepees are…

SAN DIEGO DAILY UNION, California, Nov. 4, 1871 

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Thomas Sunderland Hawkins
* 1st convicted for polygamy in Utah

Very early from San Diego--a volume 2 issue--when the population was just 2300, with a nice engraving of the harbor in the masthead. 
The back page has a very significant report on Mormon history. The article is headed: "The Mormon Prosecution--Sentence of Hawkins".
This was Thomas Hawkins, the polygamist, his being the very first case of federal…

DAILY SAN DIEGO WORLD, California, July 25, 1872 

* Very rare from Southern California
* Early - volume 1 number 1 issue

This is the earliest of this San Diego title to be found, being the volume one, number one issue.  This title only existed through 1877.
Page 2 begins with the "Salutatory" in which the published details the purpose of the new publishing enterprise. Page 2 also includes a notice supporting: "For President, Horace Greeley, of New York..."
Small folio size, four…

DESERET EVENING NEWS, Salt Lake City, (Utah Territory), June 10, 1882  

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Wilford Woodruff sermon

The front page has 4 1/2 columns dedicated to: "Discourse by Apostle Wilford Woodruff Delivered In The Tabernacle, May 14th, 1882". The topics include: "Liberty of Conscience", "Man Accountable to God", "The Fall of Adam and Eve Preordained", "Redemption and Resurrection", "The Gospel in Ancient and in Modern Times", "Patriarchal Marriage", and more. The entire text is…

WHITE PINE CONE, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado, Dec. 11, 1885  

* Very rare old West publication
* Ghost town - silver mining

An interesting newspaper from a fascinating town which went through two boom & bust periods.
White Pine began in 1880 as a fledgling mining camp just west of the Continental Divide, boomed in the mid-1880's then went bust by 1893. But in 1930 thru 1944 corporate mining resurrected in White Pine, only to go bust again in 1953, closing down the town for…

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, March 20, 1875 

* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit

At the bottom of the front page is: Executions", an inconspicuous report headed: "Last of Vasquez--The Bandit Hanged At San Jose". The report, which describes the execution of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez., states in part: "The bandit Vasquez was executed to-day at San Jose. Not attempt was made at a rescue...Everything passed off quietly. Vasquez…

ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, May 22, 1875  Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads including: "Letter From Col Hodge - The Chiricahua Reservation" "Gov. Safford's Recent Trip - A Flying Trip Through the Territory by the Governor..." Mining Matters "and more.
Four pages, terrific condition.

LIBERAL SENTINEL, Middletown, New York, July 23, 1881 

* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery

Page 2 has a report noting: "A gang of outlaws, supposed to be the James gang, on Friday night captured a train on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific road...robbed the conductor & a passenger..." and a bit more.
The next page has a much more detailed account of the event, taking three-quarters of a column & headed: "Robbing A Train" "Eye-Witnesses Accounts of…

CRYSTAL RIVER CURRENT, Crystal, Colorado, Nov. 10, 1888

* Very rare old West ghost town publication
* Abandoned silver mining camp town

 A rare newspaper from a bonafide ghost town.
Crystal was a mining camp established in 1881 & after several decades of robust existence, was all but abandoned by1917. Many buildings still stand in Crystal, but its few residents live there only in the summer.
This is a volume 3 issue, formatted like most newspapers of the day with a mix of local &…

THE ALASKAN, Sitka, Alaska Territory, June 4, 1887 

* Very rare Alaska Territorial issue

Rarely are newspapers from Alaska found from before the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 when interest grew dramatically. This newspaper pre-dates the gold rush by ten years.
The format of the newspaper is much like other newspapers of the day, being four pages of small folio size (measures 13 by 20 in.).
The front page has an interesting article about the Eskimos, titled: "From Kodiak" which begins:…

ARIZONA CITIZEN, Tucson, Arizona Territory, June 5, 1875  Many years ago we had a reasonable inventory of this title, but today this issue is among our last.
A nice assortment of news articles and ads including: "Letter from Col. Hodge" "Mining Summary" Ostrich Mine" "Territorial Prison" "Our First Law Suit" "Telegraphic News" "Minute-Men" "Indian Depredation Claims" "and more.
Four pages, terrific condition.

SAN JUAN COUNTY INDEX, Aztec, New Mexico, July 30 1909  

* Very rare publication

Actually a territorial newspaper as New Mexico did not become a state until 1912. Although we've offered many other 19th century newspapers from New Mexico, this is just the second issue of this title and from this town in our 48 years.
Aztec is in the northwestern corner of the state. Very rare as well as the "Union List of American Newspapers" notes only one institution has any issues of this title.
A…

WHITE PINE CONE, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado, Sept. 11, 1885 

* Very rare Old West publication
* Ghost town - silver mining

An interesting newspaper from a fascinating town which went through two boom & bust periods.

White Pine began in 1880 as a fledgling mining camp just west of the Continental Divide, boomed in the mid-1880's then went bust by 1893. But in 1930 thru 1944 corporate mining resurrected in White Pine, only to go bust again in 1953, closing down the town for…