Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 14, 1867

* L. Harris Hiscock assassination
* New York State Assembly - Albany
* General George W. Cole 

Page 4 has a small one column heading: "The Albany Murder" (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, nice condition.

Background: The assassination of L. Harris Hiscock by General George W. Cole represents a watershed moment in American legal history, as the subsequent trial fundamentally shaped how the nation navigated the defense of temporary insanity and the culturally…

Here is a handwritten document dated Nov. 19, 1831 from the "Commonwealth of Virginia" to a sheriff in Prince William County. Generally in good condition however, some margins are a bit irregular but no loss of text. Various endorsements on the reverse side. Measures about 6 by 8 1/2 inches.

THE LONDON EVENING POST, May 22, 1779

* American Revolutionary War era
* 18th century - from The Enemy 

Newspapers from England during the time of the Revolutionary War are always interesting as they give a sense as to life at that time and what political discussions were the "hot topic" of the day. Lightly inked red tax stamp on page 3.
I could find no "meaty" references to the Revolutionary War in this issue except for a front page list of "American Prisoners" (see images)
A very nice issue from…

NEW YORK TIMES, July 17, 1865  

* Post Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Owner of Ford's Theater letter signed

Page 5 has one-third of a column headed: "Ford's Theatre--Letter from the Proprietor to a Clergyman" which is a letter signed by John T. Ford concerning a minister's opinion on reopening the theater. It is very rare to find in newspapers letters signed by the proprietor of Ford's Theater, particuarly in his defense of attempting to reopen his theater after the assassination.
Page 5 also…

MASONIC MIRROR, Philadelphia & New  York, Feb. 17, 1858 

* Masonic - free masonry - Masons
* Pre American Civil War era 

In the dateline is: "Devoted To The Diffusion Of Masonic Intelligence, Fine Arts, Literature, News, etc." This little newspaper published for the Masons has a very graphic, Masonic-theme engraving in the masthead (see).
Twelve pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, great condition.

Background: The publication of the Masonic Mirror in February 1858 carries profound historical significance…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Feb. 16, 1865  Among the front page column heads on the Civil War are: "LATE SOUTHERN NEWS" "Rapid Progress Of Sherman" "South Carolina Under His Heel" "He Seizes All The Railroads" "Circumvallates Charleston" "Cuts The Confederacy In Twain" and more.
Inside has much on the war as well, incluiding the back page: "From Gen. Sherman's Army" with many subheads.
Eight pages, nice condition.

NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER, New Jersey, March 5 and April 5, 1841  A nice pair of issues of the same title with the inauguration of President William Henry Harrison, and his death report one month later.
March 5: taking most of page 2 is the: "Inaugural Address" of President William Henry Harrison, a very lengthy document. He was just inaugurated the day prior. 
April 5: all columns on all 4 pages have wide, black mourning rules for the death of President Harrison. Page 2 begins with: "Great…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 5, 1860 

* Famous boxing match print
* John Heenan vs. Thomas Sayers
* MISSING THE TWO FRONT LEAFS ***

The prime feature of this issue would have to be the great doublepage centerfold print captioned: "Bloody, Brutal, and Blackguard Prize-Fight In England, Between Heenan and Sayers, On April 17, 1860" which shows hundreds of spectators. This historic boxing match is considered the very first world boxing championship. It is a terrific boxing print (see). Page 2 has a…

NATIONAL ADVOCATE, New York, July 3, 1820  

* Jewish newspaper publisher Naphtali Phillips 

"Daring Outrage" on pg. 2 describes the capture of a ship off Cape Henry by a "piratical brig". Another article in the same page focuses on the anniversary of American independence. Pg. 3 has an ad for a "Circus" on Broadway with details about "Monsieur Godreau", a tight- rope walker. Multiple illustrated ads are also present.
The desirability of this issue is amplified by its publisher, Naphtali Phillips,…

EDINBURGH EVENING COURANT, Scotland, April 5, 1779  Page 2 of this rare Revolutionary War-era issue features an important official communication from the Continental Congress, prefaced by an explanatory note signed in type by its President, John Jay, formally disavowing an unauthorized diplomatic publication that had surfaced in the Pennsylvania Packet newspaper. 

Sharing the page is a notable report extracted from the Boston Gazette concerning the movement of prisoners of war, stating that

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, August 17, 1776 This exceptional, content-rich issue was published just weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, capturing the frantic military, diplomatic, and social upheavals of the summer of 1776. 

Perhaps most interesting is a page 3 article which contains a stunningly prophetic address to the American public, warning: "Remember, in all your deliberations, you are engaged in a most arduous undertaking. Generations yet unborn may owe

THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, Feb. 29, 1776  This remarkably historic Revolutionary War issue contains a wealth of foundational content from the early months of 1876. 

Page 2 carries an exceptional military report from Montreal detailing the ongoing American campaign in Canada, reading in part: "Quebec is inclosed by a considerable body of forces under Brigadier General Arnold. They hope to avoid storming & thereby prevent effusion of blood on both sides...These circumstances we

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 27, 1796  Fully half of the front page is taken up with an Act of Congress which is signed in script type: Go. Washington, and in block type by John Adams. This Act was for providing money for the support of the government for the current year.
  Beginning on the front page & ending on page 2 is a letter signed in type by John Jay. And pg. 3 has a document concerning the sale of various tracts of land, signed in block type by the President: Go. Washington. 
Four…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, March 22, 1759  Page 5 has reports headed: "America" containing an: "Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia".
It begins; "General Forbes has left a garrison within the ruined works of Fort DuQuesne, which are repaired as well as circumstances will permit. The difficulty of subsisting a larger number reduces the forcers left there to 200, which is scarce sufficient either to defend the place, or restrain the savages..." with more.
Also: "Canada is reduced to a very…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, April 9, 1763   Page 3 contains a very lengthy report headed: "Extract from the Journal of an Officer at the Havana, containing some interesting Particulars of the Siege, not hitherto set n a true Light to the Public." This report takes a full page, carrying over to page 4.
The siege of Havana was a successful British siege against Spanish-ruled Havana that lasted from March to August 1762, as part of the Seven Years' War. The American theater of this war was…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 5, 1841  Perhaps the best newspaper to be had on the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as the nation's ninth President, this being the premier newspaper from the nation's capital. 
Most of page 2 is taken up with: "THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS of Gen. William Henry Harrison, March 4, 1841, On entering Upon the Duties of the office of President of the United States".
Fully half of page 3 is taken up with excellent coverage of the inaugural…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 28, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many ads is one on the front page headed: "Slaves! Slaves!! Slaves!!!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the city, & large & comfortable quarters where every attention will be paid to their comfort. Merchants,…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Nov. 15, 1845  The back page has an item noting: "Emma Smith, the widow of the deceased prophet, claims at least a wife's portion of her late husband's worldly gear, including, it is said, besides the Temple itself at Nauvoo, large and valuable tracts of land in Illinois, for Joseph was suspected of having a hawk's eye towards the mammon of unrighteousness. Emma dislikes the notion of leaving those substantial possessions for any prospects which she can…

THE NON-RESISTANT, Boston, Aug. 25, 1841  

* Nauvoo, Illinois 4th of July celebration
* Joseph Smith & the Mormons - Mormonism
* Rare Anti Slavery publication - slaves
* New England Non-Resistance Society
* About 20 years prior to the Civil War

This is a quite uncommon anti-slavery newspaper with an interesting history.
The New England Non-Resistance Society was an American peace group founded by William Lloyd Garrison (publisher of the famous 'Liberator' newspaper) in 1838. At the organizing

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 23, 1870 

* The tenth Intercollegiate rowing Regatta (1870)
* Famous Yale foul giving Harvard the win
*  Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts

The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "THE WORCESTER RACES" with subheads. Text takes up over 2 full columns.
Eight pages, print flaw with a little wear along the last column of the front page, small piece torn away at the upper left corner, otherwise good.

Background: The disqualification of the Yale varsity crew for a…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, April, 1747  Inside includes the well-known Ben Franklin item: "Speech of Polly Baker". This is the earliest Ben Franklin appearance in a Gentleman's Magazine and perhaps within any British publication, as confirmed by the Franklin Papers, Yale University. Quite noteworthy!
Nearly five pages are taken up with an: "Account of the Behaviour and Execution of the late Lord Lovat & some Further Particulars of his Life". Included are the details of his execution on…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, September 6, 1866

* Jay Cooke & his banking house
* Financier of the Civil War
* Wall Street Panic of 1873 fame

Page 6 of this newspaper contains an advertisement for the: "Banking House of Jay Cooke & Co." with a few more details (see). Other high profile financier ads as well. (see)
The life of Jay Cooke and his considerable influence in banking & business in the last half of the 19th century can be read at this website.
Complete in 8 pages, various news of the day…

THE DAILY POST-BOY, London, Oct. 17, 1733  

* Forty-two years prior to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War

A fine example of this single sheet issue with the front page having various items from London, and the back page is mostly taken up with advertisements. Partial red tax stamp at the bottom of the front paage.
Single sheet, 9 by 15 1/2 inches, very nice condition.

background: The Daily Post-Boy was a British newspaper first published in 1733. It was known for covering a variety of…

THE LEISURE HOUR, London, Sept. 12, 1861 This 12 page issue measures 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches and is "A Family Journal Of Instruction And Recreation" with 2 illustrations.
Nice condition.

Background: The September 12, 1861 issue of The Leisure Hour (No. 507) stands as a vital cultural artifact that highlights the shifting media landscape and socio-political anxieties of Victorian Britain. Published under the direction of the Religious Tract Society, this particular weekly issue embodies the…

THE WEEKLY RECORDER, Chillicothe, Ohio, July 11, 1815  

* Very early & rare for the state of Ohio

This was one of Ohio's most important frontier and early statehood communities. Chillicothe served as the capital of the Ohio Territory and later the state itself for several periods between 1803 and 1812, making it a center of politics, commerce, and communication in the Old Northwest.
Published during the early 19th century, the Weekly Recorder was part of the rapidly expanding newspaper culture…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 7, 1868  Page 3 has an article related to the 1st official Memorial Day which includes a touching letter from a young girl who had lost her father during the war, addressed to Col. Leaming: "Will you please put this wreath upon some rebel soldier's grave? My dear papa is buried at Andersonville, and perhaps some little girl will be kind enough to put a few flowers on his grave," signed in block type, "JENNY VERNON." It is interesting to note that they did find one…

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Feb. 24, 1776  The front page has half a column taken up with 2 desertion reward ads, with much detail. Over a column is taken up with the verbatim cross-examination of Governor Penn of Pennsylvania, which carries over to take one-third of page 2. A few questions & answers include: "...Q. In what estimation was the Congress held? A. In the highest veneration imaginable by all ranks and orders of men...what other forces had the Provincials of Pennsylvania…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 10, 1840  Taking almost the entirety of page 2 is the President's annual state-of-the-union address, signed in type at its conclusion by: M. Van Buren. It is headed: "MESSAGE Of The President of the United States...".
As was typical with this annual tradition, President Van Buren reviewed the events of the year addressing the broad scope of work which concerned the nation in 1840.
Additionally, page 3 has a half column editorial on it, headed: "The…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 1849 

* California Gold Rush
* 49ers - mining - miners

Page 3 has a terrific, nearly full column report headed: "The California Gold Region" which has much detail and fascinating accounts. It begins: "It is now nearly two years since the discovery of the gold mines in this country...". There is too much fine content to detail here--see the photos.
Page 3 has: "Overland Travel To California" which has: "This gold excitement has caused an…

ADVOCATE FAMILY GUARDIAN, New York, April 15, 1865  

* Printed the Day President Lincoln was Assassinated
* Slavery content

The front page has an article discussing slavery and how Christians should have risen to protest to be, "saved from participation in National guilt...".
Additionally, the front page has a poem which ironacally discusses the death of someone who will never be forgoten. What a beautiful, accidental tribute to the President who was about to be mourned and who did rise and stand…

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 full text of the speech presented by of H.M. Brackenridge in the Maryland House of Delegates when the Jew Bill was under consideration. The text of Brackenridge's speech is headed: "Religious Liberty" and…

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

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 (which flowed from Alexander Hamilton's Treasury Report).

• United States Funding Act of 1790: This act, passed on August 4, 1790, was a critical piece of legislation where the new…

SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, Nov. 8, 1865 

* Samuel Bowles' serialized travelogue : "Across The Continent"'

Over half of the front page is taken up with a portion of the Samuel Bowles book: "ACROSS THE CONTINENT" "Letters From Mr. Bowles--No. 29" "Our Farewell to Frisco--Dinner & Ball...A final Review of the Mining Questions...Latest News from the Mines--Copper and Quicksilver--The Petroleum Questions--Oil vs. Wine--Through the Golden Gate". Fascinating reading from just after the end…

MASONIC MIRROR, Philadelphia & New York, Sept. 1, 1858  In the dateline is: "Devoted To The Diffusion Of Masonic Intelligence, Fine Arts, Literature, News, etc."
This little newspaper published for the Masons has a very graphic, Masonic-theme engraving in the masthead. Some masonic content but other items as well.
Twelve pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, great condition.

THE WORLD, New York City, March 11, 1861 

* Start of the Civil War close (Fort Sumter)
* Tensions at a boiling point in the South
* Southern slavery and the Confederacy
* History about to be made

From just weeks before the outbreak of the Civil War, this issue has some reports on the impending conflict.
The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "STATE OF THE NATION" with various subheads. (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, uncut and untrimmed, light creasing with toning and a little wear at the…

* Pre and post American Revolutionary War era
* Great, unique gift idea for that history buff

(5) An interesting & unique lot of five British newspapers, containing all different titles from the 18th century. They span the 1760's thru the 1790's and include at least one from each decade. Some have red ink stamps (partial or otherwise, see images). Certainly a one-of-a-kind grouping.
Titles and dates in this lot include: The London Chronicle, March 2, 1762; The London Gazette, Oct. 13, 1770; The…

NEW YORK TIMES, April 21, 1868  

* President Andrew Johnson
* Reconstruction era impeachment trial

The entire front page is taken up with reports on the Johnson impeachment trial, with first column heads: "IMPEACHMENT" "Further Testimony Offered by the Prosecution" "All the Evidence Submitted and the Case Closed" "Arguments to be Commenced on Wednesday" "The Impeachment Trial".
Page 4 has an editorial on the impeachment trial, as well as: "The Issue In Impeachment".
Eight pages, minor light foxing,…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 6, 1865  

* Soldiers' National Monument
* Gettysburg battlefield cemetery 
* Laying the cornerstone celebration

Much coverage on the celebration of the 4th of July, the first since the end of the Civil War. The front page includes: "The Gettysburg Celebration" "Laying the Corner-Stone of the Monument--An Oration and a Poem--A Letter from the President".
Page 4 includes: "Home, Sweet Home!" which begins: "Mrs. Jefferson Davis...writes in March last from Montgomery, that she…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, June 16, 1701

* Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
* Unique gift idea for that history buff
* At the turn of the 18th century

This is the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper, having begun in 1665 and is still printing in London to this day. And this is a very early, genuine issue. As was the case with most newspapers of the 17th century, this is complete as a single sheet, measuring 6 1/2 by 10 3/4 inches and printed…

THE CONTRA COSTA GAZETTE, Martinez, California, April 24, 1875  An early newspaper from Northern California, just east of San Francisco on the bay. It published in Pacheco until 1873 when it was removed to Martinez.
this is a quite scarce title, as only a few scattered issues are held by institutions outside of the California State Library. The Bancrsoft Library holdings were deaccessioned many years ago, from which this issue came.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, a news…

Much on George Whitefield... Methodism...

BOSTON GAZETTE, Jan. 12, 1807

* Edgar Allan Poe's father & mother theater ads
* "The Secret" and "Robin Hood" comedy plays 
* Eliza Arnold Hopkins Poe & David Poe Jr.

The top of page 3 under "Boston Theatre" is a  notice for the performances of "THE SECRET", with Mr. Poe as "Henry Torrid" and "ROBIN HOOD" with Mrs. Poe as "Clorinda" re. the parents of Edgar Allan Poe.
Complete with 4 pages, nice condition.

background: The performance on January 12, 1807, at the Boston Theatre serves as a vital…

THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR WORCESTER GAZETTE, Sept. 7, 1796

* 18th century American publication

Published  by Isaiah Thomas, perhaps the most famous printer of the 18th century, and whose collection became the foundation of the American Antiquarian Society. Handsome masthead makes this a displayable newspaper.
Four pages, a little margin wear, generally in nice condition.

Background: Thomas’s Massachusetts Spy; or, the Worcester Gazette was a fiercely patriotic newspaper founded by Isaiah…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 25, 1873

* Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873
* Memphis, Tennessee & more

The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "PLAGUE-STRICKEN MEMPHIS" with subheads. (see images) Text takes up over 1 1/2 columns.
Complete with 12 pages, very minor margin wear, nice condition.

Background: The 1873 Mississippi Valley yellow fever epidemic was a devastating outbreak that primarily struck river cities such as Memphis, Vicksburg, and New Orleans, killing thousands and causing widespread…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 27, 1817 

* Grand Lodge of Massachusetts notice
* Masonic - Masons - Freemasonry - Freemasons
* The Elephant 'Columbus' engraving
* Asian Pachyderm from India on display
* First ever male exhibited in America 

The front page has a notice for a upcoming meeting headed: "Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" Also contains the seal of the lodge. (see image)
Page 3 has a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch notice for an exhibition of "The Elephant Columbus", which includes an engraving of an…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, May 23, 1700

* Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
* From the turn of the 18th century
* Unique gift idea for that history buff

This is the world's oldest continually published English language newspaper, having begun in 1665 and is still printing in London to this day. And this is a very early, genuine issue. As was the case with most newspapers of the 17th century, this is complete as a single sheet, measuring 6 1/2 by 10 3/4 inches and…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1798  Inside has an interesting letter which begins: "I was an eye-witness of the death of Marie Antoinette. The accounts given of that melancholy event are generally true. She was dressed in a white dimity jacket & petticoat..." with much more detail including: "...Her head was shown to the people, of whom I think 20,000 were assembled; it was then thrown into the basket with her body..." (see).
Near the back are news reports including over half a page…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1798  Inside has a number of naval reports of encounters with the French & others. Included is a report beginning: "On this morning of the 7th inst. I fell in with and captured an American snow, which had been taken by a French privateer on the 4th, and, in consequence of the information given me by the American master, went in pursuit of the enemy..." with more.
But the prime content in this issue is the of Sir Horatio Nelson's victory over French at the…