Historic Newspapers: Search Results
THE WORLD, New York, April 15, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
The top of the first column of the front page reports one of the most historic & tragic events of the 19th century: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
The headlines include: "ASSASSINATION of PRESIDENT LINCOLN and SECRETARY SEWARD" "Mr. Lincoln Shot in Ford's Theater" "Boldness of the Assassin" "He Jumps on the State and Escapes Unmolested" "J. Wilkes Booth…
CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, April 20, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* From the origin of the American Civil War (rare)
Keep in mind that Charleston fell to Union forces on February 18 and after that date was in Union control. So this is the volume 1, number 47 issue in the "new series" as noted.
Availability of paper must still have been a concern, for as can be seen in the photos the dimensions of the paper are larger than the print area,…
THE NEW YORK HERALD, April 15, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
This issue would rank among the most famous of all Lincoln assassination newspapers, as almost all issues found on the market today are one of the many reprint editions that have turned up for decades.
This is the genuine issue. And better yet it is the "3:00 a.m. Special Edition" as identified by the Library of Congress:
3:00 a.m. Special edition. 8 pages. The…
EVENING STAR, Washington, D.C., April 15, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* It is BEST to have reports from the city where it occurred
Terrific to have this first report of Lincoln's assassination in a newspaper from the city where it happened. This is the first of this issue we have offered.
The top of the front page has a column with heads: "ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT" "Attempted Murder Of Secretary Seward And Sons". The report begins: "Last evening…
FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED, New York, April 29, 1865
* Famous Abraham Lincoln assassination issue
* Much more uncommon than the Harper's Weekly
This issue remains one of the most desired for this historic, tragic event, as it is one of the only newspapers which included a front page graphic showing the actual assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Over half of the front page is taken up with a very dramatic print captioned: "Assassination of President Lincoln in His Private Box at Ford's…
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, May 9, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Black mourning borders
* William T. Sherman returns
All columns on all pages area black-bordered due to the Lincoln assassination. The front page has: "SHERMAN" "His Army Homeward Bound" "The Quickest March on Record" "Scenes Along the Route" "Enthusiasm of the Colored People" and "Events Subsequent To The Surrender".
Page 5 has: "The Assassination" "The Trial to Commence Today" "The President's Proclamation Gone South"…
NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, April 22, 1865 A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provides a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
With this issue, all factious leanings and biased commentary is set aside to report the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The entire front page reports--with considerable detail--the tragedy of the era with first column heads: "A Terrible…
Item from our most recent catalog - #368 - released for July, 2026
NEW YORK TIMES, May 19, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* Loads of testimony in court
Among the front page first column heads are: "THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Full Report of the Proceedings & Evidence of Thurs." "A Plan for Destroying; Northern Ships & Towns Sent to Jeff. Davis" & more.
This trial coverage carries over to the back page.
Eight pages, evenly toned throughout, slightly irregular at the blank spine from disbinding, good condition.
Backgrou…
THE WORLD, New York, May 6, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination investigation
Among the front page column heads on the closing events of the Civil War are: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Another Letter from Beverly Tucker & Geo. Sanders" "Absolute Denial of any Knowledge of the Assassination" "Harold's Confession and the Other Testimony Sent to
Europe" "The Preliminary Examination About Completed" "Another Strange Story About the Assassination" and more.
Eight pages, very nice condition.
NEW YORK TIMES, May 28, 1865
* Last of the Confederate forces surrender
* Formal end of the American Civil War
* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
Among the front page column heads are: "PEACE AT LAST" "Surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's entire force" "Final Official Act of Insurgent Authority" "The Great Rebellion Has Passed Away" "Their Land and Naval Forces Declared Disbanded" "The Stars & Stripes Again Dominant Over All the County" "All…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, May 6, 1865 This issue remains one of the most desired of the Civil War era, if not the 19th century, as much of it deals with the assassination and funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.
The entire front page is a print captioned: "President Lincoln At Home" showing him reading a book to his son. This very image was made into a postage stamp by the United States Post Office.
An inside page has a dramatic full page print captioned: "Scene at the Death Bed of President…
WASHINGTON WEEKLY CHRONICLE, D.C., April 22, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
* From our nation's capital
Truly a terrific issue, for being a weekly newspaper this was the first report of this event in this title, and better yet it is from the city where the assassination happened. A notable--and very uncommon--graphic on the front page is the black-bordered cameo print of Abraham Lincoln, with all columns on all 8 pages…
JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 15th---9 A. M.
* Terrific Abraham Lincoln assassination broadside
* First edition just after the announcement of death
Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were…
NEW YORK HERALD, Oct. 16, 1858
* Theatrical connection to the Lincoln assassination
* Debut of the play "Our American Cousin"
* Three days until opening night
The play President Abraham Lincoln attended on the night he was shot was "Our American Cousin". Its "world" premiere was actually in New York City on October 18, 1858.
This issue contains on page 7 a very brief and discrete advertisement for the play, noting: "Laura Keene's New Theatre...Monday-Tom Taylor's new comedy, Our…
THE JOURNAL & COURIER, Little Falls, New York, April 20, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth
Being a weekly newspaper this issue has the first report of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. All columns on all pages have wide, black mourning rules.
The front page has: "The Great Calamity" which is an essay on Lincoln. Also on the front page: "The Nation's Grief" which is a sermon on Lincoln.
Page 2 has over 1 1/2 columns taken up…
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…
Item from our most recent catalog - #368 - released for July, 2026
(Added to the July, 2026 catalog [#368] after its initial release - only available on-line.)
BROWNLOW’S KNOXVILLE WHIG, AND REBEL VENTILATOR, Tennessee, April 26, 1865
* Very rare Civil War era publication
* William Gannaway "Parson" Brownlow
* re Abraham Lincoln assassination
W. G. Brownlow, or Parson Brownlow, was a fascinating personality to say the least. He regarded anyone who disagreed with him about religion or politics as an enemy. The circuit-riding Methodist parson turned to the press to spread his harsh anti-Presbyterian, anti-Calvinist rhetoric, and to spread…
The back page has: "The Washington Murder Trial" "Interesting Letters & Testimony" "Scenes in the Court Room" with most of the page taken up with the case of Mary Harris and her involvement in the Lincoln assassination conspiracy.
Page 2 has much on Reconstruction
NEW YORK TIMES, May 4, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination - murder
* Pursuit of the conspirators - assassins
Among the front page first column heads are: "THE ASSASSINS" "Mr. Lincoln's Murder Planned by Leading Traitors" "Most of these Traitors Are Harbored in Canada" "Jefferson Davis is the Head of the Assassins" "One Hundred Thousand Dollars Reward for Davis" plus a front page "Proclamation" signed by President Andrew Johnson offering various rewards for those implicated in…
HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, July 1, 1865 The front page has 2 prints concerning the dedication of the Bull Run monuments, captioned: "Monument Erected on the Field of the First Battle of Bull Run" and: "Consecration of the Bull Run Monuments--Reading the Service". There is front page text on the dedication as well.
Inside has a full page of: "Sherman And His Generals" and another of: "The Military Commission Engaged in the Trial of the Conspirators at Washington". Other prints include: "Camp…
CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, Dec. 6, 1865
* President Andrew Johnson
* State of the Union Address
* Civil War reconstruction
Most of the front page and page 2 are taken up with the: "President's Message", being the first state-of-the-union address of President Andrew Johnson. The focus of his speech is the end of the Civil War with comments on the Lincoln assassination: "...Our thoughts next revert to the death of the late President by an act of parricidal treason. The grief…
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 31, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - traitors
All of page 1 and most of page 2 are taken up with: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Trial Of The Accused" "Saturday's Proceedings Continued" with a great wealth of verbatim testimony.
Page 3 has various end-of-war reports.
Great to have this content in a newspaper from the nation's capital.
Four pages, large folio size, minor tears at the margins. Folder size noted is…
NEW YORK TIMES, May 26, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln Murder - Trial of the conspirators
* re. Jefferson Davis capture - Woman's clothes dispute
The entire front page and over half of the back page are taken up with very detailed and verbatim accounts of those called to give testimony in the trial of the Lincoln assassins.
The front page first column heads include: "TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Full Report of the Proceedings on Thursday" "Testimony to the Cruel Treatment of Our Prisoners in…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 12, 1936
* Abraham Lincoln assassination eyewitness
* Mrs. Harriet Van Pelt interview w/ photo
* Was 18 years old at Ford's Theater event
The front page has a one column heading: "A GIRL OF 1865 TELLS OF SEEING LINCOLN SHOT" with subhead and related illustration. More on page 3 and a few related photos on the back page with one showing Harriet Van Pelt, the 88 year old woman who witnessed Lincoln's assassination when she was 18. (see images)
Complete with all 36 pages,…
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 5, 1865
* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - conspirators
Among the front page column heads on the trial of the Lincoln conspirators: "THE REBEL LEADERS" "Their Complicity in the Assassination" "Very Important Suppressed Testimony" "The Murder of Our Principal Men Arranged in Canada" "The Murderers to Receive Commissions from Richmond" 'Booth Specially Authorized" "A Scheme to Cut the Croton Dam" "Another to Poison our Reservoirs"…
PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL, New York, May, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination w/ print
Phrenology is a theory that the personality traits of a person can be derived from the shape of their skull. Although holding no validity today, it was a popular science in the mid-19th century and this periodical focused on it.
The feature of this issue is the page near the back which is devoted to Abraham Lincoln, including a nice portrait of him and a black-bordered article on his life.
Seven other pages has…
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 21, 1865
* Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Lying in State at the Capitol
* Hunt for the assassins continue
Although somewhat inconspicuous, perhaps the most notable item within this black bordered issue is the page 7 mention of the mourning services held at The Congregation Sherith Israel [Shearith Israel] on behalf of the late President.
Synagogues did not often receive the same coverage as other places of worship, and…
NEW YORK TIMES, May 13, 1865
* "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
* Closing events of the American Civil War
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination
Among the front page column heads on the ending events of the Civil War are: "THE HOMEWARD MARCH" "The Second & Fifth Corps Arrive Near Alexandria" "They Meet with the Kindest Treatment on the Way from Richmond" "Sherman's Veterans Will Begin to Arrive About Sunday" and more.
Page 4 has: "The Trial of the Assassins--Action of the Government". The back…
CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, May 19, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
Page 2 begins with a nice editorial: "The Death of President Lincoln in the English Parliament".
Other notable reports within: "The Trial of the Conspirators" "Important; Evidence" "Davis Implicated" "President's Proclamation" regarding amnesty to those in the South; "Union Meeting in Raleigh" "Trial of the Conspirators" "Forest Killed" "Jeff. Davis' Route" and…
NEW YORK TIMES, May 2, 1865
* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Closing events of the Civil War
* Jefferson Davis on the run
Among the front page column heads on the ending events of the Civil War: "DAWN OF PEACE" "Breaking Up of Sherman's Veteran Army" "The Army of Tennessee & the Army of Georgia to Go To Richmond" "Johnston's Army Deliver Their Effects at Greensboro" "The Assassination" "Jeff. Davis Escapes" "The Burial Place of President Lincoln" and more.
Eight pages, an older…
DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 23, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - traitors
Taking half of page 3 is: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Trial of the Accused" "The Proceedings of Yesterday" with a wealth of verbatim reporting.
The front page includes: "From the Southwest' "Report Murder of Kirby Smith" "From Georgia" "100,000 Bales of Cotton Captured" "The Negro Troops Attempt to Avenge the Fort Pillow Massacre" & more.
Great to have this content…
* Abraham Lincoln Assassination
* Edwin not John Wilkes Booth ?
The front page has: "The Trial - The Evidence on Saturday" being that of the Lincoln conspirators. One bit notes: "...after the assassination of the President I heard...that it was Edwin Booth who assassinated the President..." with more
Page 2 has much on Reconstruction including: "The Blacks" "His Future Condition in the South" "The Southern Press On His Prospects" "The Suffrage Question" "Objects
NEW YORK HERALD, July 20, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination trial
* Mary Harris acquitted
* Reconstruction era
The top of the front page has: "Mary Harris' Trial" "Conclusion of the Washington Murder Case" "Exciting Scenes in the Court" "Sharp Practice of the Lawyers for the Defence" "Verdict of Acquittal" (see photos).
Other news of the day. Eight pages, untrimmed, some margin wear with tiny tears, generally good.
NEW YORK WEEKLY DAY-BOOK CAUCASIAN, June 17, 1865
* Lincoln assassins trial
* Rare pro-white title
* Reconstruction era
A decidedly racist newspaper which began well before the Civil War & lasted a few years after. As such their reporting on war events provide a contrasting perspective beyond most other Northern newspapers.
Among the reports: "The Assassination Trial" "The Military Court in Washington" "Continuation of the Proceedings" "Plantation Labor--The Negroes Idling--Crops…
UTICA MORNING HERALD, New York, May 4, 1865
* The hunt for Jefferson Davis
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
Among the reports on pages 2 and 3 are: "The Plot of the Assassins" "Matters In Richmond" "Proclamation By the President--Rewards Offered for Rebels--A Hundred Thousand for Jeff" "Flight of Jeff. Davis" "The Fugitives in South Carolina" "Stonemason in Close Pursuit" "Jeff. Only One Day Ahead" "The President's Remains" "The Funeral Cortege" and more.
Four pages, never bound nor…
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, June 17, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination trial
This issue is loaded with post Civil War reports including ftpg. column heads: "THE ASSASSINATION" " The Trial on Friday" "Hon. Ben. Wood Implicated" "The Richmond Freedmen" "Their Visit To The President" "The Address And Reply" "Details Of The Barbarities Complained Of" "LATER FROM TEXAS" "Rebel Authority Breaking Down" "Farewell Orders of Kirby Smith" "Occupation of Brownsville" "Sacking Of The Town" and more.
…
NEW YORK HERALD, April 25, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Remains in New York City
* Civil War closing events
All columns on all 8 pages are black-bordered in memory of Abraham Lincoln. Two-thirds of the first column are taken up with nice heads concerning the funeral of Abraham Lincoln including: "HONORS To the MARTYR PRESIDENT" "Our Tribute to the Lamented Dead" "Arrival of the Cortege" "The Body In State" "The Procession to the City Hall" "Scene of Sadness & Sorrow"…
JUNIATA SENTINEL, Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1865
* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Funeral train on tour towards Springfield
* Closing event of the American Civil War
The front page is mostly with a lengthy & detailed report: "A Vist To Richmond - What was Seen & Learned There" with subheads: "The Captured City" "General H. White's Interview with apt. Dick Turner at Libby Prison" "John Breckenridge One of the Incendiaries".
Inide has: " The Murdered Remains of the Prince of…
UTICA MORNING HERALD, New York, April 26, 1865
* Abraham Lincoln assassination - murder
* Funeral train on the way to Springfield
Pages 2 and 3 have reports on both the ending events of the Civil War but also on Lincoln's funeral train as it progresses to Springfield, Illinois. Photos show details.
Four pages, never bound no trimmed, various folds and creases, generally in good condition. The folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
Background: On April 25, 1865, the…
NEW YORK HERALD, May 7, 1865
* Closing events on the Civil War
* Abraham Lincoln assassination plot
The front page has some nice column heads on the closing events of the Civil War including: "Danville" "Interesting Details of the March of the Sixth Corps to Danville, Va." "THE PLOT" "Flight of Sanders & Tucker from Montreal" "Canadian Views of the President's Proclamation" "SHERMAN" "Johnny Comes Marching Home" "The Troops En Route for Alexandria" and much more.
Eight pages,…
CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, April 26, 1865 The lengthy page 2 article is headed: "The End of the War". Other page 2 items include: "Tribute to Gen. Robert E. Lee" "From Kentucky" "Attempted Suicide" of Payne, one of the Lincoln assassins; "Guerrillas Captured" "The Sherman Mystery" & more.
Four pages, small folio size, great condition.
NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER, New Jersey, April 3, 1865
* Fall of Richmond, Virginia (early report)
* The end of the Civil War is imminent ?
* Abraham Lincoln assassination nears
This is a stand-alone "Extra" edition with a same-day report of the capital of the Confederacy.
The front page has column heads: "EXTRA" "VICTORY ! " "Richmond Captured This Morning" "City Reported On Fire" 'Enthusiastic Reception of Our Troops" "Petersburg Evacuated by the Enemy" "Gen. Grant Moving for the…
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 13, 1865
* Horace Greeley & go west, young man
There has been some dispute, however general consensus is that Horace Greeley was the first to use the oft-cited phrase "Go West, young man...". There are many, many citations on the internet that Greeley used this phrase in his July 13, 1865 editorial. Here is the Tribune of that date and I've scoured through the issue yet never found the quote. The closest I could come is in "The Homstead Law" article, page 4 column…
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