Historic Newspapers: Search Results

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 20, 1862  Page 5 contains one of the more moving articles on the horrors of war, brought home to the residents of New York through an exhibition of "Pictures of the Dead at Antietam" in Matthew Brady's Manhattan Gallery.
The article is headed: "'Brady's Photographs" and a website chronicles the exhibition comparing the brutality & reality of war, to the callousness of New York's residents who read the daily papers but did not relate to the horrors they reported.
The article…

NEWBURYPORT HERALD & COUNTRY GAZETTE, Massachusetts, March 17, 1801  Page 2 contains Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural address, headed and beginning: "City of Washington, March 4 - PRESIDENT'S SPEECH. This Day at XII o'clock, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, took the oath of office required by the Constitution in the Senate Chamber, in the presence of the Senate, the public officers, and a large concourse of citizens. Previous to which he delivered the filling ADDRESS:…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Sept. 30, 1789  Certainly the most significant & historic content is the page 3 report that: "The President of the United States has been pleased to nominate, and by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, to appoint, JOHN JAY, of New York, Chief Justice..." followed by a list of the Associate Judges of the Supreme Court as well.
Also of great significance are the other appointments listed: "Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, Edmund Randolph,…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 4, 1789  Mot of page 3 is taken up with reports on the: "Proceedings of Congress" with datlines of April 28, then April 29, under the latter are reports on preparations for Washington's inauguration.
These reports include: "The committees of both houses of Congress, appointed to take order for conducting the ceremonial of the formal reception, etc. of the President of the United States, have agreed to the following order thereon,…

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Sept. 24, 1778  The entire front page and part of the back page are taken up with a lengthy & very detailed account of the trial of General Burgoyne concerning his surrender of the post at Saratoga.
The report begins: "That this house will now resolve into a committee of the whole house to consider of the state & condition of the army which surrendered themselves on convention at Saratoga, in America; and also by what means that army…

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, Dec. 26, 1778  The entire front page and half of page 2 are taken up with the  second half of the: "Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between the Most Christian King and the United Starters of North America", this being the treaty of assistance between French and the colonies, which did much to support the American cause against the British and eventually lead to victory within 3 years.
At its conclusion if it signed in type by the American…

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…

THE DALLAS TIMES HERALD, Texas, November 22, 1963  Serious collectors always try to obtain historic newspapers from the city where the event happened. For JFK's assassination that would be a Dallas newspaper.
Of the two newspapers which published in Dallas in 1963 only the TIMES HERALD reported the assassination on the same day it happened--November 22--and only in their 2nd and 3rd editions. The MORNING NEWS, being a morning newspaper, reported the assassination in its November 23 issue.
…

THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE OR BRITISH EVENING POST, London, Oct. 12, 1776  Nearly half of the front page is taken up with a very fine account of the British landing on Long Island and their advance toward Manhattan Island, resulting in the historic Battle of Long Island. It is datelined: "Camp at New-Town, Long Island, September 3, 1776".
This is one of the best accounts of the Battle of Long Island we have seen, and great to have it on the front page. The lengthy report is signed at its…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Aug. 26, 1807  The back page has a very lengthy: "Proposals...For Publishing LEWIS and CLARK'S Tour to the Pacific Ocean, through the Interior of the Continent of North America..." noting the details that will be in "Volume First" as well as "Volume Second". And this is followed by another descriptive notice headed: "Lewis & Clark's Map of North America..." with many details. All this takes an entire column.
All of the front page is taken up with:…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Oct. 7, 1773  An extraordinary issue, as page 5 contains what might be the first periodical publication of one of Phillis Wheatley's poems, "On Imagination".
Wheatley was an American writer considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was kidnapped and subsequently sold into slavery at the age of 7 or 8 and transported to North America, where she was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned

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…

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…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, Aug. 6 1962  The banner head announces: "MARILYN MONROE DIES; PILLS BLAMED" with a subhead: "Unclad Body of Star Found on Bed Near Empty Capsule Bottle". Near the bottom of the ftpg. is: "Sad Child, Unhappy Star - Help She Needed to Find Self Eluded Marilyn All Her Life". Also a front page photo of Marilyn Monroe. Pages 2 & 3 have 13 photos relating to her life & death plus more articles.
Given that her fame was gained in Los Angeles and she died in Los Angeles, this could…

SOUTHERN RIGHTS, Jacksonville, Florida, Oct. 4, 1862  A fascinating issue with a story similar to that of the iconic Vicksburg Daily Citizen issue of July 4, 1863, when the Union troops found the newspaper still in the press, changed the final paragraph to report the Union takeover, and printed the issue.
This newspaper's story is found in a listing by the American Antiquarian Society:
"Captain Valentine B. Chamberlain was in command of a company of the 7th Connecticut Volunteers who found 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…

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…

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, July 16, 1789  Certainly one of the more desirable events to have in a period newspaper is the first inauguration of George Washington. American issues with such content are virtually unobtainable today, and reports in any newspapers worldwide are extremely uncommon.
Here is a nice report of this significant event found on page 2, datelined: "Extract of a Letter from New York, dated May 1" with the text giving more details on the inauguration than is found in…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Oct. 4, 1666  One of the greatest calamities and more notable events to strike London in its long history is the Great Fire which destroyed much of the city in September, 1666.  Finding period references to it are exceedingly difficult, as the number of newspapers publishing in 1666 was extremely small, this title certainly being the most significant.
Page 2 contains a brief report with a "Westminster" dateline of September 28, noting: "This day the House of…

KE KUMU HAWAII, Honolulu, Oahu, [Hawaii], Sept. 12, 1838
The very first newspaper in Hawaii was essentially a student newspaper, titled “Ka Lama Hawaii” (The Hawaiian Luminary), done by Protestant missionaries at their school at Lahainaluna on the island of Maui.
But it was just a few months later when the second newspaper in Hawaii–and considered the first “regular” newspaper on the islands–was published. “Ke Kumu Hawaii” began publication on Nov. 12, 1834 (some references cite an October…

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,…

THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787  

* Constitutional Convention begins
* George Washington elected president 

An exceedingly historic issue as this newspaper reports the formal beginning of the Constitutional Convention--terrific to have in a newspaper from the city where these notable proceedings were held.
As such, this is likely the first newspaper to report this event, which significantly includes the election of George Washington as its…

"An Astronomical Diary Or An ALMANACK..." for the year 1738, printed in Boston by John Draper.  This is a great rarity, and one of the earliest American imprints we have been fortunate enough to offer in many years. Complete in 16 pages, some wear at the margins which is typical of almanacs (heavily used), rounding of a lower corner, a few indents at right margins, generally in good condition for an almanac. Measures 4 1/2 by 6 3/4 inches.

SPOONER'S VERMONT JOURNAL, Windsor, Dec. 8, 1794  Certainly the prime content takes most of page 3, being the: "SPEECH Of His Excellency George Washington, Esq." to Congress, which was his annual state-of-the-union address. It is signed in type at its conclusion: Geo. Washington. Within the address, Washington notes the issues of the day, the events of 1794, and some thoughts about the future.
The presidential annual address was a tradition that began with Washington and continues to this…

THE IREDELL EXPRESS, Statesville, North Carolina, Dec. 3, 1863  A very rare Confederate newspaper. Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers" notes it began in 1857 with an unknown ending date, however one institution has an issue from April, 1865. Gregory lists a total of just 4 known dates (known are Dec. 3, 1863), although the Am. Antiquarian Society also records two issues.
Various Civil War reports on on page 3 including: "For the 4th Regiment "Gov. Vance's Message" "A Buck in Camp"…

DAILY EVENING TRAVELLER, Boston, April 3, 1865  A terrific issue as the front page features one of the best single-column stack of headlines we've seen for this event, noting both that Petersburg has been evacuated, and--more significantly--a same-day report on the capture of Richmond, the Confederate capital.
As can be seen in the photos the stack of heads includes two patriotic graphics, with type size that is much larger than normal and taking nearly a full column on this larger-size…

Large sheepskin document from England "This Indenture" in ornate lettering at the top with engravings within, dated near the top: "...in the year of or Lord one thousand seven hunbdred and forty-two..." followed by various details. There are five red wax seals next to signatures at the bottom.
This is an unusual two page document with a blue embossed tax stamp in the margin on each.
This document folds out to measure 22 by 29 inches. Several folds, very handsome handwriting, nice condition. A…

GAZETTE, Paris, France, Feb. 2, 1641  (date listed at the bottom of the back page).  This title was the very first regular newspaper published in France, started in 1631 by Théophraste Renaudot but with influential backing by the powerful Cardinal de Richelieu. All the text is in French with the first letter in the title containing embellishments. An ornate letter begins the first paragraph on the front page.
Four pages, 8 3/4 by 6 1/2 inches, in great condition. One of the earliest dated…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Feb. 19, 1684  (1685 by today's calendar)  The front page has a report from Edinburgh mentioning the arrival of: "...the most sorrowful news of the death of our late Gracious Sovereign..." and also on the front page is a document beginning: "For as much as it hath pleased the Almighty God to call CHARLES the Second...from a Temporary Crown to inherit an Eternal in the Heavens..." and mention of the succession of James Seventh (actually James II).
Pages 2, 3 and 4…

THE BATTERY, Washington, Aug. 17 1848  This was a campaign newspaper supporting Zachary Taylor for President and Millard Fillmore for Vice President.
In the era before radio, television, and the internet it was not uncommon for political parties to create short-lived newspapers to support their candidate and publicize their political platform. Such newspapers were short-lived; once the election was over so was the newspaper, however some titles existed for some months afterward.
This is the #7…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, Dec. 9, 1790  Page 3 has an article on the first meeting of Congress on December 6, 1790 at the temporary capital at Philadelphia since it's move from New York City. "...Monday last being the day appointed for the meeting of the National legislature, in this city, now the seat of government of the United States, thirty-one members of the House of Representatives assembled in the hall, in Chestnut Street, which number not being sufficient to…

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, July 24, 1783  The entire front page and most of page 4 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy letters from General Washington during the war.
It is headed: "His Excellency General WASHINGTON'S LETTER to the several States which compose the American Republic - CIRCULAR" datelined at Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 11th, 1783.
This famous letter begins: "The great object for which I had the honour to hold an appointment in the service of my country being…

NEW ORLEANS ITEM--2nd EXTRA, Aug. 14, 1945  Certainly one of the more dramatic issues on the end of World War II to be found, with the entire top half of the front page taken up with "P E A C E !" in huge, bold letters, measuring 8 1/2 inches tall. The subhead reads: "Japs Accept Allied Terms".
Eight pages, very nice condition, and certainly a terrific issue for display.

KA ELELE (The Messenger). Honolulu, Oahu, Sept. 24, 1846. Buke 2 (Vol. 2), Pepa (no.) 12.   This is an exceptionally scarce original Hawaiian-language newspaper published during the constitutional era of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Edited under the direction of Rev. Richard Armstrong, Ka Elele ranks among the earliest and most important newspapers printed for Native Hawaiian readers. Appearing at a time when Hawaii possessed one of the world's highest literacy rates, the newspaper served as a…

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, Oct. 18, 1775

* General George Washington
* Named Commander-in-Chief 
* Continental Army - British reaction

The front page begins with a nice item from London concerning George Washington: "General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any salary, and is to attend to the hazardous and arduous duty allotted him from principle only. A most noble example & worthy of imitation in Great Britain, particularly at this time…

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE & THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Jan. 25, 1781  

* Two John Hancock signatures
* Richard Langdon signature (President of Harvard) 

A very handsome issue as the masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere for colonial currency at the time. It is a very patriotic device showing a soldier with a sword in one hand and a scroll with 'Independence' in the other, with the words 'Appeal To Heaven" above him.
Most of the front page is taken up with a…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET OR THE GENERAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, May 2, 1782  

* American Revolutionary War

The front page begins with a lengthy report headed: "Office of Finance" signed by: Robert Morris. 
Page 2 begins with a very fine & detailed letter from Col. Stewart to Earl Cornwallis dated Sept. 9, 1781, being an account of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, as reported in the London Gazette. The first paragraph notes: "...have the honor to inform your Lordship that on the 8th

THE INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE AND THE UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Boston, Dec. 6, 1781  The masthead features an engraving taken from one done by Paul Revere, showing a soldier holding a sword and a document inscribed "Independence" while standing beneath a banner inscribed "Appeal To Heaven" and surrounded by ornate embellishments.

The entire front page & a bit of page 2 are taken up with: "The Revolution of America, by the Abbe Raynal. Distressed State of England in 1768."

Page 3 has various reports…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET, Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1779

* Ethan Allen captivity
* Revolutionary War original

 Most of the front page is taken up with an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, prefaced with a paragraph signed in type by the Clerk of the General Assembly, none other than: Thomas Paine.
Page 3 has yet another Act which is prefaced with an intro signed: Thomas Paine. 
All of page 4 is taken up with the continued "Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen's Treatment during his Captivity." which is…

THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE and GENERAL ADVERTISER, Portsmouth, Feb. 23, 1782

* Rare publication during Revolutionary War

 This is certainly one of the less common titles from the Revolutionary War era.
Page 2 has a letter that notes in part: "...the Americans might yet be brought back to a constitutional subordination to this country!...". Also: "The troops destined for the American reinforcement for the campaign of 1782 are not yet finally determined on; but it is agreed on all hands that it is…

TOMBSTONE PROSPECTOR, Arizona, June 4, 1889  

* Very rare wild West publication
* Gunfight at the O.K. Corral fame

We have had a few other newspapers from the iconic Old West town of Tombstone, but this is perhaps the most uncommon. The masthead features a great engraving of a miner on a mule.
The content is much as would be expected from a mining town, including many legal notices concerning mines, etc. A wealth of ads as well.
Four pages, various chipping near the bottom margin of the back leaf,…

THE CONNECTICUT JOURNAL, New Haven, October 11, 1781 

* American Revolutionary War original
* American Issac Hayne's execution - hanging

Most of the front page is taken up with various correspondences from and to C. Fraser, Isaac Hayne, Lord Rawdon & John Collock, with a prefacing note: "The following are authentic copies of sundry papers which  Col. Isaac Hayne, two days before his execution, delivered to a friend with an injunction...".
Col. Isaac Hayne was one of the most prominent Americans to…

THE PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL & THE WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1781  A wonderfully historic issue and nicely presented, as the details of Cornwallis surrendering to Washington at Yorktown, essentially ending the Revolutionary War.
The entire middle column of the front page is Washington's historic letter, dated at "Head-Quarters, near York, 19th October. 1781" and beginning: "Sir, I have the honor to inform Congress, that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord…

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

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 WATCHMAN, Oswego, New York, February, 1850  Almost nothing is known about this title. It is not listed in Gregory's "Union List of American Newspapers", nothing can be found on the internet, and the Am. Antiquarian Society has but this same issue, with no known information as to how long it might have lasted. There is no issue or volume numbering, however we suspect this was the first (and perhaps only) issue as the front page begins be defining their purpose: "Object Of This Sheet" "The…