Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE, Boston, August 31, 1769 printed with THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, August 31, 1769  Both newspapers were published by Richard Draper on Thursday. A partnership with John Green and Joseph Russell printed the "Boston Post-Boy & Advertiser" on Mondays.

Both titles are printed on the same sheet of paper (each s single sheet; verified when held to the light) and were meant to be separated for individual sale & distribution. But this pair was not, hence the interesting

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,…

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, November, 1776  This issue begins with "Proceedings in the House  of Commons..." which includes discussion on the Revolutionary War, including: "...Nothing could have afforded me so much satisfaction as to have been able to inform you...that the troubles which have so long distracted my colonies in North America were at an end; and that my unhappy people, recovered from their delusion, had delivered themselves from the oppression of their leaders, & returned to…

THE CONTINENTAL JOURNAL & WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Boston, Nov. 19, 1778  Page 2 has over half a column concerning the historic duel between Generals Robert Howe and Gadsden, bot notable figures in the Revolutionary War.
The duel stemmed from a dispute over command of Continental troops in South Carolina. Gadsden, a local hero, had taken command during Howe's absence, and when Howe returned, Gadsden questioned the terms of his recall and argued for retaining command. The situation escalated into a…

FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER, New York, Dec. 5, 1863  The front page shows: "The War In Tennessee--Lookout Mountain & its Vicinity..." plus other war-related illustrations within, including scenes of Brownsville & Matamoras, Texas and more.
The great, tipped-in (preferred) doublepage centerfold is captioned: "The Consecration of the Great National Cemetery Near Gettysburg, Nov. 19 by Abraham Lincoln...". As an appropriate complement to this centerfold is text on the events at: "The…

John Hancock signature... A few weeks prior to his most famous...

THE AMERICAN GAZETTE; OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL JOURNAL, Salem, Massachusetts, June 25, 1776  

* Very rare Revolutionary War publication
* Volume 1 Number 2 issue - great year to have

This is the volume one, number two issue of a very rare newspaper. Its rarity would seem to be sufficient for its desirability, as it existed for only seven weekly issues, from June 18 thru July 30, 1776. 
But the content is nice as well, particularly given that this issue was printed just 9 days before the Declaration…

THE CRISIS, Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1863  This anti-war newspaper insisted slavery should not be abolished, so consequently, much content has an anti-North bias.
Articles within include: "Civil Libery of the Soldiers" "Another Draft" "The Republican & Rebel Allies North & South" "The Coming Congress to Abolish Slavery" "The Morals of Abolitionism" "Lincoln A Shakspearian Critic" includes a letter signed by him: A. Lincoln; "The American Freeman's 'Petition of Right' " "The American Question

SPOONER'S VERMONT JOURNAL, Windsor, Dec. 28, 1795  Almost the entire front page is taken up with the President's: "SPEECH" being George Washington's annual state-of-the-union address for the year 1795, a tradition he started in his first administration and which continues to this day.
The "Speech" is prefaced with: "This day, precisely at 12 o'clock, The President of the United States met both Houses of Congress in the hall of the Representatives, and addressed them in the following...". 
Page 2…

THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL: of the NORTH AMERICAN INTELLIENCER, Philadelphia, May 9, 1781  Page 3 has a report from New York on the celebration of the British victory at Guilford Court House, North Carolina: "Last Saturday...a feu de joie was fired here, by all the troops in garrison, in consequence of the victory obtained by the British troops over the rebel army at Guilford court house...the 15th of March last...".
Also a letter from General Baron Steuben from Virginia noting in part: "...I…

THE WESTMINSTER MAGAZINE, London, July, 1776  Certainly a very uncommon title from the 18th century, formatted much like the more common 'Gentleman's Magazine" or the era.
An inside page has a great document headed: "American United Colonies, In Congress, May 15, 1776" which is a statement concerning the lack of ability to give allegiance to the King and the desire to authorize each of the 13 colonies to form a new provincial government. It is signed in type by the President: John Hancock.
This…

BOSTON DAILY JOURNAL, April 14, 1865  This is one of those fascinating newspapers that "reports" one of the great ironies in American history.
This was the date when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while attending a performace of "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Page 3 of this newspaper has an advertisement for the Boston Theatre, noting: "This (Friday) Evening Benefit and Positively Last Night of EDWIN BOOTH who will appear as Sir Edward Mortimer..."To-Morrow…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 5, 1841  

* President William Henry Harrison inauguration
* Inaugural address - best title to be had (rare)

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…

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…

THE PROTESTANT (DOMESTICK) INTELLIGENCE, Or News both from CITY AND COUNTRY, London, England, April 2, 1680  Here is a rare opportunity to purchase a newspaper by Benjamin Harris. Harris was the first newspaper publisher in the colonies, having published "Public Occurrences Both Forreign & Domestick" in Boston in 1690. It lasted for only one issue, and to this day only one issue of that newspaper has been found.
Before emigrating to the colonies, he published this newspaper in London, but he…

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 POLYNESIAN, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, Jan. 18, 1845  One of the earliest newspapers we have offered from Hawaii, and fourteen years earlier than the few of this title we offered in recent years.
The "first series" of this title existed for just 1 1/2 years from 1840 to 1841. It proved unprofitable and was shut down. The editor reestablished the paper under the same title in May, 1844. Two months later, it became the "Official Journal of the Hawaiian Government" and remained so until…

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 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 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…

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…

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 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…

NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 8, 1806  Page 2 has a somewhat brief yet very noteworthy report concerning Lewis & Clark and their exploration party. 
It is an "Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at St. Charles to his friend in Washington..." and reads: "I have the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of captains Lewis and Clark. They were the first white people that ever visited that country. By the best accounts they could get, there are about ninety or one hundred thousand inhabitants (Indians) on…

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…

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.
…

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,…

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 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 WEEKLY HERALD, New York, March 11, 1865  The front page features a large Civil War map headed: "CAPTURE OF THE REBEL GENERAL EARLY. Sheridan's Ne Movement Up the Shenandoah--It Success--The Race for Lynchburg--Tightening of the Lines Around Richmond." Much related report on the war events as well.
But the prime content is the report on Lincoln's second inauguration, with front page column heads: "WASHINGTON" "Second Inauguration of President Lincoln" "Scenes at the White House, in the…

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

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…

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"…

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…

THE VILLAGE VOICE, New York, April 13, 1961 

* Bob Dylan - Robert Allen Zimmerman
* Very 1st public performance advertisement
* Gerde's Folk City music venue in Greenwich Village

An exceedingly significant newspaper which offers witness to the birth of the music career of the legendary Bob Dylan. And perhaps no better title exists for this content. Indeed, this notice may only have appeared in the Village Voice.
First, it is worth noting that "The Village Voice" was an American news and culture…

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, December, 1781

* Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
* Surrender at Yorktown VA Virginia
* Revolutionary War from the enemy

Certainly the most historic report in this issue--and perhaps in any issue from the Revolutionary War--is that near the back of the issue under the "Historical Chronicle". It begins with an editorial comment: "Gen. Washington's letter to the President of Congress on the surrender of the British army under Lord Cornwallis is truly…

"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.

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Aug. 25, 1862  On page 4 is one of the more famous letters from Abraham Lincoln, being his reply to Horace Greeley's editorial of August 20, "A Prayer of Twenty Millions", which urged emancipation.
Lincoln replies in his letter with his famous quote: "My paramount object...is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do…

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…

MIST'S WEEKLY JOURNAL, London, March 25, 1727  When it comes to notable deaths of the world, they don't get too much better than this.
Page 2 has a simple, yet powerful report noting simply: "Died, Sir Isaac Newton, the greatest Mathematician that the World ever knew."
Isaac Newton was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author widely recognized as one of the greatest mathematicians and physicists of all time and among the most influential scientists. 
Terri…

THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 1, 1776  There were but a few masthead engravings of the 18th century which were created by Paul Revere. The "Massachusetts Spy" is perhaps the most famous, plus there is the engraving in the "Boston Gazette" as well, with these two newspapers being among the most common, in a relative sense. But even these are quite rare.
Revere also created the masthead for the Essex Journal, very few examples of which are found on…

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…

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…