A "red, white & blue" Fourth of July issue... an interesting curiosity...

Item # 717565

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July 04, 1890

WILLIAMSPORT REPUBLICAN, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1890 Printed at the top above the masthead: "FOURTH OF JULY EDITION"
This is the complete issue which in celebration of the 4th of July opted to replace the typical black ink with alternating pages of red and blue, meaning pages 1, 4, 5 & 8 are printed entirely in blue ink, while pages 2, 3, 6 & 7 are entirely in red ink, which along with the white paper results in a special 4th of July red, white & blue newspaper.
Content and format are typical of the day with the addition of some Fourth of July-themed articles and most of page 3 is devoted to "The City of Williamsport...Our Beautiful City".
Eight pages, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin tears particularly at the spine, otherwise quite nice.
An interesting and unusual curiosity for any newspaper collection.

background: The July 4, 1890 issue of the Williamsport Republican is a striking example of patriotic newspaper printing from the late 19th century, featuring a special red and blue inked edition in celebration of Independence Day. The masthead and key design elements are printed in duo-color ink—a rarity for the time—demonstrating both technological novelty and a deliberate display of national pride. The front page includes a mix of local news, national commentary, and celebratory content, with decorative flourishes such as patriotic emblems, borders, or flags. This edition likely served not only as a news source but also as a commemorative keepsake for readers, reflecting the deep civic enthusiasm surrounding July Fourth during the post-Civil War era. Its existence also corrects or enriches current archival records, suggesting the Williamsport Republican may have had earlier roots or issued special editions prior to its commonly recorded 1891 start date.

Category: Post-Civil War