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Original London Gazette newspaper from 1674...
Original London Gazette newspaper from 1674...
Item # 724297
August 17, 1674
THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, Aug. 17, 1674
* Among the earliest of English language newspapers to be had
* Hold something in your hands from the 17th 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 printed on very high quality paper with much cotton & linen fiber content.
The issue is filled with various news of the day from various cities in Europe, each report with its own dateline, and even includes a few "Advertisements" on the back page. Given its small size this would be a nice newspaper for framing & display with the 351 year old date prominent at the top. Minor light foxing, nice condition.
AI notes: The London Gazette, first issued in 1665 as The Oxford Gazette and renamed in 1666 when publication moved to London, is one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the world and served as the official journal of record for the British government, printing proclamations, military dispatches, and commercial notices. Early 17th-century issues were printed on small folio sheets, often just one or two pages, in extremely limited runs of a few hundred copies, and were not intended for general circulation, making them highly ephemeral. Because of their age and limited print numbers, surviving copies are exceedingly rare, with most now preserved only in institutions like the British Library or Bodleian Library, while private collectors prize them for both historical significance and scarcity. These early issues document critical events such as the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666, and their rarity, combined with the insight they offer into 17th-century government and society, means that even a single well-preserved issue can command substantial value, often in the thousands of pounds or dollars, reflecting their status as both historical artifacts and collectible items.
Category: British
Available Now
$46.00
