Coffee House (UK)
What we now refer to as "coffee-house newspapers" were originally distributed within 17th and 18th century English coffeehouses. For the price of a penny, customers purchased a cup of coffee and admission, which typically included a newspaper - often printed specifically for their patrons. Socially similar to English alehouses, the absence of alcohol created an atmosphere in which one could engage in more serious conversation as they perused their newspaper (source: adapted from Wikipedia). Many of these original coffeehouse newspapers are available for sale and are shown below. Please enjoy.Coffee House (UK)
What we now refer to as "coffee-house newspapers" were originally distributed within 17th and 18th century English coffeehouses. For the price of a penny, customers purchased a cup of coffee and admission, which typically included a newspaper - often printed specifically for their patrons. Socially similar to English alehouses, the absence of alcohol created an atmosphere in which one could engage in more serious conversation as they perused their newspaper (source: adapted from Wikipedia). Many of these original coffeehouse newspapers are available for sale and are shown below. Please enjoy.
From the 1600's by a woman publisher... Joanna Brome...
Item #697919
THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, Jan. 25, 1681 * Rare publication
* Woman publisher
A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing, particularly with the over 340 year-old date clearly visible in the dateline.
The most intriguing aspect of... See More
From the 1600's by a woman publisher... Joanna Brome...
Item #600518
THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, 1682 A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This early singlesheet newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing (see photo) particularly with the over 300+ year old date clearly visible in the dateline.This is a handsome dialogue newspaper founded by Sir ... See More
From the 1600's by a woman publisher... Joanna Brome...
Item #663842
THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, July 25, 1682 A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing, particularly with the over 340-year old date clearly visible in the dateline.The most intriguing aspect of this issue is the imprint at the bott... See More
17th century woman publisher...
Item #698684
November 04, 1682
THE OBSERVATOR, London, Nov. 4, 1682
* Rare publication
* Woman publisher
This is a handsome dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. Done in a dialogue format, between Whig & Tory. This early single sheet newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing, but the most intriguing aspect of thi... See More
Handsome, 300+ year old newspaper... published by Charles Brome...
Item #601055
THE OBSERVATOR, London, England, 1684-1686 A dialogue newspaper founded by Sir Roger L'Estrange, a Tory pamphleteer, as a vehicle for attacking dissenters and Whigs. This early singlesheet newspaper has the old style type making it great for framing (see photo) particularly with the over 300+ year old date clearly visible in the dateline.Note: These issues were published by Charles Bro... See More
Over 330 years old...
Item #649262
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY by John Dunton, London, England, 1692-1694. This was a fine gentleman's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide range of topics & one of the earliest periodicals in English. Partially in question/answer format. This newspaper was published before any American newspapers even existed.A single sheet newspaper... See More
Over 325 years old...
Item #120350
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY by John Dunton, London, England, 1692-1694. This was a fine gentleman's newspaper which was very popular in the coffeehouses of early England. Interesting reading on a wide range of topics & one of the earliest periodicals in English. Partially in question/answer format. This newspaper was published before any American newspapers even existed. A single sheet newspaper ... See More
Very first of the advice column newspapers...
Item #697414
March 05, 1692
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, March 5, 1692
* Rare 17th century publication
This was the very first of the "agony aunt" newspapers, a newspaper providing personal advice to its readers.
In creating this format of responding to questions from readers, the publisher, John Dunton, did so as a result of feeling guilty for cheating on his wife. He thought that people like himself... See More
John Marshall, a pioneer in the world of spectacles & optics...
Item #698987
November 19, 1692
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Nov. 19, 1692
* Rare 17th century publication
* Early optician, John Marshall ad
One of just four advertisements on the back page is a quite lengthy & descriptive ad beginning: "At the sign of the Archimedes and Spectacles in Ludgate street, the West End of St. Paul's Church, London, by John Marshal are made all manner of prospective glasses... See More
Advertisement on the Salem witch trials...
Item #710309
February 07, 1693
THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, Feb. 7, 1693
* Rare Salem witch trials advertisement
* Very early and rare 17th century title
The back page has an advertisement for the book: "The Second Edition of the late TRYALS of several WITCHES in New-England. Written by Cotton Mather, and Published by the Special Command of the Governour."
This is the only periodical (similar ads ... See More
A variant and short-lived title...
Item #120190
THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England 1704-1706 A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal", and much less common. A single sheet newspaper printed on both sides measuring about 8 by 13 inches. The image shown is only an example of the layout and condition of what you will receive. Actual issues vary within the specifications given.N... See More
A variant and short-lived title...
Item #649223
THE REHEARSAL OF OBSERVATOR, London, England 1704-1706 A variant title --& earlier date--of the newspaper titled "The Rehearsal", and much less common. A single sheet newspaper printed on both sides measuring 8 by 13 inches. The image shown is only an example of the layout and condition of what you will receive. Actual issues vary within the specifications given.Note: U... See More
Short-lived newspaper with an interesting title from 1708...
Item #120202
THE BRITISH APOLLO, OR CURIOUS AMUSEMENTS FOR THE INGENIOUS and subtitled: "To Which are Added the Most Material Occurrences Foreign and Domestick". Published in London, and "Perform'd by a Society of Gentlemen" as noted in the masthead, the date is 1708. The British Apollo appeared twice a week until issue 79, and then three times a week. A popular paper edited by Aaron Hi... See More
Rare Daniel DeFoe periodical... Only a few remain within our inventory...
Item #207535
A REVIEW OF THE STATE OF THE BRITISH NATION, London, 1708 From research done by the prestigious London rare book firm of Pickering & Chatto, this is one of Daniel Defoe's greatest, but least known works. The Review covered his many interests, both literary and historical and was published twice and later three times a week. The reason for the neglect of this work is due in part to the tiny... See More
One of the less common, early titles...
Item #597046
May 15, 1708
THE REHEARSAL, London, May 15, 1708
* Rare 18th century title
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Content is discussion of various topics. Unusual & seldom found. 12 3/4 by 7 1/4 inches. Minor archival mend on the reverse, very nice condition.
... See More
* Rare 18th century title
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Content is discussion of various topics. Unusual & seldom found. 12 3/4 by 7 1/4 inches. Minor archival mend on the reverse, very nice condition.
One of the less common, early titles...
Item #597162
May 19, 1708
THE REHEARSAL, London, May 19, 1708
* Rare 18th century title
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Content is discussion of various topics as listed just above the dateline. Unusual & seldom found. 12 3/4 by 7 1/4 inches. Minor archival mend on the reverse, very nice co
... See More
* Rare 18th century title
A fine single sheet newspaper which lasted only 6 years. By Charles Leslie, considered a violent controversialist who was virtually inextinguishable. Content is discussion of various topics as listed just above the dateline. Unusual & seldom found. 12 3/4 by 7 1/4 inches. Minor archival mend on the reverse, very nice co
Short-lived newspaper with an interesting title...
Item #704429
June 03, 1709
THE BRITISH APOLLO, OR CURIOUS AMUSEMENTS FOR THE INGENIOUS and subtitled: "To Which are Added the Most Material Occurrences Foreign and Domestick". Published in London, and "Perform'd by a Society of Gentlemen" as noted in the masthead June 3, 1709.
This newspaper existed for less than 4 years. Readers were invited to send in questions on any subject whatsoever, and the e... See More
Early and notable 18th century title... Addison & Steele...
Item #649221
THE SPECTATOR, London, England, 1711 One of the more famous of the early newspapers and by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, trimmed, some light browning. A single sheet issue measuring 8 by 11 1/2 inches. Red ink stamps do not appear to be present.
Early and notable 18th century title... Addison & Steele...
Item #120488
THE SPECTATOR, London, England, 1711 One of the more famous of the early newspapers and by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, trimmed, some light browning. A single sheet issue measuring 8 by 11 1/2 inches. Red ink stamps do not appear to be present.
Famous title from the early 1700's...
Item #120185
THE SPECTATOR, London, 1711-1712 (untrimmed) One of the most famous of the early newspapers & by the famed Addison & Steele. Nice condition, some foxing, single sheet. The image shown is representative of the condition and look of the issue you will receive. Actual dates vary but will be dated within 1711 or 1712. Note: No red ink stamps are present.
A Free Thinker's Religion... On Conjugal Love...
Item #647194
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1732 The issue begins with 26 pages of "A View of the Weekly Disputes & Essays in this Month". This section has various reports from the many newspapers in England including the London Journal, The Craftsman, Applebee's Journal, Universal Spectator, Fog's Journal, the Free Briton, the Weekly Register, and more. These newspa... See More
A title rarely offered...
Item #706403
May 13, 1732
THE UNIVERSAL SPECTATOR & WEEKLY JOURNAL, London, May 13, 1732
* Rare 18th century publication
An early and uncommon title from England. Although the news is mostly European there are two bits from America: "Col. Phipps, a native of, and resident in New England, is appointed Lieutenant Governor of the province of the Massachusetts Bay..." with the decease of Jonathan Belcher. A... See More
Rare 18th century title....
Item #595223
THE UNIVERSAL SPECTATOR & WEEKLY JOURNAL, London, March 2, 1734 A very uncommon & early title we have only seen once in our 35+ years in this business. The four pages contain various news from London & elsewhere, plus letters and some advertisements which take up the entire back page. Measures about 10 by 13 1/2 inches, water staining & some foxing.
Settling Georgia...
Item #616459
THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1735 Near the back is a section headed: "Monthly Intelligencer" with news reports from various parts of England & Europe with one report under the heading: "Plantation Affairs" including: "From Georgia, that the 27th of December last the Indian Princes...arriv'd there in good health, pleas'd with their voyage. ... See More
If you are searching for a newspaper from a specific date, please note that we have a vast selection available for purchase by using the date picker on our
gifts and birthday newspapers page.