Historic Newspapers: The Best of the Best

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 1, 1787  

* Historic United States Constitution 
* Constitutional Convention - Congress
* President George Washington signs 

Here is one of the more historic and desirable newspapers to be had on the creation of the government of the United States--The Constitution of the United States was approved by Congress. This, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are likely the most historic 18th century documents to have in an…

THE HOUSTON DAILY POST, Texas, January 11, 1901

* If ever there was a single newspaper which heralded the birth of the oil industry in America, this is it.

Although discoveries were made in various locations long before this date, this discovery--to be known as Spindletop--marked the emergence of the oil industry at a time when the automobile and other industries were experiencing rapid growth, coinciding with the need for this new product.
If you or your family have ties to the early…

THE PENNSYLVANIA PACKET & DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1789  

* Ratification of the "Bill of Rights" - Congress
* United States Constitution - Amendments

Arguably the most significant documents of late 18th century in American history would be the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This issue contains the latter, printed in its entirety as submitted to the states for ratification.
In September of 1789 the U.S. Congress passed and sent…

Terrific broadside: "Natural And Political History of THE GERRY-MANDER! In Two Chapters.....With Cuts."

* Extremely rare broadside
* Eldridge Gerry - Gerrymandering
* Essex County, Massachusetts redistricting
* Republicans & upcoming state elections 

Information from dealer Barry Lawrence Ruderman notes:
"Rare political broadside featuring the first political cartoon in American history to visualize and satirize gerrymandering, one of the most enduring distortions of democratic representation.

THE NEW JERSEY GAZETTE, Trenton, April 29, 1778  

* The Articles of Confederation (historic)
* American Revolutionary War

This was the very first newspaper in New Jersey, having begun in December, 1777. This is issue number 22.
There are only a handful of documents in American history which can be considered cornerstones in the creation of our national government, which would include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution among a few others…

THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL, Rhode Island, July 29, 1775  In the world of American Revolutionary literature and manuscripts three bodies of work stand out: 1) Thomas Paine's Common Sense; 2) the Declaration of Independence; and 3) the earliest of the Revolutionary trinity: The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms.
All of the front page and a bit of page 2 are taken up with this latter document, signed in type by John Hancock. This document is rarely offered in a period American…

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, August 19, 1675  

* King Philip's War - Metacomet
* New England Colonists vs. Indians
* First war in America (historic)

The significance of what is known as "King Philip's War" is lost with most Americans, but the event cannot be over-stated.
This was America's first war, and the only newspaper in existence to report it was this title. As Wikipedia notes, this was an armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day New England and English…

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, Sept. 8, 1854  

* Extremely rare publication

We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
Among the articles: "The Results of Emancipation" "The Fugitive Slave Act--Proposition For Its Repeal" "What Becomes of the Free Colored People" "Colored Emigration Convention" "Aid To Fugitives"…

THE DAILY CITIZEN, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2, 1863  

* Most sought Confederate newspaper to be had ?

A fascinating newspaper and arguably the most famous of any newspaper printed on Confederate soil, not just for being printed on the back of wallpaper (some others were as well) but because of the circumstances which surrounded the creation of this issue.
The story of this newspaper is intriguing, well-known to serious collectors. However, this is an issue printed before Yankee troops…

THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, September, 1787  

* Philadelphia printing of the Constitution of the United States

This title, along with the "American Museum", has the honor of being the first magazine to print the Constitution of the United States. Both publications were from Philadelphia, the city where the Constitution was created.
Comments from the Library Company of Philadelphia note that it cannot be definitively determined which of these two publications was the first to…

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, October 2, 1932 

* Babe Ruth's called shot (first report)
* New York Yankees World Series (game 3)
* Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field
* Best title to be had - very rare

This could well be the most desired newspaper in baseball history. This edition reports the famous Babe Ruth "called shot" home run in the 1932 World Series.
As a bit of background, the following is on the Baseball Hall of Fame website:

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, May 20, 1852 

* Extremely rare publication

We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
Much of page 2 is taken up with: "The Annual Meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society". Page 3 has a: "Letter of Frederick Douglass to Gerrit Smith, Esq., Respecting Lewis Kossuth" signed in…

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 15th---9 A. M.  

* Terrific Abraham Lincoln assassination broadside
* First edition just after the announcement of death

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were…

PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 11, 1775

* The Battles of Lexington and Concord
* Start of American Revolutionary War

This is a gem of an issue, as it is what all serious collectors seek for their Revolutionary War collection: an American newspaper with a terrific report on the famous battles at Lexington and Concord.
This page 3 report, datelined from Salem, April 25, begins: "Last Wednesday the troops of his Britanic Majesty commenced hostilities upon the people of this…

JAMESTOWN JOURNAL, EXTRA, Jamestown, New York, April 7, (1865)  

* General Robert E. Lee's surender
* End of the American Civil War
* Very rare Broadside edition 

Within the world of newspaper collecting, both major reports and graphic headlines are primary in determining collectability. Other factors are important as well, but the more notable the event and the "flashier" the graphic appeal, the more desirable the item.
Broadsides tend to dominate such items. They were printed very…

THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE (with Supplement), Williamsburg, Mar. 17, 1775 

* Very rare Colonial Virginia publication
* Election of Patrick Henry

 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.
The entire front page is a terrific letter: "To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Virginia" relating the treasonous action of the "...eleven polluted…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, September 11, 1790  

* President George Washington 
* Address received and response 
* Brethren of King David's Lodge
* Newport, Rhode Island lodge 
* Masonic - Jewish - Jews - Judaica 

This is a very significant newspaper.  The middle column on the back page (page 4) contains the: "Address of the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of King David's Lodge to George Washington, President of the United States of America" signed in type by committee…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, August 29, 1789 

* U.S. Congress version of the "Bill of Rights"
* United States Constitution - Amendments
* Presidents George Washington & John Adams

This is a very significant issue, as page 2 contains an early version of the historic Bill of Rights.
As a brief history, the Constitution was signed in September 1787 and sent to the Congress. Eleven days later, it was submitted to the states for ratification. But as the people began to examine…

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' PAPER, Rochester, New York, June 17, 1852  We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare--and highly desirable--newspaper by the famed Frederick Douglass. This weekly title is the continuation of his newspaper "North Star" which began in 1847.
Douglass was perhaps the most famous 19th century African-American abolitionist who escaped from slavery and then risked his freedom by becoming an outspoken antislavery lecturer, writer, and publisher.
Among the various articles in…

THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, Feb. 13, 1788

* United States Constitution
* Ratification of the states
* Pillar illustration - cartoon

This is one of the most desired & elusive issues of this  title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons". The only other newspaper we have discovered that used the pillar cartoons is the Independent Chronicle, also from Boston.
 Russell, the publisher, devised a cartoon showing each state as a column for the new federal…

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…

EVENING STAR, Washington, D.C., April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (historic 1st report)
* It is BEST to have reports from the city where it occurred

Terrific to have this first report of Lincoln's assassination in a newspaper from the city where it happened. This is the first of this issue we have offered.
The top of the front page has a column with heads: "ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT" "Attempted Murder Of Secretary Seward And Sons". The report begins: "Last evening…

THE DAILY CITIZEN, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2 (4), 1863  A fascinating newspaper and arguably the most famous of any newspaper printed on Confederate soil, not just for being printed on the back of wallpaper (many others were as well) but because of the circumstances which surrounded the creation of this issue.
This newspaper was edited and published by J. M. Swords. As the Union siege of this strategic city wore on, his supply of paper ran out, so the publisher resorted to the use of…

THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, March 1, 1788

* United States Constitution
* State of New Hampshire
* Pillar illustration - cartoon

  This is one of the most desired & elusive issues of this  title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons". The only other newspaper we have discovered that used the pillar cartoons is the Independent Chronicle, also from Boston.
 Russell, the publisher, devised a cartoon showing each state as a column for the new "federal…

RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER; or, the CONNECTICUT, HUDSON'S RIVER, NEW-JERSEY, and QUEBEC WEEKLY ADVERTISER, New York, Aug. 24, 1775

* Olive Branch Petition
* Patriots are considered traitors 
* Printed by James Rivington
* American Revolutionary War
 
Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking over a full column of page 1 and a bit of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
This was one of the more historic documents of the war, adopted by the Second…

THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, January 16, 1788  

* United States Constitution
* State of Massachusetts
* Pillars illustration - cartoon

This is one of the more desired & elusive issues of this  title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons". The only other newspaper we have discovered that used the pillar cartoons is the Independent Chronicle, also from Boston.
 Russell, the publisher, devised a cartoon showing each state as a column for the new "federal…

SANDWICH ISLAND GAZETTE & JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, Honolulu, Oahu, Aug. 20, 1836  

* Very rare publication
* 1st English language

This was the very first English language newspaper published in Hawaii, known as the Sandwich Islands at that time. It is the volume 1, number 4 issue. It was preceded by only two Hawaiian language newspapers, which began in 1834, with this title being the first English-language newspaper printed in the Hawaiian Islands - and the first to include commercial advertising.
 
The…

THE SALEM GAZETTE, Massachusetts, December 20, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

This issue contains one of the most historically significant letters from the Revolutionary War, being Cornwallis' official announcement of his surrender to Washington at the Battle of Yorktown.
The report begins on the front page no less, prefaced with: "I am directed to send you the enclosed letter from Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis, to his Excellency the…

THE DAILY JOURNAL, Wilmington, North Carolina, May 22, 1861 

* North Carolina secession
* American Civil War

Certainly the most notable report is the pg. 2 news headed: "Secession Of North Carolina!" "One of The Confederates States" "North Carolina Free--Lincoln's Military Despotism Repudiated" which also includes the two "Ordinance" reports for secession and for ratifying the Confederate Constitution.
Relating to this page 2 also has: "The passage of the secession ordinance by the…

THE BOSTON GAZETTE, "New-England", March 12, 1739  

* Extremely early & rare Colonial publication 

This is one of the most noted & long-lived American newspapers we have had the pleasure to offer, and is the earliest of this title we have offered. It began publishing in 1719 and existed thru 1798. It was founded by James Franklin, older brother of Ben Franklin and from whom Ben apprenticed in the printing business.
Brigham notes only 3 institutions have this date.
A handsome issue for display with…

PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Aug. 19, 1775 

* The "Olive Branch Petition"
* Revolutionary War beginning
* Second Continental Congress

Certainly the most notable content in this issue is found taking over half of page 2, being the very historic Olive Branch Petition.
This was one of the more historic documents of the war, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, in a final attempt to avoid a war between the American Colonies and England. The petition affirmed…

THE SWEDISH INTELLIGENCER, "The Third Part" as well as: "The Fourth Part", London, 1633  

* Very rare 17th century periodical
* Publisher Nathaniel Butter

A very rare newsbook by the famed publishing team of Nathaniel Butter and Nicholas Bourne who are credited with being the founders of the English language periodical format, having published: "The Continuation of Our Weekly News" in 1624, taken from like-publishers in Germany & Amsterdam.
This title, item #847 in Crane & Kaye's "Census Of…

THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, Boston, May, 1745  

* Very rare & early colonial magazine
* Great Boston masthead engraving

This is a very rare title, actually the first successful magazine in American history done in the traditional magazine format (Christian History preceded this by several years but was exclusively a chronicle of the Great Awakening).
This magazine existed for about 3 years. Two previous attempts at a magazine in the colonies only lasted a few issues, one published by Ben…

THE HERALD OF FREEDOM & THE FEDERAL ADVERTISER, Boston, April 10, 1789  This is a very historically significant issue, reporting the official results of George Washington being elected President of the United States.
Page 3 has: "Interesting Intelligence" that includes:"...On the Monday following, (6th inst.) by the arrival of the Hon. Richard H. Lee, from Virginia, a quorum was formed of the Senate of the United States, when they proceeded agreeably to the Constitution, and made choice of the…

THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, May, 1789  Rarely are we able to offer an American imprint with a period report of Washington's inauguration and inaugural address. Great to have this text in this famous magazine published by perhaps the most renowned printer of the 18th century, Isaiah Thomas, whose private collection become the foundation of the American Antiquarian Society, the country's largest repository of pre-1876 printed Americana.
The reporting of this signal event…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 6, 1781  

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

Certainly the most notable content is an early report of the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
The page 2 report notes in part: "The General is happy in congratulating this army on the following authentic & interesting intelligence, received from the southward. That on the 15th instant two of the enemy's redoubts at York-Town were…

THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, "New England", April 10-17, 1740 

* Among the earliest of American newspapers to be had

This very rare title was the first successful newspaper in the colonies, having begun in 1704 and lasting until the British occupation of Boston in 1776. It was only preceded by "Public Occurrances Both Foreign and Domestick" which published just a single issue in 1690 before being suppressed & destroyed by the Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay (the only surviving…

THE ROYAL AMERICAN GAZETTE, New York, February 23, 1779  

* American Revolutionary War
* Extremely rare publication
* Loyalist - support to the British cause

This is an exceedingly rare title, in fact the very first we have offered. It was published by Alexander and James Robertson, beginning in January, 1777 and existed until some tim in 1783.
Brigham's "History & Bibliography of American Newspapers" notes that just two institutions have this date.
The rarity of the title exceeds…

STORY & HUMPHREYS'S PENNSYLVANIA MERCURY & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, October 6, 1775 

* Battle of Bunker Hill
* Revolutionary War
* Very rare publication

Certainly one of the more scarce titles from during the Revolutionary War. This is the volume 1 number 27 issue of a newspaper that existed only from April 7 to December 22, 1775, publishing a total of just 38 issues. Brigham notes that only two American institutions have this date.
The interesting engraving in the masthead…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, April 15, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination (1st report)
* Ford's Theater - John Wilkes Booth

This issue would rank among the most famous of all Lincoln assassination newspapers, as almost all issues found on the market today are one of the many reprint editions that have turned up for decades.
This is the genuine issue. And better yet it is the "3:00 a.m. Special Edition" as identified by the Library of Congress:
3:00 a.m. Special edition. 8 pages. The…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, April 24, 1790  

* Benjamin Franklin death (1ST REPORT)

Our records indicate it has been over 12 years since we have been able to offer a newspaper with some report on the death or funeral of Ben Franklin. Such issues have been very elusive.
The back page has a very notable--and early--report headed datelined at "Philadelphia, April 20, 1790" beginning: "Died on Saturday night, in the 85th year of his age, the illustrious BENJAMIN FRANKLIN of this…

THE OXFORD GAZETTE, England, Dec. 28, 1665 

* Earliest & Rarest of newspapers to be had
* Great Plague of London - epidemic deaths

This is an extremely famous--and rare--title being the predecessor of the famous "London Gazette", the oldest continually published English language newspaper in the world. This is the #13 issue.
Because of the Plague at this time, the Royal Court had removed itself from London to Oxford when this newspaper began, so issues #1 thru #23 were published…

THE NORWICH PACKET of the CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Connecticut, Dec. 10, 1783  

* Historic Treaty of Paris (peace)
* End of the Revolutionary War

This must rank among the more beautiful mastheads of the 18th century with the handsome engraving of the ship.
Taking almost all of page 3 is perhaps the most significant document of the Revolutionary War era, being the complete text of the Treaty of Paris ending the war, formally headed at the top of the first column: "The Definitive Treaty…

NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, Feb. 28, 1860 

* Historic Abraham Lincoln address
* Cooper Institute Union speech
* Launched into national prominence 

The front page has over five columns devoted to coverage of this famous speech which is headed: "NATIONAL POLITICS" "A Speech Delivered at the Cooper Institute Last Evening, by Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois".
At this point Lincoln had not declared himself a presidential candidate, and this was his first opportunity to establish his platform before an…

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789  

* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington

It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin Franklin as President of the: "Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes, Unlawfully Held in Bondage".
This is an extremely noteworthy address as it is Franklin's strongest moral statement on the subject of slavery.
Franklin did not speak out…

THE CONNECTICUT COURANT & WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER, Hartford, Nov. 13, 1781 

* Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
* American Revolutionary War ending

A terrific issue as not only does it contain a fine account of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, but it consumes the entire front page, carries over to take most of page 2, with additional information on page 3 as well.
The front page begins with a letter from Col. Tilghman, Aid de Camp to General Washington, datelined: "Head Quarters,…

NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 12, 1775  

* Battle of Bunker - Breed's Hill
* Charleston, Boston, Massachusetts
* General Thomas Gage account

Certainly a terrific issue as page 3 begins with a letter, signed in type by: Tho. Gage, in which he gives his account of the historic Battle of Bunker Hill, dated June 25 just 8 days after the battle.
In this letter Gage offers much detail, beginning: "I am to acquaint your Lordship of an action that happened on…