I’m New Here: Week Thirty-Two…

September 27, 2019 by · Leave a Comment 

This week as I was pulling some Gentleman’s Magazines to fill online catalog gaps, I hovered over an issue prior to searching within the computer system.  It was dated July 1776, and I took a minute to let that soak in.  I am regularly awestruck at handling all these papers, but particularly anything from such an important, pivotal year and month in American history.  Actually, I suppose it was significant to world history as well.

This is not a museum, however, but a place of business and conscience compelled me to limit my sighing to less than a minute before turning to the keyboard and pulling up the listing for this title and date.  And, as I read the opening lines of the description, I felt again the great privilege I have to be here.

“It is rare to find newspapers or magazines with the magical date of 1776, let alone ‘July, 1776’.  Here is one.”

These paragraphs are such valuable tools for searching as well as learning.  While Timothy Hughes Rare and Early Newspapers can boast 44 years in existence as a business, the depth of knowledge of history and its significance that is applied to filtering through the millions of papers in order to present each one goes far beyond a mere business listing.  And the one that filled my screen only served to deepen my wonder at this treasure trove chronicling the earliest days of this country.

The first article contains 3 pages of text on events in America, including: “Proceedings of the American Colonists since the Passing the Boston Port Bill” with various reports, one stating that: “…the main army of the United Colonies has changed its situation; and that the head-quarters are now at New-York, where Gen. Washington has already taken up his residence…”.  A proclamation issued by Congress concerning a redress of the grievances of the colonies says in part: “Therefore, Resolved, that it be recommended to the respective Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to…their affairs has been…established, to adopt such a government…”, signed in type: John Hancock. Perhaps the most significant report is one mentioning the convention at Williamsburgh containing an important resolve (see) passed by the delegates which reads in part: “…That the delegates appointed to represent this colony…be instructed to propose to that…body to declare the united colonies free and independent…and that they give the assent of this colony to such declaration …..

I remember in my first days here, wondering if I would be required to wear gloves when handling these issues.  My query was shrugged off, but I have been asked the same by friends and acquaintances when I talk about my job.  We are used to seeing important things enclosed and protected behind glass and velvet ropes.  But these papers were made to be read, and passed around so the news could spread.  The older ones are often in better condition than the ones from the past few decades.  Still, they are individually protected within folders, as much to keep the edges safe and protected as to shield from light and other environmental contaminants.  I like that the storage options  we use are the same as those we offer to our collecting community.  Even though the crew here is much more seasoned than I, there is an unspoken acknowledgement that this is really amazing stuff, and I am not the only one that gets a bit awestruck…

Filed under: Colonial, Noteworthy Issues, Revolutionary War, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

I’m New Here: Week Twenty-Six (aka, “She’s Still New Here – the first six months”)…

August 15, 2019 by · Leave a Comment 

There has rarely (if ever) been someone who has walked through our archives of historic newspapers and not been overwhelmed by the history that courses through the premises, but what is uncommon is to have such an individual become a member of our staff. Unlike many things that initially overwhelm or amaze us but soon lose their wonderment, if you love history, there are enough hidden treasures buried deep within our stacks to create excitement and appreciation for a lifetime. It was with this unique opportunity in mind we decided to have Stephanie Williams, our new office manager, chronicle her “learning curve” through a series of ongoing posts titled, “I’m New Here…”. Now that she has eclipsed the six-month mark, we thought it might be nice to assemble the posts into one easy-to-access location. Please enjoy her initial 6-month trek.

I’m New Here…

Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-6, 7, 8, 9-10, 11, 12, 13, 14-15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20-21, 22-23, 24, and 25 (this being week 26)

(Also, Stephanie was on vacation so we thought it was a good time to create this chronology.)

Filed under: Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged:

The July (2019) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

July 22, 2019 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The July, 2019 newsletter:

Welcome to the July 2019 edition of our monthly newsletter. Just to let you know, we’re having a blast. One of the joys of the hobby is coming across new content and/or new titles. As you can imagine, after more than 40 years of collecting and selling, such inventory does not come our way very often. However, a few weeks ago we took in a several-decade run of The Village Voice, Greenwich Village, New York – the actual issues held (until now) by the publisher. Over the next year you will begin to see noteworthy issues listed within our catalogs, but the following are a few which have already caught our attention – the first two referencing the last public performance by Janis Joplin:
If there are other events, advertisements, reviews, and/or articles within back issues of The Village Voice in which you might have interest, please let us know. We’ll be happy to check to see if we have what you are looking for – and if so, send you a quote.

Other Items to Consider…

Catalog 284
A number of items were added to our catalog since it went to print, including a nice set of 18th century items from America. The links below will take you to various portions of the catalog:
Newly Discounted Items
Over 150 items have just been discounted by 50% through August 15th. The prices reflect the discount. Please enjoy: Newly Discounted Items
History’s Newsstand
Although a number of new posts have been made on our blog since last month’s newsletter, the following four are perhaps my favorites:
Newly Discovered/Listed Items
Items which have been listed on our website within the last 30 days can be found at: Newly Discovered/Listed Items


Thanks for collecting with us.

 

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

The May (2019) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

May 21, 2019 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The May, 2019 newsletter:

Welcome to the May 2019 edition of our monthly newsletter. Featured this month is an early look at one of the best issues from the Virginia Gazette collection, a free illustrated newspaper from 150 years ago (along with a snapshot of life from the period), three of my favorite posts from the past month (one full of discovery, one politically encouraging, and another providing food for thought), newly discounted items, and more. Please enjoy.

 

Free Offer (members only) – What was life like in 1869 – 150 years ago? This month we are offering a free issue of Harper’s Weekly from 1869, which will provide a 1-week (illustrated and textual) snapshot of life from 150 years ago. We have up to 25 free issues to offer – all we ask is that you pay the S&H. Also, if this is included as an add-on to another purchase, the S&H will only be $1 – and free if the complete order qualifies for free shipping. In addition to the free issue, you can also take a look through the entire year’s worth of Harper’s at: 1869 through the eyes of Harper’s Weekly

Virginia Gazette – Although the issue is scheduled for a future catalog, we are giving our members an early look at what we believe to be one of the best issues to be had (Lexington & Concord). Although it is beyond the reach (price-wise) of most, for those who enjoy historic newspapers, we believe it is worth a gander.

Discounted Newspapers ~ 50% off – We’ve added nearly 150 new items to last month’s discounted issues. Some of the more interesting items include: the execution of the bandit Vasquez, the sinking of two monitors in Charleston Harbor, Susan B. Anthony’s sentencing for voting, a rare 19th century title from Colorado, a proclamation by Brigham Young, news from Dodge City, an Elvis photo related to the debut of Jailhouse Rock, and more.

Catalog 282 – A number of items were added to our catalog since it went to print, which include: a rare issue from South Carolina with a report on the Monitor vs. the Merrimack, Alexander Graham Bell Invents the Telephone, Lincoln’s 1st Election, a rare mention of Bat Masterson, a diagram of the Confederate Flag, a 1665 (1666) report referencing the end of the Great Plague, and more:

Three additional catalog-related links which may be of interest are:

History’s Newsstand – Although a number of new posts have been made on our blog since last month’s newsletter, the following three are perhaps my favorites:

Additional posts from the past several weeks may be viewed at: History’s Newsstand Blog
 

Thanks for collecting with us.

 

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

I’m New Here…Week Four (!)

March 8, 2019 by · Leave a Comment 

I had begun to think that interest in my little contribution to this blog was waning enough that I would be able to slip right past the post in which I had promised to elucidate my multiple disasters.

Most of the veteran collectors ask for Guy, and yesterday I had to answer that Guy was not available, could I possibly be of any help?  Just before I completed a phone call with Mr. W., he asked me (in the classic gentlemanly manner of many from the southwestern states) for a preview.  Of my calamities.

And so, with a nod toward Arizona, I am sitting down to recount a few of my more unfortunate escapades.  I have called the same person with the same information twice, and neglected ever calling an important other. Through the first ten days I went fuzzy every time I needed to pull a title and date because I couldn’t even begin to locate the identifiers amidst all the fancy, scrolly banner headings. But many such moments were never known to any of the rare newspaper community because the group of people here at Timothy Hughes is absolutely splendid, and they countered most of them before anyone even noticed. I sent the skylift up to the shelf under the roofline, lowered it, maneuvered the 20’ row and parked. I was back at my desk before someone casually reminded me that the unwieldy volume had to be returned to the same location. Friday I answered the phone, forgot the business name, and then just began to laugh — because what else could I do?  It’s hard to be new, but it’s downright ironic in a place so full of old things. Surely the papers yield evidence that I am not, by far, alone in my muddles.

Still, the most colossal so far — including my omission of eBay tracking numbers, which potentially plummeted our heretofore stellar ratings — was the rare paper that I sold to two different people. In case you were wondering, there was only one. We didn’t have a second issue anywhere in the roughly 12,000 searchable square feet. I don’t know enough to help with the hunt, but everyone capable tried any space or collection that could possibly contain this gem. And, remarkably, they looked at me with something akin to regret when each location had been exhausted. Somehow, to their chagrin, they had not saved me from my own folly.

Mercifully, the fellow that I had previously introduced to the paper (I  used the word “stunning” as I described it to him) was very gracious when I called.  But in all sincerity, while I seldom make the same error too many times, I am working to meld all this newness into the well-oiled machine that is Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers …without excessive further ado.

So, if Guy isn’t available, one of these days I really will be able to help.

Filed under: Business News, The Collectible Community, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged:

The October (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

October 24, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The October, 2018 newsletter:

I’M TRULY EXCITED about this month’s newsletter. During the past month we’ve had the privilege of acquiring some of the most desirable inventory to-date (40+ years), and some are starting to show up in our listings. Additionally, we’re offering a set of more than 1,000 issues discounted by 75% (not a typo). Other items include a link to items which were added to Catalog 275 after it had gone to print (including a handful of gems from our most recent acquisitions), perhaps the best coverage of The Dred Scott Case to be had (offered as a set), and a selection of recent posts from our History’s Newsstand Blog (re: the Intolerable Acts, the Boston Tea Party, etc.). Please enjoy.
Discounted Newspapers ~ 75% off (not a typo) – Well-over 1,000 new items are now discounted by 75% through November 15, 2018. Why the severe price-reduction? Although many have great content, they are buried deep within our website’s search results, and quite honestly, thanks to our recent acquisitions, we need the space.

Catalog 275 – Enjoy the remaining items from our latest catalog of historic newspapers.

Newly Discovered Items (with a focus on those which were added to the above catalog after it had gone to print) – A desirable Virginia Gazette from 1775 with reflections on The Boston Massacre, perhaps the best set of issues related to the Dred Scott Case ever offered, a super issue regarding Israeli Statehood, and others with coverage related to Walt Whitman, the 1929 Stock Market Crash, Gandhi, Thomas Edison, Al Capone, Babe Ruth, and more: Newly Discovered Items
Notice: We’ve just acquired an incredible set of Chicago Tribunes which span the gangster era (see our eBay store and/or our website for some initial examples), a set of Virginia Gazettes (Williamsburg, VA) from just before the Revolutionary War (one of the most collectible and rare titles to be found), an early set of 19th-century NY Heralds, and more. Keep your eyes open. 

History’s Newsstand Blog (featured posts):

 

Additional posts from the past several weeks may be viewed at: History’s Newsstand Blog
 

Thanks for collecting with us.

 

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

The September (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

September 14, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The September, 2018 newsletter:

Welcome to the September edition of our monthly newsletter. This month we offer a free newspaper (see details below), a set of nearly 200 issues discounted by 50%, a link to our newly discovered items, and a selection of a few recent posts from our History’s Newsstand Blog. Please enjoy.
Free Newspaper – We have approximately 35 issues of the Niles’ Register (Baltimore) which we are offering for no cost – except, potentially, S&H. If you order it as a stand-alone item, you only pay $5 S&H. If you order other items but the order is less than $100, you will only pay $1 additional S&H for this issue. If your order is for over $100, you will not pay any shipping on this “free” issue. Please, only 1 per collector. The issue may be purchased at: FREE NILES’ REGISTER

 

Discounted Newspapers (50% off) Nearly 200 new items have been *discounted by 50% through October 15, 2018. Take advantage.

 

Catalog 274 – Enjoy the remaining items from our latest catalog of historic newspapers.

 

Newly Discovered Items – Each month we have several newspapers which are unearthed after our catalog goes to print. The content is typically quite diverse. Feel free to view the new listings at: New Items

 

History’s Newsstand Blog (featured posts):

Additional posts from the past several weeks may be viewed at: History’s Newsstand Blog

Thanks for collecting with us.

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

The July (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

July 17, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The July, 2018 newsletter:

Welcome to the July edition of our monthly newsletter. This month we highlight a few newly discovered gems – those listed in the subject line among them, a few interesting posts, a set of discounted items added to last month’s offerings, and more.

Newly Discovered Items – A rare Lincoln speech, a pre-Emancipation Proclamation general order for emancipation, newly discovered pre-Rev war coverage of tensions in America, significant but under the radar Jewish-themed coverage (re: General Grant’s famous General order), and another announcing the first Jewish-American to hold a [presidential) cabinet position, and more: New Items

 

Discounted Newspapers (50% off) Over 200 items have been *discounted by 50% through August 16, 2018. Take advantage.

Catalog 272 – Enjoy the remaining items from our latest catalog of historic newspapers.



Recent Listings – Over 300 new items listed since the catalog above went to print.

History’s Newsstand Blog (featured posts):
Additional posts from the past several weeks may be viewed at: History’s Newsstand Blog

 

Thanks for collecting with us.


Sincerely,

Guy & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

The June (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

June 18, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The June, 2018 newsletter:

Welcome to the June edition of our monthly newsletter. John Wilkes Booth performs at Ford’s Theater in 1863 and a newspaper with Lincoln’s last speech and last Proclamation – both in Washington, D.C. papers, a focus on original literature (Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Lord Byron, and several from Walt Whitman), a flashback to more innocent days, and a new set of issues discounted by 50%… All of these and more are shown in detail below.

Two (new) Highly Collectible/Rare Items (both Washington D.C. papers)…
Great (newly discovered) Literary Items – Among a handful of new items are several issues with the 1st or rare appearances of works by Walt Whitman, reactions and follow-up events related to Uncle Tom’s Cabin (by Harriet Beecher Stowe – including a review done in part by Charles Dickens, John Greenleaf Whittier, Lord Byron, and although jumping a generation or tow, Ellery Queen: Literary Interest (and more)

 

Discounted Newspapers (50% off) Over 200 items have been *discounted by 50% through July 12, 2018. The items already reflect the discount. The available content includes: regarding the death of Jesse James, both Kennedy and Johnson were shot (?), a handful of Confederate issues, Kennedy is still alive (?), a great CW era map of Richmond (a “doomed” city), the Hindenburg a year before the explosion, among the earliest of automobile ads (1898), and more.

Catalog 271 – Enjoy the remaining items from our latest catalog of historic newspapers.

Recent/New Listings – Over 300 new items listed since the catalog above went to print.

History’s Newsstand Blog – Featured Post: – Innocence… Flag Day 1921 – This Flag Day themed post, in our opinion, is worthy of a gander. Additional posts from the past several weeks may be viewed at: History’s Newsstand Blog

 

Thanks for collecting with us.

Sincerely,

Guy & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

The May (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…

May 18, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.

The May, 2018 newsletter:

Welcome to the May edition of our monthly newsletter. This month we have a new set of issues being offered at 50% off, a link to over 200 listings which were listed after the release of our latest catalog, a handful of unique items we’ve just posted (Woodstock, Stock Market Crash of 1929, the United States Formalizes its recognition of the State of Israel, and Israel declaring Jerusalem to be its capital). Links to both our recent catalog and the latest posts on the History’s Newsstand blog are also provided. Please enjoy.

Discounted Newspapers (50% off) Over 200 items have been *discounted by 50% through June 14, 2018. The items already reflect the discount. The available content includes: “The Day The Music Died”, Thomas Edison receives patent for the electric light, a map of the world from 1760, Babe Ruth’s final farewell, Sherman’s Trail of Destruction, and more.

 Catalog 270 – Enjoy the remaining items from our  latest catalog of historic newspapers.

Recent/New Listings – Over 350 items have been listed within the last 20 days, many of which will never appear in catalogs. Some of the new items include: a host of issues covering the 1948 Arab-Israeli War (with more to come over the next few days), Russia becoming the 1st major power to recognize Israeli Statehood, Chaim Weizmann – 1st (provisional) president of Israel, India’s Constitution announced… Independence realized, Trail of Tears, Washington’s Inauguration and Inaugural Address, and more.

Specific Historic and Rare Issues – Newly Listed:

History’s Newsstand Blog – Some of the recent posts include: “Snapshot 1798… Isaac Newton’s temperament,” “The red, white and blue (via The Traveler),” “Who’s Who in Newspapers? Daniel Sickles edition,” “Snapshot 1923… King Tutankhamun unearthed,” “O.J. Simpson not guilty (Great Headlines Speak For Themselves),” etc… These and more may be viewed at the above link.

Thanks for collecting with us.

Sincerely,

Guy & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: ,

Next Page »