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November/Thanksgiving Newsletter – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
November 20, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Welcome to the November/Thanksgiving (2023) edition of our monthly newsletter. Understanding the busyness of the season as Thanksgiving (U.S.) rapidly approaches, I’ll make every effort to be brief. However, please do not miss out on this month’s highlights:
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Some comic relief should be found in every collection… Early parachute attempt in 1785…
November 13, 2023 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
There seems to be a preponderance of tragic, dismal events that dominate our collections. After all, they tend to be very historic and life-altering. Think of all the “great” wars, various assassinations, the Titanic, Lusitania, & Hindenburg, and so much more.
So the occasional report with comic overtones can be refreshing. I recently wrote up an issue of the London Chronicle, July 14, 1785, with American content, but it also contains on the back page a very early parachute demonstration that went awry.
The report concerning a man who scheduled a parachute demonstration at the Blanchard Aerostatic Academy in England, planning to: “…let himself down from a prodigious altitude, and to manifest his composure by playing on a violin during his descent. To fulfill these promises, the ingenious operator had provided machinery, by which he might have been raised about 45 feet!
When the time arrived, he, with his Cremona [high-quality violin], entered the vehicle, and was raised with infinite precaution…”.
Okay, read the article to see how it plays out.
Reprinted Newspapers – Identified as of 1931…
November 10, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
In 1931, Joseph Gavit, the senior librarian at the New York Public Library, published a list of known newspaper reprints: “A List Of American Newspaper Reprints”. This well-known but seldom found 16 page booklet begins: “This is an attempt to bring together, in one list, notes on all the complete separate reproductions of early or historic issues of American newspapers…”, with more to follow. At the time the list included nearly 150 reprint editions. Although the list has grown to more than 500 editions, most of the more common reprints were identified by Gavit.
We’ve created a listing “For Information Purposes Only” on the Rare & Early Newspapers website which includes photos of his work. We hope you find it useful.
An expanded list of newspaper reprints can be explored at Common Reprints – several which can be explored through this Blog by searching for “reprint“.
Capturing the Vibe – January 3, 1938…
November 6, 2023 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
A new year and a new edition of “Capturing the Vibe” where we try to imagine what the world felt like to a newspaper reader from the past by immersing ourselves in their … “vibe of the day”… perhaps with a cup of coffee in hand on a snowy day where you are.
So, on we go with this month’s issue…
January 3, 1938… the start of a new year… Roosevelt gives a message to Congress.
A Map Shows the “Black Plague of the Twentieth Century” which was defined as a WORLD-WIDE TREND OF GOVERNMANTAL DOMINATION OR LIBERTIES
On a more frivolous note … 35 long-wed couples make merry at party with dinner and dancing.
Nelson Eddy/Elanor Powell & Tyron Power/ Alice Fay had movies premier.
Coverage of The Sugar Bowl.
And last but by no means least … a Genuine RCA Victor Electric Tuning Radio was only $89.95!
Announcing: Catalog #336 for November, 2023 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
November 3, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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CATALOG #336
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[The links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days
upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.]
The reason I collected it: The John-Donkey – 1848…
October 30, 2023 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
While historic events & people–whether they be tragic, heroic, or celebratory–are the domain for most collectors, venturing out of this arena into the small world of comic and satire magazines can be a refreshing change.
This title is a great example, and in my 47 years of collecting newspapers this is the only issue I have encountered. It lasted but 29 weekly issues in 1848. Its significance is such that Frank L. Mott, in his book “A History of American Magazines, 1741-1850”, devoted a chapter to this title.
A few comments from his book include: “…John-Donkey always maintained the tradition of his stupidity… he claimed only to be stupid and was continually trying to prove his stupidity…Most of John-Donkey’s articles, long and short, were satires upon contemporary events or fads, upon organizations, movements, and persons. Politics were prominent…The first page of each issue bore a series of pictures of John Donkey himself in various attitudes…Each number contained a political cartoon, full pate in size, and printed on an unbacked leaf [the print in this issue of ‘The Pennsylvania Thimble-Rigger’, blank on the reverse]… It is very probable that the seven libel suits filed against the John-Donkey in May had something to do with its demise…”. The photos below is of the issue dated March 11, 1848 – the one I collected.
If they would only have built it sooner… (Shoeless) Joe Jackson…
October 27, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Even if you are not a fan of baseball, in case you haven’t done so already, the movie “Field of Dreams” is winner. The themes of perseverance, worthwhile priorities, and personal sacrifice are masterfully woven together to create one of the more inspiring movies of the 1980-1990’s. Steering clear of spoilers for those who have yet to see it, I’ll just restate that which is already included in the movie’s trailer: “If you build it, they will come!” Without being overly sappy… honestly, you really need to see it.
So, how does this relate to Rare & Early Newspapers? A few days ago one of our staff found an article from 1913 featuring one of the three main characters – “Shoeless” Joe Jackson (of Black Sox scandal fame), who was given a “2nd chance” at playing baseball – the assumption being he would have jumped at the chance to reengage at the professional level had he been given the opportunity to do so. Without saying more, I’ll let the heading and the 1st few paragraphs of the article do the talking (see below). Oh, and for the record, post-baseball, Joe and his wife (who were a team of their own until his death) eventually moved on from baseball, opened a BBQ restaurant, then “Joe Jackson’s Liquor Store”, and along the way co-raised two of his nephews. For better or worse, even if someone would have built it, I’m not sure he really would have come.
I hope you enjoy a portion of the article:
Dramatic Headlines Speak for Themselves… Senator Robert Kennedy near death…
October 23, 2023 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 6, 1968, which had a pre-death report on the assassination of Senator Bobby Kennedy:
“KENNEDY PARALYZED AND NEAR DEATH“
October Newsletter from Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
October 20, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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October Newsletter from Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
October 16, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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