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Memorial Day… The Blue and the Gray…
May 27, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We recently discovered an original issue of The Atlantic Monthly for September, 1867, which contained the earliest nationally distributed printing (and maybe the first ever) of ‘The Blue and the Gray,” by Francis Miles Finch. Although Memorial Day had not been officially proclaimed (via General Order #11, May 5, 1868), the practice of placing flowers and wreaths on the tombstones if the fallen was somewhat common. What was uncommon was the act of a group of women in Columbus, Mississippi, which is best described in the preface to Finch’s poem (quoted from the New York Tribune):
“The women of Columbus, Mississippi, animated by nobler sentiments than are many of their sisters, have shown themselves impartial in their offerings made to the memory of the dead. They strewed flowers alike on the graves of the Confederate and of the National soldiers.”
In recognition of Memorial Day, please enjoy the full text of this grand expression of appreciation for those who have fallen in battle – be they blue or gray:
The Haggadah (during Passover) – 1st mention in a New York Times…
May 24, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
I know I’ve said it before, but I absolutely love this hobby. Today, thinking about the Damascus Blood Libel from back in the 184o, which prompted The London Times to print the details of the Jewish practice during The Passover Celebration – The Haggadah, they printed the details of the ritual (event/meal). This caused us to wonder if any other publication printed similar details. We were astounded to learn that the first time The Haggadah was mentioned in the New York Times did not occur until nearly 40 years later. The full details of this report (which includes details regarding addition Jewish celebrations (and special days) may be viewed at: NY Times – Jewish Festivals
If a reader knows of another nationally distributed newspaper which included similar details, please let us know.
The magic of old newspapers, in 1844…
May 24, 2018 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
An 1844 issue of the “Adams Sentinel” (Oct. 14th) from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has an interesting front page item concerning the fascination of reading old newspapers, noting in part: “…few preserve them…brings up the very age, with all its bustle…marks its genius & its spirit more than the most labored description of the historical…” with more (see). An interesting perspective on the value of collecting old newspapers, written 174 years ago.
The Traveler… great disaster in Oakdale…
May 21, 2018 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
A few days ago I journeyed to New York City by way of The New York Times of May 19, 1918 where I found that first reporting of the terrible disaster in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. “Probably 200 men were killed today when an explosion of TNT demolished the plant of the Aetna Chemical Company, at Oakdale, on the Panhandle Division of The Pennsylvania Railroad… The 500 workmen in the plant were startled at noon by a report not much louder than the crack of a pistol. It came from the soda house. The men knew its deadly import, and as one they rushed for the nearest exit. Before they could gain the open the very air seemed to burst into flames, the earth heaved and rocked, and, with a roar that was heard for miles, the long factory buildings were hurled high into the air, carrying with them ponderous equipment and scores of men…”
More explosions followed with many lives lost, some men were never found or identified.
~The Traveler
The May (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…
May 18, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · 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.
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.
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
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… O.J. Simpson not guilty…
May 14, 2018 by The Traveler · 2 Comments
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, EXTRA, California, October 3, 1995: “Simpson Not Guilty, He Is Freed After 15 Months in Jail”
Snapshot 1798… Isaac Newton’s temperament…
May 10, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from the July 25, 1798 issue of The Weekly Register, London, England…
The red, white and blue… The Traveler…
May 7, 2018 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
This week I journeyed today to Baltimore, Maryland, via the Niles’ Weekly Register of May 9, 1818. I found the announcement of “An act to establish the flag of the United States. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled, that from and after the fourth day of July next the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be twenty stars, white in a blue field. Sect. 2. And be it further enacted, That, on the admission of every new state into the union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission.” This was approved on April 4, 1818 and signed by President James Monroe.
Fly them high and proud!
~The Traveler
May thru time (50, 100, 150, 200, & 250 years ago) – 2018 edition…
May 3, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
What news was reported in the month of May – 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 years ago (1968, 1918, 1868, 1818, 1768)? Such a walk back through time via the eyes of those who read the daily and weekly newspapers of the period can be quite revealing. This is why we often say, “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.” The following links will take you back in time to show the available newspapers from the Rare & Early newspapers website. There’s no need to buy a thing. Simply enjoy the stroll.
Announcing: Catalog #270 (for May, 2018) is now available…
May 2, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Rare Newspapers’ monthly offering of collectible newspapers, Catalog 270, is now available. This latest collection of authentic newspapers is comprised of nearly 350 new items. Some of the noteworthy content includes: a rare “Royal Gazette” from New York, Washington’s inauguration & inaugural address, a handwritten newspaper from a prison camp, the Battle of Lexington & Concord, a Paul Revere engraving in a Boston newspaper, the Death of Bonnie & Clyde, and more.
To view the above key issues and a whole lot more, go to: Catalog 270
(The catalog links shown above will redirect to the latest catalog in approximately 30 days, upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.)