“Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” (Part IV) – Setting Values…

March 25, 2024 by  
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We are often asked “What’s my newspaper worth?” in phone calls and email messages. As one might suspect, there are many factors which determine value and much like a jeweler cannot give a value of a diamond by an email or telephone inquiry, our ethics do not permit us to place values on newspapers without seeing the issues in hand.

Many factors determine value. The more important include condition, desirability among collectors, extent of coverage, completeness of the issue, proximity of the city of publication to where the event happened, time lag between the event date and the reporting date, dramatic appeal (more so with 20th century issues), and location of the report within the issue (front page? page 3?). Other factors come into play with more significant events but those noted are the prime determinants of value.

From a personal perspective setting values has been an interesting process, as no guide book of values existed 30+ years ago when I started the business. I priced an item in my catalog for $10 and if I had twenty orders for it I knew the price was too low.  If no one ordered it the price was too high. Through the years, and by data basing sold prices (on index cards prior to the computer!), I’ve honed my own “price guide” based on actual sales, and it is this now-sophisticated database which we use to set values for new inventory as it arrives.

Do values continue to rise? In general, yes, but we are careful to never recommend the purchase of early newspapers for investment purposes. As is true of most collectibles, rarity and desirability determine where prices will be for the future.

But providing an historical perspective from our own files, back in October of 1981 we sold in our catalog #26 the NEW YORK HERALD of March 5, 1865 reporting the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, very nice condition, for $70. In 2018 we sold another issue of the NEW YORK HERALD of March 5, 1865, also in very nice condition, for $745. If we had a similar issue today, it would likely go for around $1,000 – and even more if offered through a prominent auction house.

So, what do you do if you have a newspaper and would like to know its approximate value? One resource is this Blog – not for posting questions, but for exploring. We have many posts which provide specific examples of issues and their prices. Perhaps a better resource is the Rare & Early Newspapers website which provides 10,000+ examples (best to search by date and look for a comparable – see image below). Once you’ve explored these avenues, you are always welcome to contact us directly by email (guy@rarenewspapers.com). We would need the exact title and exact date of each issue to get started. Sending only photos does not work for us.

What two resources are not helpful?

1) Ebay. Why? Just because someone is asking for an amazing price doesn’t mean they’ll ever sell it at that price. “Previous Sales” are what matters.

2) Posting a question on this Blog. Why? We rarely monitor it.

Feel free to send any additional questions concerning the valuation of newspaper to us at the same email shown above. We’ll do our best to answer any that come our way… and who knows, perhaps they show up in a future post. 🙂

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Filed under: Civil War, Common Questions, Valuation of Issues
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Comments

532 Responses to ““Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” (Part IV) – Setting Values…”

  1. Sean on November 1st, 2015 11:10 pm

    Found old civil war era items from family, one was newspaper from Cincinnati August 11 1865 titled Lee Surrendors- interested in this info.

    Thanks

  2. GuyHeilenman on November 3rd, 2015 11:45 am

    Hello Sean – Send this info to Tim at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. He typically responds within less than 24 hours.

  3. GuyHeilenman on November 3rd, 2015 11:47 am

    It is impossible to say for certain without having it in hand, but we are not aware of content from this day’s reporting that would make it desirable as a collectible. Sorry.

  4. GuyHeilenman on November 3rd, 2015 11:49 am

    Hello Misty, If it is the issue we believe it to be, we already have several. However, you may want to send these details and perhaps a photo-shot from your phone to Tim at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. He typically responds within 24 hours.

  5. Tihisha on November 6th, 2015 10:07 am

    I have a newspaper you my be able to give me information on. The NEW-HAVEN GAZETTE AND THE CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE. Published July 26, 1787. This paper was published TWO YEARS BEFORE George Washington was elected first president of the United States. There are a lot more in this article. I’m looking to sell. O do know that the only other one I have found is in Washington in Commerce rare book department.

  6. Tihisha on November 6th, 2015 10:21 am

    I also have ” THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER” DATED WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1863 ANY HELPFUL INFO WOULD BE GREAT. I also have 8 Goldwyn Pictures that I could use info on. Thank you very kindly 🙂

  7. GuyHeilenman on November 9th, 2015 8:33 am

    Please send the information regarding this issue to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. We may have interest depending upon its authenticity, condition, and content.

  8. GuyHeilenman on November 9th, 2015 8:34 am

    Hello again Tihisha – It would be good to send the information regarding these issues to Tim Hughes at timothy@rarenewspapers.com. We may have interest depending upon its authenticity, condition, and content.

  9. GuyHeilenman on November 9th, 2015 8:38 am

    Hello James, Tim Hughes will be in touch with you shortly by e-mail. If you do not hear from him within 24 hours, please let me know at guy@rarenewspapers.com. Thanks – Guy

  10. star on November 9th, 2015 3:21 pm

    I have a Enquirer magazine is it worth anything from 12/28/1999

  11. Nathan Thomson on November 9th, 2015 6:01 pm

    I have a near perfect New York Times from Monday December 8 , 1941. It is a complete paper.

  12. Lorraine on November 10th, 2015 2:35 pm

    I have a daily tribune date of 1929 want is it worth

  13. brett on November 17th, 2015 5:22 pm

    I have an original newspaper from October 11 1968 out of the san Diego union about the bon homme Richard. Any value?

  14. sheila on November 18th, 2015 2:44 am

    I have E veryarticle that was printed on John F Kennedy. is there anybody that would be interested In this

  15. Tanieka west on November 22nd, 2015 3:04 pm

    Hello I have a newspaper from 1970 I was just wondering how much is it worth?

  16. adrian on November 23rd, 2015 4:54 am

    i have a historic newspaper whit a certificate of authenticity 21 september 1920 its signed i think or have writeen jk i dobt know what it means is it worth something ?

  17. GuyHeilenman on November 23rd, 2015 1:33 pm

    Hello Brett, We are not aware of any collectors who would have interest. Sorry.

  18. GuyHeilenman on November 23rd, 2015 1:35 pm

    Hello Sheila, Unless they are complete newspapers in great condition, we are not aware of any collectors who would have interest. Additionally, for the most part, unless it is the first report of JFK’s assassination printed in a Dallas newspaper, it would need to be extremely unusual/graphic. The rest are too common.

  19. GuyHeilenman on November 23rd, 2015 1:44 pm

    Doubtful, but just in case… we would need to know the exact date, title, and condition of the newspaper.

  20. GuyHeilenman on November 23rd, 2015 1:46 pm

    It sounds like a “birthday newspaper” – a great gift, but no real historic collector value. We do have one with dramatic Wall Street bombing coverage on the front page currently being offered for $26.

  21. malcolm on November 24th, 2015 4:33 pm

    I have 4 issues of William Garrison’s the liberator. It was a anti slavery that was very popular.

  22. patricia on November 29th, 2015 12:06 pm

    I HAVE A NEWSPAPER FROM 9-12-2001 NEWS press edited in Cape Coral Florida

  23. laura brennan on November 30th, 2015 12:01 am

    I have a Joliet herald news…Dec 8,1980..the death of john Lennon..the shooting..what is it worth?

  24. Randall on December 3rd, 2015 8:38 am

    I have a “The evening star” Washington DC Saturday, October 18,1941 thirty two pages. This is a complete paper with certificate of Authentication. I am looking for a value if possible

  25. Aubrey Kroeger on December 7th, 2015 5:15 pm

    I have IT’S WAR December 8 1941 …..EXTRA (Los Angeles)
    8 page ……..wandering its authenticity and possible worth????

  26. Eric Spencer on December 8th, 2015 12:52 pm

    I have several news papers but today I’m asking of the April 5th 1968 King Assassination in Memphis issued by The Washington Post. Paper has never been opened to be read or looked at. I have a few copies and wanted to now of any value. Will ask about other papers at later time. Thank you for ur answer.

  27. Lillian hamm on December 8th, 2015 11:10 pm

    I have many complete newspapers with elvis in them is there anyway to see if they have any value ? I can send pictures or even the nrwspapers

  28. Jared carl on December 9th, 2015 9:23 pm

    Hello I have a newspaper from 1926 the new York times it’s the second world series with pictures of babe ruth and his wife and daughter is this worth anything I can send pics

  29. Linda correa on December 10th, 2015 10:04 am

    Hi how are you I’ve got front page “Victory” may 7 1945 the Wichita Beacon news paper along with numerous photos from that era and medical records wondering what they may be worth in excellent condition thanks

  30. Weylin on December 14th, 2015 11:13 am

    I have a newspaper titled “Deaths over 400 on Oauh, latest report” and was wondering how much it’s worth

  31. Frederick Stubblefield on December 16th, 2015 8:35 pm

    I have a news paper full page of the “I Have a Dream, Delivered at the “March on Washington “,Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC.,August 28,1963 and just wondering if it’s worth anything.

  32. Paul M Fischer on December 17th, 2015 1:33 pm

    I have a friend that has a huge collection of New York times from the 1930’s thru the 1960’s , he has every issue bound in huge binders. Looking for a value for insurance purposes please,.

  33. rich camp on December 17th, 2015 5:34 pm

    I have a newspaper from June 9th 1968 ( Boston Globe ) the shape is fair you can still open and read the pages, I was wondering if there is any value

  34. Rose on December 18th, 2015 5:21 am

    I have a 1974 Atl Journal ” Hank hits 714″ full newspaper excellent condition? Any ideas on what it is worth?

  35. Mindy on December 20th, 2015 10:00 am

    I have an original, complete paper from 1/1/2000 in perfect condition, is it worth anything?

  36. Ana rios on December 21st, 2015 1:30 pm

    Hi i have a 1941 newspaper from honolulu its about war oahu bombed by japanese planes i want to know if it has any value.

  37. Crystal Reed on December 22nd, 2015 6:22 pm

    City memorialize of JFK 1963

  38. Jackie on December 26th, 2015 2:31 pm

    I have paper from marion cronical from Nov 6 1960 JFK wins election worth anything? ?

  39. Amanda hood on January 1st, 2016 2:16 pm

    I have a newspaper receipt from the st Louis chronicle on the back of it there is a add for stagecoach movers is this any value

  40. Ivan D on January 2nd, 2016 3:41 pm

    Good day guy. I had a question regarding newspaper clippings. I have various clippings from 1995 regarding the death of a famous tex-mex singer named Selena. They are all clippings of the article that speaks of her. Do you know if clippings like these have somewhat of some value or are they just a piece of non valuable history.

    Thank you.

  41. sara gray on January 4th, 2016 9:06 pm

    I have this old times lesder newspaper from November 25,1963
    President laid to rest,
    Oswald shot to death.
    I was just needing the value on this paper. Any help?

  42. Adrienne on January 6th, 2016 9:33 am

    Hello, my husband works construction and abatement and found in a wall of a building he was working in a perfect souvenir edition vol 1 no. 1 photographic reproduction of the first edition of the Kansas city then, evening star dated sat,September 18th 1880 is it worth anything?

  43. Dawn on January 7th, 2016 6:34 pm

    I have some newspapers the Herald Nees when Hitlwr was killed bombing of Pearl Harbor was wondering if they are worth anything

  44. Steve on January 9th, 2016 11:22 pm

    How do you value an old news box (date ect……)?

  45. James on January 10th, 2016 11:42 pm

    Was wondering if my collection of park city daily news papers 1963 to 1965 I have 30 of the and have the courier journal from 1963 to 1965 only 6 of tho some have jrk in them but don’t have the one about his assassination in it does these have much of a value

  46. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:05 pm

    Hello James, While it is impossible to tell without having the issues in hand, it is highly doubtful these will have collector value. However, feel free to use our website (www.rarenewspapers.com) for comparables.

  47. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:06 pm

    Hello Steve, This is not within our area of expertise. We only deal in the actual newspapers themselves.

  48. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:11 pm

    Hello Dawn. Perhaps. Please send a list of dates along with the newspaper titles to guy@rarenewspapers.com. If you can include a few images it will help even more.

  49. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:12 pm

    Hello Adrienne, We are not aware that this would have value.

  50. GuyHeilenman on January 11th, 2016 2:18 pm

    99.9 Percent of these can be found on eBay for a few dollars. In most cases, only the Dallas papers have value. Sorry

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