Prior to the November 22,1963 assassination of JFK… History does repeat itself!

April 25, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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I would imagine every American is familiar with the assassination of JFK – perhaps even more so since his nephew has joined our most recent presidential survivor of a similar attempt. Additionally, the JFK Papers everyone has spent decades clamoring for may soon be released for public perusal. In light of all the newly ignited interest, the August 29, 1961, NEW YORK TIMES had an interesting article describing an earlier assassination attempt on JFK where the killer was stopped by the fact that Jackie and the kids were with Kennedy at the time. Below is a description of the event written by Smithsonian Magazine.

“On December 11, 1960, JFK was the president-elect and Richard Paul Pavlick was a 73-year-old retired postal worker. Both were in Palm Beach, Florida. JFK was there on a vacation of sorts, taking a trip to warmer climates as he prepared to assume the office of the President. Pavlick had followed Kennedy down there with the intention of blowing himself up and taking JFK with him. His plan was simple. He lined his car with dynamite — “enough to blow up a small mountain” per CNN – and outfitted it with a detonation switch. Then, he parked outside the Kennedy’s Palm Beach compound and waited for Kennedy to leave his house to go to Sunday Mass. Pavlick’s aim was to ram his car into JFK’s limo as the President-to-be left his home, killing them both.

But JFK did not leave his house alone that morning. He made his way to his limousine with his wife, Jacqueline, and children, Caroline and John, Jr. who was less than a month old. While Pavlick was willing to kill John F. Kennedy, he did not want to kill Kennedy’s family, so he resigned himself to trying again another day. He would not get a second chance at murderous infamy. On December 15, he was arrested by a Palm Beach police officer working off a tip from the Secret Service.”

For JFK collectors, this is a nice addition to the most famous issues covering Oswald’s successful attempt just 2.5 years later.

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Americana at it’s best… The annual Egg Roll on the lawn of The White House…

April 20, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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I apologize upfront for the fact that so many of my posts lean heavily on nostalgia. Truth be told, I often have to apologize to my kids for how quickly I tear up when I think of the past. Keeping my soft pot for the “good” of the past in mind, it will come as no surprise that I chose the following issue for today’s installment.

The FRANK LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED for April 23, 1887 featured a delightful full-page illustration of the annual White House Egg Roll. Whoever the artist was (it was described as being from a “staff artist”), they perfectly captured the best of America in all its innocence and deep-felt sense of community. American traditions are part of our core essence as a unified people and they build bonds between us which help us stand firm during the hardships of life. Keep in mind, as Spring and Summer arrive, we are about to be flooded with National Holidays drenched with American traditions. Especially during the upcoming year, in light of our nation’s 250th birthday, may we all pause to appreciate the small but powerful traditions which help define us as Americans.

PS  “Red and yellow back and white”… playing out in 1887 🙂

PPS  As much as I get weepy when thinking about the past, I do find myself very misty-eyed at what I see and experience in my present as well. Perhaps I’m just a softie?!!

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Words spoken softly would prove to be extraordinarily prophetic…

April 14, 2025 by · 1 Comment 
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Some of the newspapers that are so desired by collectors are those with innocent reports–often inconspicuous amongst the jumble of lengthier articles–that would only find relevance in the passing of years. Such is the case with the “New York Semi-Weekly Tribune” issue of May 15, 1860. Keep in mind that at this date, the Republican National Convention in Chicago had yet to formally begin (May 16-18) and Abraham Lincoln was pretty much an unknown in the world of national politics. He did capture some attention with his famous “…house divided…” speech two years earlier, and more contemporarily with his Cooper Union address in February, 1860, but he was–at best–an outsider for the Presidency.

Page 5 has a column headed: “The Chicago Convention” “The People Gathering” “Prospects of Various Candidates” “Seward Leads Them All” and more. However, the report suggests Seward’s work will be difficult, noting in part: “The crowd gather thick & fast…The Seward leaders are also very confident and profess the utmost faith, but it is impossible to see how his nomination can be carried…”. As for the candidates, it notes: “…Mr. Seward will lead, Mr. Bates will come next, and Mr. Chase will be third…Mr. Cameron will come next, and then Mr. Lincoln…”. By the reporter’s reckoning, Lincoln was a distant 5th.

Ultimately, as the following days would give evidence, Seward led on the first ballot but fell short of a majority, while Lincoln would finish in a strong second place. Cameron’s delegates shifted to Lincoln on the second ballot, leaving Lincoln essentially tied with Seward. Lincoln clinched the nomination on the third ballot after consolidating support from more delegates who had backed candidates other than Seward.

All of this is intriguing and noteworthy, but of special collector interest is a comment in the page 4 editorial. It is a simple, yet very prophetic statement: “…Mr. Lincoln of Illinois, however, is rising in prominence.” And so he did, becoming unquestionably one of the most well-known names in all of American history.

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Hidden Gems – What’s that above the story by Charles Dickens?

April 11, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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One of the pleasures of the hobby of collecting Rare & Early Newspapers is the “hidden gems” we find almost daily. Today I was photographing a story written by Charles Dickens within the Concord Daily Monitor (NH) dated December 21, 1865, and low and behold directly above the heading for the story was a poem titled, “Snow Flakes”, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Having contemporary selections from both literary giants within a few inches of each other was certainly something I did not expect. Yet, the discovery at this point was only partly realized. Thanks to the internet I took a few minutes to see what I could unearth about this particular poem, and with little effort I discovered it was a “Poem of the Week” selection in 2023 for The Guardian. Revealing my deficient 6th sense for poetry (or perhaps betraying my hidden affection for snow), at first blush I was a bit surprised that after so many years it had garnered such recognition – that is, until I learned Longfellow had written it in response to his grief over the death of his beloved wife. I love this collectible!

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Snapshot 1768 – Ben Franklin’s thoughts on the poor…

April 7, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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I am currently reading “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” (by Walter Isaacson), and often struggle to put it down. One of the many new things I’ve learned about Franklin: he was always a “work in progress”. Many of his views on significant topics of the day changed over his lifetime – often as a result of his ongoing quest for new information. He was certainly the poster-child for a “life-long learner”.

Two among these adjustments were his thoughts regarding the capabilities of blacks (specifically slaves), and his royalist (devotion to England) inclinations – both which morphed into positions more in line with current thought. However, one stance which stood the test of time and adjusted only microscopically (if at all) was his strong posture towards personal industry – regardless of one’s societal rank. If you were poor, you should work to the best of your abilities in all you do. If you were wealthy, your industry should overflow into looking for ways to contribute to the betterment of society – which included caring for those who were less fortunate. While he was always compassionate toward those at the bottom of the economic ladder, he was also a firm believer in the mantra: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” He was convinced that handouts to those who were not industrious would only inspire others to join the ranks of the lazy. As harsh as this sounds, his attitude towards those who personally consumed the bulk of their own abundance was no less gracious.

While he spoke on this topic quite often, he put his thoughts to paper through a letter printed in The Gentleman’s Magazine for April, 1768: “Hardheartedness to the Poor Considered”. As was often the case, he signed it using one of his many pseudonyms (Medius). The entire letter is shown below. Whether you agree with his stance or not, one can not argue that he was being vague.

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Contribution from N.G. – Anson Burlingame’s historic 1856 speech…

April 4, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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Many are familiar with the anti-slavery speech of Senator Charles Sumner which was greeted with his near-death caning (repeated blows from a walking stick) by Senator Preston Brooks was pro-slavery. However, I was not aware of Congressman Anson Burlingame’s fiery defense of Sumner’s position which is credited for being instrumental in galvanizing the pro-abolition resolve of Northern citizens. It is interesting to note how often good grows from the pain and suffering of adversity, suffering, and ill-intent. What Brooks intended to silence abolitionist views spawned quite the opposite.

I am indebted to one of our collecting friends, N.G., who brought this historic speech to our attention.  The full text was printed in several newspapers of the day, including the New York Daily Tribune dated June 25, 1856. Whereas a snippet is shown below, the text of his entire speech is available online.

Background (source – GROK):

The Burlingame Speech of 1856, formally titled “Defense of Massachusetts,” was delivered by Anson Burlingame, a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, on June 21, 1856, in the House of Representatives. Its significance lies in its bold confrontation of the escalating tensions between the North and South over slavery, its defense of Northern principles, and its role in galvanizing anti-slavery sentiment during a pivotal moment in American history.

The speech was a direct response to the brutal caning of Senator Charles Sumner by Representative Preston Brooks on May 22, 1856, an event that shocked the nation and intensified sectional conflict. Sumner, a Massachusetts senator, had delivered an anti-slavery speech titled “The Crime Against Kansas,” which provoked Brooks, a pro-slavery Southerner from South Carolina, to attack him with a cane on the Senate floor. Burlingame’s address condemned Brooks’ actions as an assault not only on Sumner but on free speech, Massachusetts, and the broader cause of liberty. He described the attack vividly, stating that Brooks “stole into the Senate, that place which had hitherto been held sacred against violence, and smote [Sumner] as Cain smote his brother,” framing it as a moral outrage that transcended personal violence.

The significance of the speech is multifaceted. First, it marked a turning point in Northern resolve. Burlingame’s fiery rhetoric and unapologetic stance signaled that Northern leaders would no longer tolerate Southern aggression passively. He defended Massachusetts’ anti-slavery efforts, including its personal liberty laws that resisted the Fugitive Slave Act, and praised its role in opposing the spread of slavery into Kansas. This defiance challenged the South’s expectation of Northern compliance and asserted a willingness to fight for democratic principles.

Second, the speech had immediate political repercussions. Burlingame’s scathing denunciation of Brooks as a coward provoked a challenge to a duel, which Burlingame accepted. His choice of rifles and a location on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls—knowing Brooks would hesitate to travel through hostile Northern territory—forced Brooks to back down, enhancing Burlingame’s reputation as a fearless anti-slavery advocate. This episode amplified the speech’s impact, turning Burlingame into a Northern hero and further polarizing the nation.

Finally, the speech contributed to the growing momentum of the Republican Party and the abolitionist movement. Delivered at a time when the nation was fracturing over slavery, it rallied Northerners to the cause of freedom and democracy, reinforcing the idea that the conflict was not just about policy but about fundamental values. Historians note that it resonated widely, with one observer calling it “the most celebrated speech” of Burlingame’s career, reflecting its emotional and political resonance.

In summary, the Burlingame Speech of 1856 was significant for its bold stand against Southern violence, its defense of Northern ideals, and its role in mobilizing anti-slavery sentiment, making it a key moment in the lead-up to the Civil War.

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This Month in History – April…

April 1, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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What a month! As we consider the month of April one would be hard-pressed to find another which is pregnant with as many recognizable historic events. While any attempt to come up with the most noteworthy would certainly be anemic, most efforts to create a shortlist would likely include: Lincoln’s assassination, the attack on Fort Sumter, the end of the Civil War, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the Pony Express’ maiden trek, the U.S. Mint, Microsoft, and Apple are born, Jesse James is killed, the Titanic sinks, Paul Revere (and his compatriots) make their famous ride, the Revolutionary War begins (i.e., “The shot heard ’round the world” is fired”), a mutiny occurred on the HMS Bounty, Benjamin Franklin dies, and more. The following link will take you to our available newspapers from the month of April:

NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN APRIL

*Although we do not have a contemporary newspaper report to offer (since what we call “newspapers” were yet to exist), far be it from me to not mention the most impactful April event of all time: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

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Announcing: Catalog #353 for April, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

March 28, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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The April catalog (#353) is now available. Shown below are links to various segments of the catalog, our currently discounted newspapers, and recent posts to the History’s Newsstand Blog. Please enjoy.

CATALOG #353 – This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of more than 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: Paine’s “American Crisis”… Nathan Hale is hanged, an issue with Ben Franklin’s imprint, Washington’s Farewell Address to the Army, the Battle of Trenton… Washington crosses the Delaware, a rare Oxford Gazette from 1665, news from the explorers Lewis & Clark, and more.

 

Helpful Links to the Catalog:

 

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DISCOUNTED ISSUES – What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at: Discount (select items at 50% off)
————–
Thanks for collecting with us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

570-326-1045

[The links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days

upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.]

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Collecting Newspapers – The Basics (Part II) – What to Expect…

March 24, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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The 2nd installment of “Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” continues with a focus on the answers to handful of common questions: “Why does my newspaper look like it came from a bound volume, and what are the small holes along the spine?”, “Considering their age, what their condition?”, “Why is my issue so small?”, “How many pages do they have?, “Will it be brittle?” “What is ‘foxing’?”, “What does ‘chipping’ mean?, “Why is the old newspaper I just received so white – is it a reprint?”, and similar. Whereas many of these questions are answered in detail through dedicate posts, a quick primer is provided the page shown below which comes from the brochure we send out to new collectors.

Additional information about the hobby can be found through this Blog and on the Rare Newspapers’ website.

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A Fly on the Wall… Ben Franklin at the Printing Press…

March 21, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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This post continues the series… “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall.”

My husband, Guy, is in the middle of reading the book “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” by Walter Isaacson. Fortunately for me, each morning over coffee, he loves to share the latest adventures of Ben Franklin – from childhood to Founding Father. His creativity, resourcefulness and brilliance which was present from a young age is inspiring, and watching Franklin mature as the pages turn is a delight.

While I am sure any moment in Ben Franklin’s life is worthy of an, “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall” moment, today, a particular one came to mind which ironically involved newspapers:

THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 19, 1753 is a highly sought after collectible issue regardless of the printer; however, the addition of “Printed by B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL at the New Printing Office, near the Market” on the back of the newspaper (*when present) makes it even more so. I can just imagine Franklin pouring over his printing press – ruminating over a plethora of ideas for clever articles, puzzles, and tidbits of world-altering wisdom, and then watching some burst forth onto the pages of what was undoubtedly the most popular newspaper of the day, and the 2nd-most sought after publication (his Poor Richard’s Almanac claimed the top spot for a number of years). The image this solicits in my mind certainly leads me to include his “Franklin imprint” in the “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall” category.

* His imprint, whether it was just his name or included D. Hall’s (depending upon the ownership status of the publication), was always printed at the bottom of the back page. Unfortunately, some issues tacked on an extra advertising leaf in which it was printed, and most of these were handled in the same manner as the advertising inserts of today. They were read and then thrown away. Thankfully, although increasingly rare, some of the issues containing these desirable imprints can still be found.

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