Losses of the Past… Sherman’s March to the Sea…

July 11, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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If you have never found your way to the cities of Charleston and Savannah, may I ardently encourage you to make time for a leisurely visit. The beauty and grace of these 2 southern gems inspires and rejuvenates the soul while stirring the mind with lessons learned from a bygone era. Today, as I was familiarizing myself with our upcoming catalog, I came upon the COLUMBIA PHOENIX from April 8, 1865 . I had always been aware of Savannah’s fortunate escape from Sherman’s destructive march and so it was fascinating to ready of a phoenix story… a newspaper rising from the ashes.  How appropriate a name given its quick assent after Sherman’s flames. Below is an interesting summary highlighting this printed treasure.

“The Columbia Phoenix arose out of the charred remains of Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina, in the aftermath of the Civil War to record its losses and bear witness to its gradual recovery. A triweekly newspaper, the Phoenix first appeared on Tuesday, March 21, 1865, mere weeks after fires had razed a third of the city. It struck a defiant tone, declaring, “Our city shall spring, from her ashes, and our Phoenix, we hope and trust, shall announce the glorious rising! God save the state!”
Proprietor Julian A. Selby boasted considerable experience in the newspaper business, having formerly owned the Tri-Weekly South Carolinian. In establishing the Columbia Phoenix, however, he literally started from scratch. In the weeks immediately following the city’s destruction, Selby scoured the state for paper, a press, and printing supplies. He and his assistants fashioned for themselves the things they could not find. He also secured the services of renowned Southern literary critic, novelist, and poet William Gilmore Simms as editor. Living conditions in the capital city were so desperate that, early on, the staff offered to accept food staples such as bacon, eggs, rice, and potatoes as payment in lieu of cash subscriptions. The first ten issues contained a detailed history of the burning of Columbia, which was separately published as Sack and Destruction of the City of Columbia, S.C., in October 1865 (itself edited and republished as A City Laid Waste in 2005).”

I love how a paper from over 150 years ago can inspire a desire in me to stand with as much bravery and as much determination as Julian A. Selby did just weeks after his world burned to the ground. How fortunate to be daily surrounded with these heartening heroes and stories of old.

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From the Vault: American history in British newspapers…

July 7, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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After 50 years in the hobby I can honestly say today as I said then: collecting early newspapers is an inexpensive hobby when compared to other collectibles of like vintage. And the reason is basic economics: supply and demand. Although the collecting fraternity has increased through the years, and the supply of early newspapers has dwindled some, prices still remain a relative bargain for material over 100—and over 200—years old.

Exceptions exist. American newspapers of the 18th century are few and far between today. When I began in the hobby in the mid-1970’s, finding the occasional 18th century bound volume of American newspapers was rather common. I even purchased a number of volumes of colonial and Revolutionary War newspapers printed in the colonies. Such purchases are very rare today, and consequently prices for American titles before the1790’s can be exorbitant for many collectors.

Which brings me to this topic. We are fortunate in this hobby to have a terrific alternative to American newspapers of the colonial era: British newspapers. Keeping in mind that the American colonies were British possessions at the time, considerable American reporting was not uncommon (and I can attest that American newspapers of the same period had considerable European reports!). In fact most British newspapers took their accounts directly from American newspapers so the reporting was identical. And the added bonus of British newspaper reports is commentary with a British bias, offering an interesting perspective to what we remember from history class.

Hobbyists of 25 – 50 years ago eschewed British titles because American titles were so common. But today the collecting market is much different. In many respects I see today’s availability & pricing of British titles much like the situation with American titles 50 years ago. We can find major American events of the colonial era at prices still under $1000 (higher for the “best of the best”) in the London Chronicle or like titles, and under $300 for second tier events.  We find there is typically a 5 fold price difference between reports in American versus British newspapers. We’ve sold the Boston Tea Party for $1150 in the London Chronicle. In an American newspaper a like account would exceed $10,000.  We’ve sold the Boston Massacre in the London Chronicle for the same price. And yet again, it would easily exceed $10,000 in an American title. One of the most significant documents of the Revolutionary War, “The Causes & Necessity For Taking Up Arms”, we sell as a $540 item in the Gentleman’s Magazine, yet we sold it for $5550 in the New England Chronicle a number of years ago – and today it would go for $8,000-$12,000+. Same complete document, both from 1775, one within the budget of most collectors, the other not.

But prices are rising for British imprints as more collectors are becoming aware that if they want their collection to contain all the significant events of the 18th century, British newspapers and magazines are their only alternative.  The Declaration of Independence remains the most desired event for American collectors. An American newspaper printing is beyond the budgets of almost all collectors, if available at all. An auction price of $50,000 – $75,000 would be expected, while we recently sold the same document in the London Chronicle for $8775. But I will also note it was not long ago that we sold it for $4450. Our current price for a front page account of the Battle of Lexington & Concord in the London Chronicle is $985. Our previous sale of the identical dated issue was $440.

Where will the hobby be with such events in another 25-50 years? Will all 18th century newspapers–American and British–be considered museum pieces? Much will determine where prices go and I will not hazard a guess. But I am pleased that as the hobby enters a crossroad in availability versus pricing, we currently have a reasonable path to follow for the foreseeable future. These are interesting times for the collecting fraternity.

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Hearts & Minds… The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms…

July 4, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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One of the 1st lessons I learned as a teacher later served me well as a parent… the most important thing you need to accomplish when trying to unify any group to accomplish any task is to create “by in” and the only way to create lasting “by in” is to “win hearts and minds”. With our children, Guy & I meticulously laid out a family ethos and then instructed, molded & cajoled till we finally had the “by in” we needed for a healthy functioning family.  In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we were sending the little birds into the wide world to intentionally build their own nests. Apparently, Thomas Jefferson had learned the same lessons before he composed The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. The monumental, world changing struggle to come would need people who were true believers and who could articulate the American struggle as a defense of natural rights and liberties, not outright rebellion. THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL on July 29, 1775 includes an entire front page of this imperative precursor to the Declaration of Independence, demonstrating “winning hearts and minds” in its most eloquent and effective form. What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by focusing on the document which planted those very 1st seeds. Below is a link to the entire writing for you to enjoy. Happy Independence Day to all!!! & GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

 The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms

 

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Claiming the Land… America Presses Westward…

June 30, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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There are few events which capture the enormity and drama of America and her people more than the Westward Expansion. Vast lands to be settled and courageous people have produced tales and legends which continue to inspire generations to dream big and bravely press into the great unknown.

As our founder Tim Hughes states in his discription… “Considered to be one of the most significant achievements of the Congress of the Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 put the world on notice not only that the land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi would be settled but that it would eventually become part of the United States. Until then this area had been temporarily forbidden to development.
Increasing numbers of settlers and land speculators were attracted to what are now the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. This pressure together with the demand from the Ohio Land Company, soon to obtain vast holdings in the Northwest, prompted Congress to pass this Ordinance.”

THE NEW HAVEN GAETTE & THE CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE on August 2, 1787 captures this monumental event at the moment of its birth. Feel free to browse this rare issue and let your dreams run wild.

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Announcing: Catalog #356 for July, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

June 27, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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July’s catalog (#356) is now available. The links shown below will take you to various segments of the new catalog, new posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog, and discounted issue. Please enjoy!

Catalog #356 (for July): Our latest offering of authentic newspapers contains over 300 new items. Among them are the Constitution of the United States, the “Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms” on the front page, Hawaii’s first English language newspaper, an early newsbook from 1643, the Boston Massacre, a British review of “Common Sense”, a rare printing of Alexander Hamilton’s greatest work (“Report on Manufactures”), the British reaction to Washington being named commander-in-chief, perhaps the best Marilyn Monroe death newspaper to be had, synagogues hold memorial services in honor of Abraham Lincoln, along with a number of additional highly sought after titles, historic reports, and unique issues. These newspapers we often refer to as “The Best of The Best” may be viewed at: noteworthy issues.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

         1500-1799 (full view OR quick-scan/compact view)

         1800-1899 (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)

         1900-Present (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES – What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at: Discount (select items at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND – Recent Posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog may be accessed at: History’s Newsstand
Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

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Filed under: Announcements, Catalog Release Announcements, Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Confederate, Death Reports, Great Headlines, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Old West Era, Post Civil War, Pre Civil War, Revolutionary War, Sports, The 1500's, The 1500's - 1700's, The 1600's, The 1700's, The 19th Century, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Hobby, The War of 1812, Yankee
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The reason I collected it: an “association piece” attached…

June 23, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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Occasionally there are items that accompany a newspaper that add a bit of “flavor” to the issue, like a subscription receipt to the newspaper, or a glued subscription label of the subscriber, and occasionally a newspaper that was sent through the postal system with the postage stamp still attached. “The Manchester Guardian” newspaper from England dated July 5, 1861, by itself is inconsequential to history (i.e., it does not appear to contain any historical reports), however, it has an attachment that is rarely found on the front page. In fact, this is the first of this sort we have seen.
Printed on orange paper is a large label headed: “Newspaper Despatch Only. From Liverpool Agency of New York Associated Press…” noting that this newspaper was sent by the steamship “Asia” and that it: “Sailed July 6, 1861” bound for the “HERALD NEW YORK”.
Given this was before the Atlantic telegraph was fully successful, the only way for news to be exchanged across the ocean was by ship. It is possible the Guardian and the Herald had a reciprocal exchange subscription operated by the Associated Press, which was founded 15 years earlier.
Rare to find such an associated attachment and a nice issue to hang on to when found.

Discovery: Under the theme “Golden Nuggets”… After all of the years this has been in-hand, it was just discovered that the back page contains a report on the death of the renowned poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Fun!

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June 19, 1865 – The historical foundation of “Juneteenth”…

June 19, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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“Juneteenth”, also known as “Freedom Day”, traces its roots to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, officially freeing the last enslaved people in the western Confederacy. Though President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, its enforcement relied on Union military presence, leaving remote areas like Texas unaware of their liberty until Granger’s announcement more than two years later.

In the years that followed, formerly enslaved communities in Texas and beyond began marking June 19th with readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, songs like “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and family gatherings. These early observances blended solemn reflection on the horrors of slavery with joyful celebration of resilience and community, laying the groundwork for a distinctly African American holiday honoring freedom and heritage.

Though Texas led the way by making Juneteenth an official state holiday in 1980, its recognition spread gradually until June 17, 2021, when it became a federal holiday—Juneteenth National Independence Day. Today, Juneteenth invites all Americans to reflect on our nation’s delayed promise of liberty, celebrate African American culture, and renew the commitment to racial equality and justice.

Since Juneteenth’s elevation to a federal holiday in 2021, collectors have eagerly hunted for contemporary newspaper accounts of those first celebrations following General Granger’s Order.  Yet, such early reports remain elusive—a notable exception being a brief item in the June 21, 1866 issue of The New York Times (shown below).

Although firsthand press coverage is scarce, that scarcity in no way diminishes the profound significance of American slavery’s end.  Our nation’s work to fulfill the promise enshrined in the Declaration of Independence—“that all men are created equal” and endowed with “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”—remains unfinished.  We must press on with unwavering resolve, viewing one another through the lens of divine dignity birthed by our Creator and allowing that vision to guide how we honor and uplift each and every person.
For those who would like to explore additional related topics through the eyes of “rare & early” newspapers, feel free to peruse the issues found through the following links:

Slavery

Emancipation

Abolition

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Filed under: Noteworthy Issues, Post Civil War, The Collectible Community
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Snapshot June, 1875 – Winslow Homer…

June 16, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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Just for fun, I searched through our listings (RareNewspapers.com) to see what interesting events made the news during the month of June from 150 years ago. Honestly, I was slightly underwhelmed. My next step was to search On This Day’s website to see if perhaps we had missed any significant events. Again, and with sincere apologies to anyone who might know of something “newsworthy” which occurred during this timeframe, I think I dosed off once or twice while reading through the list – and it was relatively short. Not prone to raising a white flag prematurely, I made one last attempt adding the key word “newspapers” to my inquiry, and there it was. While my “find” may not be interesting to most, it certainly was to our beloved collectible:

Winslow Homer’s last print for Harper’s Weekly appeared within the issue dated June 26, 1875 – 150 years ago this month. After such wonderful contributions as his “Beardless Lincoln”, “Gathering Berries”, “Snap the Whip”, “Waiting for a Bite” and more, what might he chose to illustrate for his final curtain call? A tribute to those who put their lives on the line for the sake of freedom. Shown below is his “Battle of Bunker Hill–Watching the Fight From Copp’s Hill, In Boston”.

Thanks Winslow. You certainly did your part to help immortalize key events and unique personalities from the mid/late 1800s.

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The June, 2025 Newsletter from Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…

June 13, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 
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Welcome to the June, 2025 edition of our monthly newsletter. Thanks to everyone who responded to our question concerning the unrecorded issue of “The People“. While on-line information is still elusive, the likelihood of its connection to a publication of the same title which began several years later appears likely. Again… thanks.

As for this month’s newsletter is concerned, below please find links to: new posts on the History’s Newsstand blog, newly discounted items (at 50% off), “bonus items” which were added to this month’s catalog (#355), and our entire June catalog. There is also an invitation regarding the History’s Newsstand. Enjoy!

The History’s Newsstand Blog (new posts)

New Items Added to Catalog 355

Since Catalog 355 went to print we’ve added more than 50 additional issues (including 30+ within the past few days). A few of the highlights include: Adolph Eichmann found guilty (one of the best), Reconciliation rejected (1776), a dramatic issue on the bombing of Pearl Harbor, “First Fleet” about to sail for Botany Bay, trial of Lincoln Conspirators in a racist newspaper, a rare newspaper from Deadwood (Dakota Territory), the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Microsoft reveals “Windows” to the world, and more. The entire list of new items are viewable at:

Catalog 355’s “Newly Listed Items”

This Month’s Set of Discounted Newspapers – 50% Off

Some of the content found within this month’s set of discounted newspapers includes: pre-release color ad for “12 Years a Slave”, review & premiere for “The Color Purple” & “Out of Africa”, review & premiere of “The Help”, creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is found, Adolf Hitler opens the 1936 Summer Olympics, Omaha wins Belmont Stakes for the Triple Crown, mob boss Vito Genovese’s death in 1969, the “opening” of Red China (1978), Bible reading is banned in public schools, etc.. The entire group may be viewed at:

Discounted Newspapers – 50% Off

Catalog 355 (in case you missed it):

The entire Catalog

Key Issues from Catalog 355

Catalog 355 (in “quick scan” format)

Catalog 355 – Priced under $50

INVITATION (revisited)

One of the regular series found on our blog is “SNAPSHOT – YYYY”, where the “Y’s” represent a specific year. The concept is to highlight unusual, unknown, or highly significant events from a particular year. If after perusing the already posted entries you are inspired to share one or more of your own newspapers which you believe would fit in this series, please send a photo and a brief description to me at guy@rarenewspapers.com. Also include whether you would like to be identified (we include your initials, town, and state). Thanks.
As always, thanks for collecting with us!
Sincerely,
Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team
570-326-1045

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Where game history, moral philosophy, and educational theory collide…

June 9, 2025 by · 1 Comment 
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Ben Franklin’s contributions to The Gentleman’s Magazine of the 18th century are well documented, and in multiple instances, quite collectible. A handful of the his more noteworthy appearances include several regarding electricity, the “Magic Square of Squares”, “On the Increase in Mankind”, “Albany Union Plan”, and “The Speech of Miss Poly Baker”. One of the more interesting is his desirable (from a collecting standpoint) “The Morals of Chess”, which appeared in the July, 1787 issue. A bit of research regarding its significance is as follows:

Benjamin Franklin’s essay The Morals of Chess, written in the late 18th century, is a groundbreaking work that presents chess as more than a game, but as a tool for building moral character. Franklin highlights virtues like courtesy, patience, humility, and attentiveness, which he saw as essential to fair play. This focus on etiquette not only pioneered the concept of sportsmanship in chess but also influenced the formal codes of conduct later embraced by chess clubs and federations, establishing the game as a model for civil behavior.

Beyond etiquette, Franklin uses chess as a metaphor for life, reflecting virtues such as prudence and generosity against vices like rashness and envy. He positions the game as a didactic instrument, capable of teaching both strategic thinking and ethical decision-making. This perspective helped cement the idea that games can mirror real-world challenges, offering lessons in intellect and morality—a notion that resonated with later educators and writers who championed “learning through play.”

Finally, the essay embodies Franklin’s Enlightenment ideals of rationality, self-improvement, and social responsibility. By promoting chess as an accessible activity for all, not just the elite, he democratized it, framing it as a means of personal and civic growth. The Morals of Chess thus transformed the game from a courtly pastime into a lasting symbol of strategic thought and ethical conduct, shaping its role in education and society to this day.

Additional details can be viewed on our website at: Franklin’s Morals of Chess

 

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