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Humorous content: Patience, my dear…
February 28, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
A brief bit in the “Ocean Chronicle” newspaper of February 14, 1887 reads:
” ‘My dear’, said a young wife to her husband, ‘you have never taken me to the cemetery yet!’ ‘No, my love,’ he replied: ‘that is a pleasure I have yet in anticipation.’ “
No comments necessary. 🙂
The first newspaper in Utah…
February 23, 2009 by TimHughes · 2 Comments
There was a great migration to the West in 1847, just two years before a more historic wave of travelers prompted by the California gold rush, when about 2000 Mormons crossed the western plains seeking a location in which they could peacefully follow their religion. Led by Brigham Young, among the many items they included on their journey was a printing press purchased in Philadelphia.
What is now Utah belonged to Mexico in 1847 but the Mexican War, ongoing in 1847, would result in the 1848 treaty which would pass ownership to the United States. But since federal authorities never established a system of government for this new land, the Mormons took matters into their own hands and in 1849 organized the “State of Deseret” (land of the honey bee) with Brigham Young as governor.
Volume one, number one of the DESERET NEWS newspaper, an eight page newspaper just 8 by 10 1/2 inches, appeared in Salt Lake on June 15, 1850 making it the very first newspaper published in Utah. It printed for just over one year before it was suspended for several months for lack of paper. Begun as a weekly, after just four months it became a semimonthly but returned as a weekly in 1854. Conditions for printing were harsh and crude so far from the more settled areas of the country over 1000 miles to the east.
We are pleased to share with our collectors the August 17, 1850 issue of the DESERET NEWS from our private collection, just the tenth number printed.
A Bizarre Report: Maybe she was angry about her name…
February 21, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The “Courier of New Hampshire” newspaper from Concord, Nov. 21, 1795 has a page 3 item:
“Whereas my wife Sukey, having behaved herself much unbecoming a kind and dutiful Wife, and treated me in a cruel and inhuman manner, by beating, bruising, and otherwise ill-treating me–and having taken from me, without my leave and consent, and carried from my house our only child Robert Osgood, in the 7th year of his age; I therefore hereby forbid any persons harbouring or trusting said Sukey and Robert, or either of them, on my account, as I shall not pay any debt of their contracting after the date of this public notice.”
He should have known better…
February 7, 2009 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
Just for fun…
Sometimes it can take 75 years for a tinge of humor to be found in a tragic report, such as the one in the photo. The headline certainly makes one ask: what was he thinking???
This appeared on the front page of the COLDWATER DAILY REPORTER newspaper, Michigan, Sept. 21, 1934.
18th century American magazines: one to share…
February 2, 2009 by TimHughes · 3 Comments
Magazines published in 18th century America were relative few & far between when compared with newspapers of the same era. From the first magazine in 1741 through the Revolutionary War only 18 magazine titles were published, most lasting but a few issues. During the Revolutionary War only one magazine was in print, and it only lasted from January, 1775 through July, 1776, this last issue containing the Declaration of Independence.
Magazines have always been of interest to me since almost all titles carried various news of the day, typically within the back several pages, much like the British “Gentleman’s Magazine” had done since 1731. Some American magazines contained plates as well, but finding issues with the plates still intact can be extremely difficult and frustrating. The more noteworthy the plate, the less likely it will be present, typically removed by some previous owner many years ago. So when issues come on the market with significant plates still bound within the issue, it’s a moment of much excitement.
Here is one from our private collection, The Columbian Magazine from Philadelphia dated January, 1787, which contains a full page plate of “General Washington”, in addition to a foldout plate of the “Meteorological Observations” for the month of December, 1786. We are pleased to share these photos with our fellow collectors, and wish all of you the great luck in finding your own American magazine with notable prints!
It’s a family affair…
January 31, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Just for fun… Another interesting report…
A report in the CONNECTICUT COURANT of Hartford, April 16, 1790 notes:
“A gang of thieves, near 30 in number, which has for a long time infested Middlesex county, has lately been broken up. Thirteen of them, belonging to one family, were tried last week at Concord, from the Grandfather down to the grandchild.”