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They Put It In Print – The 12th President of The United States…
February 16, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Who was the 12th president of The United States of America? Okay, perhaps your high school civics teacher didn’t require you to memorize their names in chronological order, but in case they did I’ll give you a little more time so you can run through them starting with Washington (hint, you’ll need more than both hands to count them out).
At this point I’m sure many have opted to simply do a quick internet search to “remember”. Cheating??? No judgement here. Do you have your answer?
Here goes…
So, did you come up with rolyat yrahcaz (the name is spelled backwards so your eyes wouldn’t easily notice it while reading the 1st two paragraphs)? However, NO! Sorry.
The one who was elected to be the 12th president refused to be inaugurated on the given day (March 4, 1849) since it was scheduled to be held on a Sunday. Being a “religious man”, he felt it improper to take the oath of office on the Christian Sabbath. Left with the unacceptable dilemma of having the top seat in the land left vacant, albeit for a short time, David Rice Atchison was sworn in to serve as “president for a day”. How do we know? The National Intelligencer for March 10, 1849 put it in print:
While the state of Missouri (Atchison’s home state) affirms this, the official website of the Senate of the United States says otherwise – and provides their reasoning.
Yet, who is right? I’m not a political scholar, but if accuracy of information provides a clue this same “official” article also says this rumor 1st appeared in the March 12th issue of the Alexandria Gazette… and we know for a fact this to be false. Again, how do we know? Our newly discovered issue is dated two days prior.
I love this collectible!
Capturing the Vibe… Science, Invention, Exploration & Industry from the 1920’s…
February 9, 2024 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Nerdy things this month in our continuing series, “Capturing the Vibe” where we try to imagine what the world felt like to a newspaper reader from the past by immersing ourselves in their “vibe of the day”. This month we explore an issue of Scientific American from the 1920’s which documents the latest and greatest inventions of the day.
In this regard…
Some Scientific American issues have front color covers which always grab my attention.
These ladies are ladies are repurposing airplane struts as toys for tots …
Artists visit the zoo to sketch real live animals …
The Panama Canal has new terminals added…
Perhaps the beginning of Geothermal? …
And finally, on the back page a beautiful color ad for Federal Motor Trucks.
The World Takes Note… Has Amelia Earhart’s Plane Been Located?
February 5, 2024 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Many historical events spark one’s imagination… the Wright Brothers’ 1st flight from the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, NC… Charles Lindbergh’s courage crossing the Atlantic and all the drama that ensued… followed by Amelia Earhart’s “last” flight and mysterious disappearance. As of this month, we have a new intriguing event to add to this list of aviation stories. According to TIME Magazine: “A 16-person team led by Deep Sea Vision, a company in South Carolina, used an unmanned, underwater drone to scan more than 5,200 square miles of ocean floor between September and December of 2023. Sonar data reviewed in December revealed an image that the company’s founder, Tony Romeo, believes is Earhart’s plane, Lockheed 10-E Electra, that she was flying when she went missing in 1937. ”
Like previous news items, we will just have to wait to know the final outcome, however, some of us who love the feeling of adventure and daring wrapped up in the stories of early flight may want to revisit those heroes of the past as we wait with baited breath for news of that famous Lockheed Electra.
This Day in “News” History… January 26th…
January 26, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Another day of news as reported in original newspapers… January 26th…
There are many internet sources available to explore what happened on a particular day in history. However, as collectors and resellers of “Rare & Early Newspapers”, our curiosity lies in what people were reading in their morning newspaper on specific days in history. In nearly every instance they were discovering what happened the day prior – and if one reaches back into the 1600s, 1700’s, and early 1800s, when news travelled a bit more slowly, they very well could have been (finally) reading about “rumored” and/or anticipated events from days, weeks, or even months prior.
Today’s adventure?
What about January 26th? The following link will take you to all of our available newspapers dated January 26th:
NEWS REPORTED in NEWSPAPERS on January 26th (through time)
Enjoy the trek. Oh, and if you want to try other dates, go here and plug in any month/day of interest.
The Western Lives On…
January 22, 2024 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
I am sure there are some who would call me an old fuddy duddy… fortunately not my kids. However, as I look at the current entertainment landscape and how it is struggling to maintain its former glory, I am pleased to see that the classic Western seems to keep going strong. From people I talk with to merchandise I see at Costco and Sam’s Club, clearly Yellowstone and all its spinoffs are extremely popular! Yellowstone Ranch coffee mugs, hoodies and t-shirts are plentiful, and my husband is fully engaged with the newest series. I suppose it is not surprising that Wild West content from the day it occurred is equally popular as seen in THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH, Arizona, August 7, 1880. These larger-than-life characters which produced headlines like: “Satan’s Gang Break Loose at an Ohio Campmeeting [sic]” capture the imagination and give us a real-life glimpse into the history of our nation as it expanded westward.
So, whether you prefer the latest TV drama or reading the paper of the day, the Wild West beckons all of us to join the adventure.
Capturing the Vibe… July 4th…
January 5, 2024 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Welcome back to our ongoing series “Capturing the Vibe” where we try to imagine what the world felt like to a newspaper reader from the past by immersing ourselves in their … “vibe of the day”. This month I was drawn to a paper which was around the celebration of Independence Day 1895. It certainly gives Summer Vibes which is greatly appreciated as Winter is in full swing!
So, on we go with this month’s issue…
The Helena Herald is out of Montana … Big Sky Country.
Summer is a time for weddings and in Helena, they warranted front page attention.
Celebrations will cover the whole state but the fireworks in Helena will “Excell Anything in the State”.
Full pages of old-fashioned ads delight the eyes.
The Wool Shearing has gone slower than normal however, The Yellowstone Valley is selling their wool for 8.5 cents – 10 cents.
Not much $ to use for gambling but no need to worry as “The Law Prohibiting Gambling is now in Force in Montana”.
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”…
December 13, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The world-famous article shown below appeared in THE (New York) SUN on September 21, 1897. It is certainly one of the most challenging issues to collect as few are known to exist. It has been said this may very well be the most recognized editorial of all time. Found on page 6 and headed: “Is There a Santa Claus?”, this is the famous “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial written by Francis Pharcellus Church, a sardonic Columbia College graduate & veteran Sun writer, he produced a masterpiece in fewer than 500 words.
Although the letter from Virginia and the famous response by Church have become well known (translated into 20 languages), few would know the prefacing paragraph which immediately precedes Virginia’s letter: “We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:…” and then Virginia’s letter and Church’s response.
The famous phrase “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus…” begins the second paragraph, and the letter closes with: “…No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”
The press tracked Virginia until her retirement as a 70-year-old school teacher, while Church remained anonymous as the author until his death in 1906.
As for Church, he was a hardened cynic and an atheist who had little patience for superstitious beliefs, did not want to write the editorial, and refused to allow his name to be attached to the piece. More than a century later, it is the most reprinted editorial in any newspaper in the English language. This reality is a great reminder to all of us to always give our best effort, even when we don’t necessarily agree with those whom are in authority over us – moral conflicts accepted.
So, for a few brief moments let’s set aside the weight of “enlightenment” which is pressed upon us by virtue of adulthood and attempt to appreciate the sweet exchange between a “cynical” journalist and a curious, yet innocent, young girl. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to ALL!
Announcing: Catalog #336 for November, 2023 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
November 3, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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CATALOG #336
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[The links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days
upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.]
The reason I collected it: The John-Donkey – 1848…
October 30, 2023 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
While historic events & people–whether they be tragic, heroic, or celebratory–are the domain for most collectors, venturing out of this arena into the small world of comic and satire magazines can be a refreshing change.
This title is a great example, and in my 47 years of collecting newspapers this is the only issue I have encountered. It lasted but 29 weekly issues in 1848. Its significance is such that Frank L. Mott, in his book “A History of American Magazines, 1741-1850”, devoted a chapter to this title.
A few comments from his book include: “…John-Donkey always maintained the tradition of his stupidity… he claimed only to be stupid and was continually trying to prove his stupidity…Most of John-Donkey’s articles, long and short, were satires upon contemporary events or fads, upon organizations, movements, and persons. Politics were prominent…The first page of each issue bore a series of pictures of John Donkey himself in various attitudes…Each number contained a political cartoon, full pate in size, and printed on an unbacked leaf [the print in this issue of ‘The Pennsylvania Thimble-Rigger’, blank on the reverse]… It is very probable that the seven libel suits filed against the John-Donkey in May had something to do with its demise…”. The photos below is of the issue dated March 11, 1848 – the one I collected.
Who will be the Superpowers of the 22nd century?
October 9, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
While Great Kingdoms come and Great Kingdoms go, no one can argue that The British Empire owned the title of Superpower for much of the 1600’s through 1800’s. This is not to disparage Spain, Prussia, France, Russia, Portugal and the entire Asian and African regions, but during this stretch of time, England/Britain had staying power to go with their strength. However, as the writing on the wall began to identify potential challengers to their title, it is interesting to hear who Lord Stanley, the notable British Prime Minister in 1858, had to say would be the major powers of the 20th century. An article with his thoughts which would prove to be prophetic in less than 100 years appeared in the March 22, 1858 issue of The New York Times. I wonder who will be the global force(s) 100 years from today? Bonus question: Will their dominance reach into the heavens… or to the depths of the sea?