Search
History of Newspapers Video (see more)
Email Subscription
Sign up to receive our latest blog updates!Buy Historic Newspapers
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… Black Dahlia found…
July 11, 2019 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with THE BOSTON POST, Massachusetts, January 17, 1947: “FORMER MEDFORD GIRL FOUND SLAIN“
The Traveler… a man of determination…
September 18, 2017 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
I traveled to Boston, Massachusetts today via the Columbian Centinel of September 17, 1817, where I found the obituary for Paul Cuffee. “…He was a descendant of Africa [African Ashanti]: But combated and overcame by the native strength of mind, and a steady adherence to principles which would have done honor to any white man, the prejudices with which the ill-starred inhabitants of the Land of his Fathers, all too generally viewed…”. Upon reading more about Mr. Cuffee on Wikipedia, I found that he was self-taught, a Quaker businessman, sea captain, patriot, and abolitionist, built a lucrative shipping empire and established the first racially integrated school in Westport, Massachusetts.
~The Traveler
Where did it end up? Boston
October 20, 2016 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
As both collectors and sellers of historic newspapers, we (Rare Newspapers) often wonder what happens with many of the issues which pass through our hands. We know some have been given to Presidents, well-known authors, and various public figures throughout the world. Equally rewarding are those which end up in the hands of those whom either love history or have a personal connection with the issue’s content. Many are found in museums for all to see, yet others a likely stored away in boxes for protection and many never again see the light of day. Regardless of their final resting place, we derive a certain degree of satisfaction in knowing we play a part in preserving history in written form. With these thoughts as a backdrop…
We recently became aware of how one issue has been put to use (see image). Feel free to explore:
BOSTON SEMI-WEEKLY ADVERTISER, Sept. 20, 1856
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… Cocoanut Grove fire…
July 23, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, November 30, 1942: “FIRE KILLS 431 IN NIGHT CLUB“…
The City of Boston receives noteworthy journalism award…
March 9, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following is a note we recently received from one of the collector friends of Rare & Early Newspapers:
Happy to report that the section “Boston Journalism Firsts” and other contents of the Boston Journalism Trail site were used to nominate Boston for the Historical Site in Journalism Award given by the American Society of Professional Journalists, the largest journalists organization in the United States. The organization gave its 2014 award to Boston, thus for the first time honoring a whole city for the totality of its contributions to journalism. The organization’s president is to present the city’s mayor with a memorial plaque to be placed in a public space in downtown Boston in 2015. Thanks for all your support over the years.
To view details:
http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=1260
Time capsule dating to 1795 included coins, newspapers…
January 9, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
It’s all over the news (thank you API): “Time capsule dating to 1795 included coins, newspapers!” The time capsule was embedded in a cornerstone of the historic Massachusetts Statehouse by a group which included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. The contents, in part, contained a number of coins, a silver plate with one of Paul Revere’s engravings – often used in the creation of the mastheads for various Boston area newspapers, and several late-18th century Boston newspapers. As newspaper collectors ourselves, we’ll be anxious to discover their exact titles and dates. While we have several authentic issues from the 1700’s with either Boston mentions or which were printed in Boston, it will be interesting to see if those placed within the capsule were included due to noteworthy content, their containing Paul Revere engravings, or for yet another reason. A video and related article covering the opening of the capsule is available at: 18th Century Time Capsule
A gem in the American Antiquarian Society…
July 28, 2014 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
In celebration of its 20oth anniversary the American Antiquarian Society published a beautiful exhibition catalog titled “In Pursuit Of A Vision – Two Centuries of Collecting at the American Antiquarian Society”. Featured are a fascinating array of books, documents, maps & other paper ephemera, as well as several very rare & unusual newspapers we felt worthy of sharing with our collectors (with permission from the A.A.S.).
63. “The New-England Courant“, Boston, February 5, 1722
As a member of the family which controlled the Boston Globe,and as the newspaper’s treasurer from 1893 to 1937, Charles Henry Taylor avidly collected publication on the history of American printing and journalism. He generously donated to AAS anything it lacked. Among his gifts were runs of many important American newspapers, including this issue — the second earliest at AAS — of The New-England Courant.
Only the third newspaper to be printed in Boston, The New-England Courant was published by James Franklin from 1721 to 1726. During the Courant’s first two years, its popularity was bolstered by the publication of fourteen letters from one “Silence Dogood,” the nom de plume of James’s younger brother and apprentice, Benjamin Franklin. But the Courant had a contentious history, as James was often at odds with the provincial government, the powerful Mather family, and other influential Bostonians. In 1723 James was imprisoned by the Massachusetts General Court and ordered to suspend the Courant, a ban which James circumvented by issuing the paper under his brother’s name. Even after Benjamin ran away to Philadelphia in October of that year, the Courant continued to appear under this imprint until it ceased publication.
The front page of this issue contains an extensive article on the smallpox inoculation controversy then raging in Boston. While Cotton Mather and other clergy supported inoculation, many Bostonians disagreed. James Franklin opposed the practice in this and many subsequent articles.
The Traveler… three cheers…
April 22, 2013 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to Boston, Massachusetts, through the Independent Chronicle dated April 22, 1813. There I found Commodore Bainbridge was addressing the sailors of the Constitution as they had been invited to the Theatre. “Sailors, In the action with the Java you shewed yourselves men. You are this ev’ng invited to partake of the amusements of the Theatre. Conduct yourselves well… Let the correctness of your conduct equal your bravery, and I shall have additional cause to speak of you in terms of approbation.” He then informed them that on Monday morning, “pay to them the prize money in consideration of their good conduct in the actions with the Guerriere and Java. The crew received the information with great satisfaction, and gave the Commodore three cheers.”
The article has a concluding paragraph from a correspondent who had observed the attendance of the sailors and the comments to their appearance and behavior.
Blessed are the feet of those who bring good news – for a change.
Regarding the remainder of the issue, I wonder if James Madison suffered from writing cramps after all his signing???
~The Traveler
The Traveler… the battle of Queenston…
October 22, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I journeyed to Boston, Massachusetts by way of the Columbian Centinel dated October 24, 1812. I found several reports in regards to the battle of Queenston, Canada. The reporting begins with Col. Van Rensselaer’s troops having crossed the Niagara River into Upper-Canada and that the batteries in Queenston were attacked . It is stated that Fort George was to have been immediately attacked with troops in Buffalo joining them. Further reports continue with actual loss of the battle and the Col. Van Rensselaer being shot and Gen. Wadsworth being missing, assumed dead. It is interesting to read the different accounts within one issue.
~The Traveler
Rare Newspapers found on The Freedom Trail…
April 30, 2011 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
As of April 15, 2011, the historic Freedom Trail welcomed Boston area’s 1st authentic colonial era print shop, The Printing Office of Edes & Gill. While visiting, patrons will have the opportunity to engage living historians working their printers trade in pre-revolutionary Boston. These same printers were at the vanguard of citizen angst over British governmental policies that Bostonians felt violated their rights as Englishmen. They offer unique personal encounters with history and colonial printing. If you have the opportunity to visit Boston, make sure to pay a visit to this great new addition, located along the Freedom Trail at the historic Clough House, which is owned by and conveniently located adjacent to Old North Church. While there, look for a few Rare & Early Newspapers from our archives. In the meantime, enjoy their new website: The Printing Office of Edes & Gill