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January Newsletter (2026) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
January 19, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
| Welcome to the first newsletter of 2026. The past few weeks have been pregnant with in-house discoveries – several which are included within new listings or through the highlights shown below. For those who love to collect, appreciate history, and desire to be life-long learners, this hobby brings all of these together with the added bonus of “context” – the capacity to at least partially grasp how those who actually experienced key events perceived what we now call history. I love this collectible! No, my enthusiasm was not AI enhanced/generated. 🙂
Let’s jump right in with a few important links (don’t miss the “discoveries”):
Dr. B Church Jr – American Traitor (E22) Field Music Corps – The Drummer Boys of the Revolution (E23) Battle of Quebec – “Unsuccessful but Brave Attempt” (E24)
The Weekly Chronotype (turns out it’s a notable abolitionist newspaper) The Nippu Jiji… (turns out it’s not a Nippon Fiji)
The Spirit of the West Returns… America Returns to Her Roots… 1776-2026: The Dream Still Shines at Dawn’s Early Light! Popcorn, Principle, & the Presidency: JFK’s Quiet Stand for Artistic Courage… A Colonial “2nd forgery” with intriguing backstory… Cape Fear (pt. II)…
From Dreams to Reality… Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Paves the Way… |
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Who’s Who in Newspapers? Lewis H. Latimer edition…
January 16, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
The 11th installment of: Who’s Who in Newspapers
Lewis who? A collecting-friend recently asked us if we had the death report of Lewis H. Latimer. He sends us similar requests quite frequently, but it rare that I have never heard of the person who’s obit he is seeking. Lewis Latimer is one of the exceptions, and the time spent bringing myself up to speed was worth the effort. Such explorations are one of the attributes of collecting historic newspapers so fascinating. Shown below, absent of any editorializing, is what was found in The New York Times for December 13, 1928, followed by a bit of background. I hope you enjoy.
Our Listing on www.RareNewspapers.com:
Black Americana: Lewis H. Latimer’s death report – member of the Edison Pioneers…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec. 13, 1928
* Death report of Lewis H. Latimer
* Member of the Edison Pioneers
* Credited for drawing plans for Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone
Page 29 has a 2-paragraph obituary headed: “LEWIS H. LATIMER DEAD”, which tells of the death of Black-American Lewis Latimer, a member of the Edison Pioneers. See background details below.
Other news of the day is found throughout.
Complete in 60 pages, slightly irregular along the left spine, in very good condition.
Background (Lewis Latimer): Lewis Howard Latimer (1848–1928) was a groundbreaking African American inventor, engineer, and draftsman whose work significantly shaped modern technology. Born in Massachusetts to parents who had escaped slavery, Latimer faced racial barriers throughout his life but persevered through self-education and determination. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War, he taught himself mechanical drafting and was hired by a Boston patent law firm.
Latimer played a key role in drafting the patent drawings for Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone in 1876. He later worked with Hiram Maxim and Thomas Edison, where he improved the carbon filament for incandescent light bulbs, making them longer-lasting, more affordable, and suitable for widespread use. He also authored Incandescent Electric Lighting (1890), the first technical book on the subject.
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (December, 1775)…
January 9, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The Battle of Great Bridge – Decisive Patriot Victory (Lead-up to a Nation – E18)
The Capture of Montreal – High-water Mark (Lead-up to a Nation – E19)
Proclamation of Rebellion – Colonial Response (Lead-up to a Nation – E20)
Prohibiting Trade – Stopping trade between England and the Colonies (Lead-up to a Nation – E21)
We hope you are enjoying this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As mentioned previously, all accounts are rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.
“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)
1776-2026: The Dream Still Shines at Dawn’s Early Light!
January 5, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Whether we call it the Semiquincentennial, America250, the Quarter Millennial, the Sestercentennial, or simply the 250th birthday of the boldest experiment in self-government, 2026 rises like a new dawn—filled with promise, reflection, and hope for every American and every friend of liberty across the world.
The front page below, taken from a newspaper celebrating the Centennial Fourth of July in 1876, carries us back to that earlier moment of celebration—a time when a young nation looked proudly to its past and eagerly toward its future. It reminds us of the countless generations whose courage and sacrifices made possible Franklin D. Roosevelt’s enduring truth:
“We are a nation of many nationalities, many races, many religions—bound together by a single unity, the unity of freedom and equality.”
That vision still lights our way. Yet we are also called to remember Frederick Douglass’s wise and urgent reminder, spoken on the 23rd anniversary of emancipation in the District of Columbia:
“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.”
As we celebrate this extraordinary milestone, may we lift our hearts in gratitude for the Divine grace that has guided us through triumph and trial alike. And as we look ahead, may we renew our shared promise—to preserve every hard-won freedom and to keep lifting the banner of justice, opportunity, and dignity for all who call this land home.
Here’s to the journey still unfolding. Here’s to the dream still alive.
Happy 250th, America!
Helping to usher in The 250th Anniversary of the U.S. – January’s Catalog – #362 Now Available…
January 2, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Our January 2026 catalog is live—and as we enter the year in which we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, this collection offers a powerful reminder of how history was first reported.
Catalog #362 features 350+ newly listed authentic newspapers, including the definitive printing of the Bill of Rights, Washington’s letter to the Jewish Masonic Lodge, strong reporting on the Stamp Act, English accounts announcing American independence, a remarkable Lincoln assassination broadside, Hamilton’s appointment as Secretary of the Treasury, and more. We hope you enjoy.
The January, 2026 Catalog (#362)
Christmas through the eyes of a newspaper from 1794…
December 25, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
As I was searching through our newspapers published on Christmas from the past in the hopes of finding one which would be potentially meaningful to our collecting friends, I came across a December 25, 1794 London Gazette which seemed to hit the mark. I’d love to know if you agree.
Under the heading “AMERICA” on page three I found the entire text of President George Washington’s State of the Union address. It is quite lengthy, and the entire text can be found online, but I was struck by the first and last paragraph – both of which are shown below. Is it me, or could these words have been penned today? Merry Christmas!
Popcorn, Principle, and the Presidency: JFK’s Quiet Stand for Artistic Courage…
December 22, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the many ways we build our database of key issues comes by way of requests from collectors? Case in point: A client recently asked if we had the February 5, 1961 issue of The New York Times which contained an inside report about President John F. Kennedy attending a movie at a local, D.C., public theater. Could such a report be significant; perhaps even collection-worthy? I immediately turned to the internet to see what I could find regarding this seemingly innocuous event. The following is a summary of what I discovered:
From the Silver Screen to the Oval Office: JFK’s Movie Night That Cracked the Blacklist
On February 3, 1961, just weeks after his inauguration, President John F. Kennedy quietly attended a screening of Spartacus at Washington, D.C.’s Warner Theatre. It may have looked like a simple night at the movies, but the moment carried deep cultural significance—marking the beginning of the end for Hollywood’s infamous blacklist.
At the heart of the story was screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, one of the “Hollywood Ten,” who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era for refusing to testify before Congress. For years, Trumbo wrote under assumed names, but Spartacus producer Kirk Douglas decided it was time to credit him openly, defying industry fear and government pressure.
Kennedy knew exactly what that meant. By attending the film—and later praising it—he effectively gave a presidential nod to artistic freedom and to those silenced by the Red Scare. That quiet gesture helped dismantle a decade of fear and restored a measure of integrity to Hollywood.
Symbolically, Spartacus’s story of rebellion and freedom echoed the challenges Kennedy himself would face in a world divided by the Cold War and rising civil rights tensions. What began as a night at the movies became a turning point in America’s cultural history—proof that sometimes the most powerful stands for freedom don’t happen on the battlefield, but in the back row of a darkened theater.
So the question remains: Is this newspaper collection-worthy? My vote is yes, but such a call is certainly subjective.
Snapshot 1775 – North Carolina Declares itself Independent!
December 19, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
According to The Cape-Fear Mercury (from Wilmington, North Carolina) dated June 3, 1775, North Carolina declared itself independent long before the 13 colonies did so in early July, 1776. However, there is a slight problem. The issue containing this announcement was a forgery! Whereas we’ve included a copy of the article below, to grasp the extent of this complex forgery, it would be best to read Tim Hughes’ explanation on the issue’s listing itself: The Cape-Fear Forgery. Enjoy.
Holiday Newsletter (2025) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
December 15, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
| Welcome to the Holiday Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers. Whereas a number of interesting items are included below, don’t miss out on one of our posts from a few years ago: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus“.
This month’s highlights: 1) Newly Listed Catalog Items – The list of items which have been added to our most recent catalog after it went to print continues to grow – including a number of great (highly collectible) issues. These new listings may be viewed at: NEWLY ADDED CATALOG ITEMS 2) Discounted Issues (50% off): 100+ items have been added to last month’s list of discounted issues – each discounted by 50% (as shown) through January 15, 2026! Take a look; you won’t be disappointed: DISCOUNTED ITEMS (50% off) 3) Catalog 361 – Wonderful items from the December catalog still a remain. The available issues may be viewed at: CATALOG 361 4) Holiday-themed content – over 80 collectible newspapers with a Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s theme are available at: ISSUES w/ HOLIDAY-THEMED CONTENT (you may need to view the full description if the “holiday content” is secondary to an historic report) 5) Additional Ideas for Gift Giving:
* Note re: Holiday Shipping – We are sending this newsletter a bit earlier than usual to increase the chance that any item/s ordered will arrive in time for Christmas. If historic/rare newspapers are part of your gifting plans this year, please know we will make every effort to ship incoming orders within 48 business hours. 6) The History’s Newsstand Blog – bi-weekly posts of potential interest to those who collect rare & early newspapers. An aye aye lemur’s handful of recent posts includes:
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Thomas Jefferson helps to codify George Washington’s footsteps…
December 12, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When it comes to collecting rare and early newspapers, those containing the text of presidential annual messages are quite desirable. While a handful are well known (Lincoln’s 2nd annual address, Washington’s 1st, Kennedy’s 1st, etc.), others fly well under the radar. A recently discovered broadsheet (Republican Argus, Extra, Oct. 16, 1808), containing Thomas Jefferson’s final address in 1808 brought this latter group to mind, yet, upon analysis in light of current events, seems to hold its own historically. The summary below, modified from multiple AI sources, is provided so you can draw your own conclusion. Enjoy.
Thomas Jefferson’s Eighth Annual Message to Congress, delivered on November 8, 1808, came at the close of his presidency during a time of international conflict and domestic unrest. He used the address to defend the Embargo Act of 1807, which aimed to protect U.S. neutrality and avoid war with Britain and France by halting foreign trade. Despite its economic toll on American farmers and merchants, Jefferson maintained that economic pressure was preferable to military conflict. The speech also reflected ongoing foreign policy tensions, particularly regarding maritime rights, and the young republic’s efforts to uphold sovereignty amid European aggression.
Jefferson’s speech highlighted the challenges of maintaining neutrality, the importance of strengthening U.S. military defenses, and his vision for internal development, including peace through trade with Native American tribes. It also revealed the political friction of the time, with Jefferson facing criticism from both Federalists and members of his own party over the embargo and proposed federal infrastructure projects. This period of political division underscored deeper questions about the role and limits of federal power in a republic still defining itself.
Most significantly, Jefferson’s 1808 address signaled the end of his presidency and affirmed his decision not to seek a third term. Although he had announced this publicly in 1807, his final annual message served as a symbolic and practical demonstration of his commitment to republican principles. By following George Washington’s example, Jefferson helped establish the precedent that presidents should serve no more than two terms. This voluntary transfer of power reinforced the principle that no individual should hold executive power indefinitely, a safeguard essential to American democracy.
Jefferson’s choice not to pursue a third term, especially during a time of national strain, cemented a critical political norm that influenced every president until Franklin D. Roosevelt. The importance of this precedent lies in its protection against the concentration of power and its promotion of leadership rotation—core values in a constitutional republic. Jefferson’s 1808 address, then, is not just a reflection on policy but a foundational moment in American political tradition, ultimately leading to the formalization of the two-term limit through the 22nd Amendment.