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August 2026 Newsletter – Rare & Early Newspapers…
August 14, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Who’s Who in Newspapers? George Ray Tweed edition (1944)…
August 10, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
If you’re a World War II history enthusiast, you might recognize the name George Ray Tweed — a U.S. Navy radioman known to the world as the “Ghost of Guam.” Yet few realize the sheer grit, luck, and quiet resistance required to pull off one of the most remarkable survival stories in American military history.
When Japanese forces invaded Guam in December 1941, Tweed refused to surrender alongside his comrades. Instead, he slipped into the island’s rugged jungle with little more than a rifle, a radio, and an unwavering determination to stay free. For over two and a half years, Tweed evaded intense enemy patrols, relying on the immense courage of local Chamorro families who risked torture and execution to keep him hidden, fed, and supplied. Using his background as a technician, he even built a crude radio receiver to gather Allied news, transforming himself into a symbol of hope for the occupied islanders.
If you are fascinated by human resilience—and the incredible bravery of civilians who risked everything in wartime—spending a little time researching Tweed’s survival on Guam is deeply inspiring. It serves as a powerful reminder of how ingenuity, faith, and the loyalty of brave allies can overcome seemingly impossible odds.
We discovered him quite by accident as we were searching for a client’s request for a “birthday newspaper“ from the same week. Thankfully, while extracting the date he wanted, we noticed this headline and corresponding photo (in the Minneapolis Morning Tribune, Aug. 11, 1944) which motivated us to see what we could learn about him.
Below is a photo featuring the bold front-page headline: “Dodges Japs 2 1/2 Years on Guam”.
Catalog 369 (for August, 2026) is now available!
July 31, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
August’s catalog (#369) is now available. This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: Cornwallis surrenders to Washington at Yorktown, Washington’s first inauguration, the “Cherokee Phoenix”, the Battle of Bunker Hill, a rare 18th century newspaper from Canada, a huge headline on 
the end of World War II, a displayable issue on the death of Marilyn Monroe, and more. To view the entire catalog, go to:
Catalog #369 (for August, 2026)
What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at:
Discount (select items at 50% off)
Recent Posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog may be accessed at:
Our most recent video:
The Declaration Proclaimed – Military Challenges + Growing Confidence
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July 2026 Newsletter – Rare & Early Newspapers…
July 17, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Welcome to the latest July, 2026 newsletter from
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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on June/July, 1776)…
July 15, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
- Revolution Gaining Momentum – Building on Resistance (Lead-up to a Nation – E44)
- Irreconcilable Actions of England – Royal Authority Suppressed (Lead-up to a Nation – E45)
- The Brink of Independence – England Clings to Hope of Peace (Lead-up to a Nation – E46)
- The Virginia Convention – Colonies urged toward Independence (Lead-up to a Nation – E47)
- Centuries of Struggle – One Declaration that Changed the World (Lead-up to a Nation – E48)
We hope you’ve are enjoyed this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As we continue with the next phase of the journey, as mentioned previously, all accounts will be 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)
Catalog 368 (for July, 2026) is now available!
July 2, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Catalog #368 (for July) is now available. For those residing in the United States: Happy 250th! For everyone… the links below will take you to the new catalog, a new video in the “Lead-Up to a Nation” series, a set of discounted newspapers, and the most recent post on the History’s Newsstand blog. Please enjoy!
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Spinning the Yarn: The Power of Newspapers as Primary Sources…
June 21, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A collecting friend of ours has published a newspapers-tethered book that might interest many of you. The following summary is provided in case you’d like to take a look:
Spinning the Yarn—written by author Paul M. Bohannon—offers a compelling and original contribution to early baseball history, grounded firmly in the rich evidentiary value of historic newspapers. Drawing extensively from period sources such as Porter’s Spirit of the Times and the Sunday Mercury, the book highlights how contemporary reporting captured not just the scores of early games, but the culture, personalities, and pivotal moments that shaped the sport.
One of the book’s most intriguing revelations centers on an 1855 dinner hosted by Samuel Godwin, president of Brooklyn’s Putnam Base Ball Club. This gathering—held after a decisive victory—brought together players, dignitaries, and crucially, newspaper representatives. As documented in these early publications, the evening marked a turning point: an intentional and strategic outreach to the press that helped ignite sustained baseball coverage. The following year’s reports, including detailed accounts of the Putnam Club’s contests, reveal the emergence of a narrative style that would evolve into modern sports writing.
We extend our thanks (and best wishes for success) to Paul for demonstrating so powerfully how (rare &) early newspapers serve as invaluable primary sources for uncovering and preserving… and in this instance, instrumental on forming the story of America’s past.
[newspapers with baseball content]
June 20, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Extra, Extra, Read All About It!
After two decades, we (Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers), have a brand-new website!
The enhancements are best enjoyed first-hand.
Start your discovery at:
RareNewspapers.com
Who’s Who in Newspapers? Moses G. Farmer edition (1879)…
June 8, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The 15th installment of: Who’s Who in Newspapers
When it comes to “man on the street” interviews, the lack of knowledgeable responses often received never fails to confound. We enjoy watching these—which is a bit troubling in itself—but if an interviewer asked, “Who invented the light bulb?”, I’d bet 75% would answer correctly, especially with a few “Thom… Thomas… Thomas Ed…” clues.
However, and to be fair, few of us (myself included) could name the pioneers who paved the way. Enter Moses G. Farmer. Thanks to a January 11, 1879, issue of Scientific American titled “THE FIRST ELECTRIC LAMPS,” I discovered this fascinating inventor who lit his Salem, MA, home in 1859—two decades before Edison’s breakthrough.
Using platinum filaments and batteries he had mounted for the purpose in his cellar, Farmer proved electricity could replace gas. Though the cost of platinum and the lack of a vacuum prevented commercial success, his “parlor lights” were the first to move electric light from the lab into a domestic reality – often enlightening dinner guests with his invention.
Farmer provided the “blueprint of failures” Edison needed. He proved electricity could light a home; Edison simply figured out how to make it last longer than a dinner party.
A modern sketch comparing Farmer’s and Edison’s work is shown below.
I love this collectible – and how it fuels the engine of life-long learning.
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on May, 1776)…
June 5, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Hope and Defiance – French Sympathy (E39)
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The New-England Chronicle – A Rare Voice (E40)
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Powerful Resolves – Battlefield Successes (E41)
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Addressing Military Overreach – Precedent for Restraint (E42)
- Common Sense – Condemnation of Monarchy (E43)
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)