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When is dead really dead – USSR edition?
August 4, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Is a chicken dead when its head is cut off, or when it finally stops moving? How about the flower your grandchild just presented to you as a gift? Was it dead as soon as it was severed from the plant, or will it not be dead until it turns brown? How about a marriage (a court document vs. a covenant before God), our very existence (a doctor’s declaration vs. spiritual implications), or a nation – especially if its formation is similar to The United States of America? How many states would need to secede before one could truthfully claim “The United States is no more”?
These were some of my ponderings as I recently came across two issues related to the demise of The Soviet Union. The first was The Philadelphia Inquirer dated August 25, 1991 which reported Mikhail Gorbachev’s resignation and his formal statement requesting for the Soviet Communist Party to dissolve, and the second was a December 9, 1991 issue of The Los Angeles Times which had the bold heading: “Slavic States Call Soviet Union Dead, Form a Commonwealth”. The dissolution may not have been official until December 26, 1991, but many would argue the death really took place back in August when Gorbachev made his announcement and plea. Still some would say its status is more like that of a cicada. Buried, but latently waiting for just the right moment to rise again and loudly make its presence known (the last statement read with the Jaws soundtrack playing in the background). Regardless of how things play out over time, the list of once-powerful nations which no longer exist is a sober warning to anyone who thinks today’s top players will exist forever.
Announcing: Catalog #357 for August, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
August 1, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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August’s catalog (#357)
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Ben Franklin’s 1st contribution to The Gentleman’s Magazine, London…
July 25, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
Many are aware Ben Franklin was a frequent contributor to The Gentleman’s Magazine (London); however, few can name his 1st appearance. What makes the task more difficult is his proclivity for signing his work using pseudonyms. Thankfully his work has been extensively researched – an effort which was aided by his prolific record keeping.
So, was it an article related to electricity, a game (“the morals of chess”), a puzzle (“magic square of squares”), he thoughts on marriage, or a treatise regarding the poor? No, it was the text of a speech (supposedly) given before a Colonial Court by a woman named of Polly Baker.
Thanks to enhanced research tools, a synopsis is as follows:
“The Speech of Polly Baker” is a satirical essay first published anonymously in The Gentleman’s Magazine in April 1747. It is now widely attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who is believed to have written it around 1746. Although the piece was initially published without attribution, Benjamin Franklin is almost certainly the author. This is supported by evidence from Franklin’s own correspondence, accounts from contemporaries, and stylistic analysis. Franklin was known for using pseudonyms and anonymous satire to criticize social and political norms, and this work fits that pattern.
Summary
- The essay takes the form of a fictional courtroom speech by a woman named Polly Baker, who is on trial for the fifth time for having an illegitimate child out of wedlock—a crime under colonial law.
- In her speech, Polly eloquently defends herself by questioning the justice of punishing women for fornication while men (the fathers) go unpunished and even rise to positions of honor.
- She argues that she has done nothing wrong morally, since she brought children into the world and cared for them, and should be praised, not punished.
- The satire points to:
- Hypocrisy in the legal system.
- The unequal treatment of women, particularly in matters of sexuality and reproduction.
- Broader critiques of colonial laws and moral attitudes.
Historical Significance
- “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” is one of the earliest American critiques of gender inequality.
- It reflects Enlightenment ideals—particularly reason, natural rights, and critiques of tradition.
- The piece prefigures later feminist arguments about the double standards in sexual morality.
Reception in 1747
- When it was published, readers largely did not know it was a satire by Franklin.
- Many believed the account was true, and some thought Polly Baker was a real person.
- The piece generated significant interest and discussion in Britain and the American colonies, especially because of its radical tone.
- It was reprinted widely in newspapers and magazines, suggesting it was popular and provocative.
Some clergy and conservative voices were critical, viewing the essay as undermining traditional moral values, while Enlightenment thinkers and reform-minded readers praised its rhetorical skill and boldness.
Legacy
- Today, “The Speech of Polly Baker” is studied as a landmark example of early American satire and as a precursor to later feminist and legal critiques.
- It shows Franklin’s ability to use humor and irony to challenge unjust systems and conventions.
Note: The full text of this Franklin work can be read at Founders Online of the National Archives.
The July, 2025 Newsletter from Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
July 19, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Announcing: Catalog #356 for July, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
June 27, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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June 19, 1865 – The historical foundation of “Juneteenth”…
June 19, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
“Juneteenth”, also known as “Freedom Day”, traces its roots to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, officially freeing the last enslaved people in the western Confederacy. Though President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, its enforcement relied on Union military presence, leaving remote areas like Texas unaware of their liberty until Granger’s announcement more than two years later.
In the years that followed, formerly enslaved communities in Texas and beyond began marking June 19th with readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, songs like “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and family gatherings. These early observances blended solemn reflection on the horrors of slavery with joyful celebration of resilience and community, laying the groundwork for a distinctly African American holiday honoring freedom and heritage.
Though Texas led the way by making Juneteenth an official state holiday in 1980, its recognition spread gradually until June 17, 2021, when it became a federal holiday—Juneteenth National Independence Day. Today, Juneteenth invites all Americans to reflect on our nation’s delayed promise of liberty, celebrate African American culture, and renew the commitment to racial equality and justice.
Since Juneteenth’s elevation to a federal holiday in 2021, collectors have eagerly hunted for contemporary newspaper accounts of those first celebrations following General Granger’s Order. Yet, such early reports remain elusive—a notable exception being a brief item in the June 21, 1866 issue of The New York Times (shown below).
Although firsthand press coverage is scarce, that scarcity in no way diminishes the profound significance of American slavery’s end. Our nation’s work to fulfill the promise enshrined in the Declaration of Independence—“that all men are created equal” and endowed with “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”—remains unfinished. We must press on with unwavering resolve, viewing one another through the lens of divine dignity birthed by our Creator and allowing that vision to guide how we honor and uplift each and every person.
For those who would like to explore additional related topics through the eyes of “rare & early” newspapers, feel free to peruse the issues found through the following links:
Slavery
Emancipation
Abolition
Snapshot June, 1875 – Winslow Homer…
June 16, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Just for fun, I searched through our listings (RareNewspapers.com) to see what interesting events made the news during the month of June from 150 years ago. Honestly, I was slightly underwhelmed. My next step was to search On This Day’s website to see if perhaps we had missed any significant events. Again, and with sincere apologies to anyone who might know of something “newsworthy” which occurred during this timeframe, I think I dosed off once or twice while reading through the list – and it was relatively short. Not prone to raising a white flag prematurely, I made one last attempt adding the key word “newspapers” to my inquiry, and there it was. While my “find” may not be interesting to most, it certainly was to our beloved collectible:
Winslow Homer’s last print for Harper’s Weekly appeared within the issue dated June 26, 1875 – 150 years ago this month. After such wonderful contributions as his “Beardless Lincoln”, “Gathering Berries”, “Snap the Whip”, “Waiting for a Bite” and more, what might he chose to illustrate for his final curtain call? A tribute to those who put their lives on the line for the sake of freedom. Shown below is his “Battle of Bunker Hill–Watching the Fight From Copp’s Hill, In Boston”.
Thanks Winslow. You certainly did your part to help immortalize key events and unique personalities from the mid/late 1800s.
The June, 2025 Newsletter from Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
June 13, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Where game history, moral philosophy, and educational theory collide…
June 9, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
Ben Franklin’s contributions to The Gentleman’s Magazine of the 18th century are well documented, and in multiple instances, quite collectible. A handful of the his more noteworthy appearances include several regarding electricity, the “Magic Square of Squares”, “On the Increase in Mankind”, “Albany Union Plan”, and “The Speech of Miss Poly Baker”. One of the more interesting is his desirable (from a collecting standpoint) “The Morals of Chess”, which appeared in the July, 1787 issue. A bit of research regarding its significance is as follows:
Benjamin Franklin’s essay The Morals of Chess, written in the late 18th century, is a groundbreaking work that presents chess as more than a game, but as a tool for building moral character. Franklin highlights virtues like courtesy, patience, humility, and attentiveness, which he saw as essential to fair play. This focus on etiquette not only pioneered the concept of sportsmanship in chess but also influenced the formal codes of conduct later embraced by chess clubs and federations, establishing the game as a model for civil behavior.
Beyond etiquette, Franklin uses chess as a metaphor for life, reflecting virtues such as prudence and generosity against vices like rashness and envy. He positions the game as a didactic instrument, capable of teaching both strategic thinking and ethical decision-making. This perspective helped cement the idea that games can mirror real-world challenges, offering lessons in intellect and morality—a notion that resonated with later educators and writers who championed “learning through play.”
Finally, the essay embodies Franklin’s Enlightenment ideals of rationality, self-improvement, and social responsibility. By promoting chess as an accessible activity for all, not just the elite, he democratized it, framing it as a means of personal and civic growth. The Morals of Chess thus transformed the game from a courtly pastime into a lasting symbol of strategic thought and ethical conduct, shaping its role in education and society to this day.
Additional details can be viewed on our website at: Franklin’s Morals of Chess
Announcing: Catalog #355 for June, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
May 30, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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The June catalog (#355) is now available. Shown below are links to various segments of the catalog, our currently discounted
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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.]