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Announcing: Catalog #352 for March 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
February 28, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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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.]
Collecting Newspapers – The Basics (Part I) – Eras, Topics, and Titles…
February 24, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We, (Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers), have been offering old and historic newspapers to the collecting community since 1976, with Tim’s first acquisition for his own personal collection taking place in 1975. For those who are either unfamiliar with or new to this amazing hobby, today we are kicking off a revisit of a series of posts, “Collecting Newspapers – The Basics”, to serve en masse as a Primer for those interested in learning more about the collectible. The first installment (below) may appear to be a bit self-serving, but the heart behind it is simply to let seekers know the span of topics and types of newspapers which can be found.
So, what can be found on the pages of Rare & Early Newspapers? While the possibilities are nearly endless, a sampling includes:
Eras: Colonial, Early 1800’s Americana, Reconstruction, Industrial Revolution, Old West, Victorian, Roaring 20’s, “The 60’s”, and similar, plus an abundance of war-eras (French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Texas-Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, etc.). Some prefer to collect by centuries (1600’s, 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s, and now, even the 2000’s).
Topics: Black Americana, Mormon, Gangsters & Outlaws, Judaica, Sports & Entertainment, Inventors & Inventions, Gunfights, Deaths of the Famous, Politics, Presidents, Proclamations, Amendments, Historic SCOTUS Decisions, Trials & Tragedies, Slavery, Famous 1sts & Records, Movie Premiers, Famous Illustrators, and more.
Titles: Oxford/London Gazette, Harper’s Weekly, Frank Leslie’s, Scientific American, Gentleman’s Magazine, London Gazette, Village Voice, Sporting News, and nearly 1,000 other newspaper titles from throughout the United States, along with dozens specifically from the Old West and Colonial eras. Rare & unusual titles are also desirable.
People: Pick any famous person from the 1600’s through 20th century, regardless of the genre or genres for which they are known, newspapers will have undoubtedly recorded what brought their name into public awareness.
Historical Events: Without making a feeble attempt to list examples, if an event has an historical bent, not only will newspapers have recorded it, but they will have done so within the context of the period in which it happened. This is one of the reasons why many writers of both non-fiction and historical fiction seek newspapers from the time and (if possible) location of when and where an event took place. Newspapers make wonderful source material.
These and additional collecting themes can be found on the homepage of RareNewspapers.com. Also take note of the “View All Categories” tab on the right side towards the bottom of the page. If you don’t see what you are looking for, let us know. Our effort to add links to the collecting interests of those who appreciate old newspapers is ongoing.
Additional collecting themes/ideas can also be found throughout this Blog.
Snapshot 1871 – Yosemite Edition…
February 10, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Snapshot 1871…
Well, perhaps technically not a snapshot, but certainly an 1870’s version of such – an amazing woodcut illustration of one of my wife’s and my favorite places to visit:
Sandwiched at the midpoint of the timeline between the Mariposa War and when Yosemite National Park was established, this 1871 print of the Yosemite Valley captures the essence of its unspoiled grandeur. To read the corresponding article written by one who had just recently explored the region, go to:
“The Cub”, November, 1871
This publication describes itself as: “An Amateur Journal devoted to the interests of Boys and Girls”. As I tried to place myself in the shoes of a 19th century boy reading the article after viewing the illustration, I was reminded of the 1st time my wife and I beheld the valley for the 1st time. Standing from a perch atop Glacier Point – a location which enables one to drink in much of the Yosemite Valley in one visual snapshot, my childlike wonder came bursting forth from some long-buried place within, and my spirit cried out in praise to the One who created such things merely for our pleasure. What a memory!
This Month in History – February…
February 3, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Today “This Month in History” turns the spotlight on the shortest month of the year – February. While searching through the available newspapers in order to select one to use as the representative photo, my initial short-list of possibilities included newspapers featuring coverage of the St. Valentine’s Day massacre in Chicago, the sinking of the Battleship Maine (which led to the Spanish-American War), the Death of Geronimo, the assassination of Malcolm X, and similar. As I pondered which to pick, it occurred to me all of my selections were focused on the reporting of “bad news”. Wishing to take a different approach, I searched again for reports of positive events and discovered coverage of the passage of the 15th Amendment, the founding of The Boy Scouts of America, Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, one with a mention of the opening of the first publicly funded school in the U.S., Abraham Lincoln’s famous “Cooper Union” speech, and more. Finally, after much consideration, I landed on the perfect choice – a newspaper announcing…
If you think this was a poor or inappropriate selection you probably haven’t seen the movie. While it may not be anywhere close to the most important, historic, or “collectible” newspaper published in the month of February, it nails the age-old proverb regarding a cure for much of what ails us: “A cheerful heart is good medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22).
So, as you take a gander at the list of newspapers published in the month of February, although a smidge belated, the Rare & Early Newspapers Family wishes you a cheerful and healthy New Year!
NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY
Announcing: Catalog #351 for February 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
January 31, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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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.]
This Month in History – January…
January 10, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When considering the month of January, what historical events come to mind? Perhaps Lincoln signing the final version of the Emancipation Proclamation, Fidel Castro seizing power in Cuba, the discovery of King Tut’s sarcophagus, Greenland becoming America’s 51st U.S. (joking, but Alaska did become the 49th state in the month of January), the first U.S. commercial bank’s opening in Philadelphia, the ratification of the 11th Amendment, and/or cigarettes finally declared to be hazardous to one’s health would be among your list. Whereas reading books about such events is common practice – and if well-written, informative, reading the actual newspaper accounts of these events within 24 hours of their occurrence within the context of other news of the day has the power to provide a breadth and depth of understanding which is hard to achieve through other primary sources.
The link below will take you to a chronological list (1600’s-20th century) of our currently available newspapers from the month of January. There’s no need to buy anything. Simply enjoy your trek through time via the eyes of those who were present.
NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN JANAURY
Announcing: Catalog #350 for January, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers for collectors…
January 3, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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January’s
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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.]
Who’s Who in Newspapers? Denmark Vesey edition…
December 16, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The 8th installment of Who’s Who in Newspapers
Denmark Vesey… Certainly not a household name, but how about Frederick Douglass, John Brown, and Nat Turner? These and more credit the Denmark Vesey incident (a planned slave revolt) as a key cog in their inspiration to risk their lives in order to help free the Southern slaves. The Niles’ Register dated July 13, 1822 contains the following is a brief article regarding the fate of those involved:
Douglass used Vesey, a free black man, as a rallying cry to recruit Black men to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War by declaring, “Remember Denmark Vesey of Charleston”. Vesey’s plot to arm enslaved people against their enslavers and temporarily liberate Charleston inspired abolitionists and fueled anti-slavery activity throughout the United States – many viewing him as a hero and martyr for freedom.
Note: In total, the courts convicted 67 men of conspiracy and hanged 35, including Vesey, in July 1822. Thirty-one men were deported, 27 were reviewed and acquitted, and 38 were questioned and released. You can read more about the incident itself at: The Denmark Vesey Incident.
Snapshot 19xx – The Youngest Olympic Gold Medalist EVER!
December 9, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Without searching the internet (or scrolling to see the images below), who do you think is the youngest Olympic athlete to ever win a gold medal in an individual event (i.e., not a team sport or relay)? If you are unsure, would you guess the youngest to be a male or female? How about their country… or the event (sport) tin which they competed?
I purposely left out the year in the heading – otherwise some might have guessed Nadia Comaneci (she is actually ranked as the 7th youngest) or Klaus Zerta (who comes in at #2 and remains the youngest male). We found a newspaper with a report in a New York Times dated August 13, 1936 telling of 13-year-old Marjorie Gestring (13 years, 267 days) who still holds the top spot.
Note: There is a younger female (also 13, but 180 days younger), but she (Kim Yun-Mi) won her gold medal as a member of a relay team.
Details: Marjorie was a springboard diver from the United States who earned her Olympic gold in the 3-meter woman’s event in Berlin – the infamous games in where Jesse Owens (along with others) put a crimp in Hitler’s efforts to demonstrate the superiority of German genetics. To add to the check-back, the games were the first to be televised.
The following is a photo of the coverage of Marjorie’s accomplishment:
“Guess & Click” – 1920’s Edition…
December 6, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
“Guess & Click” – a little game where I pose a question, you make a guess without using any on-line resources, and then you click on “View Answer” to find out if you were correct. Note: I intentionally left out the word “trivia” since some of the subject matter covered in this or future similar posts may not be trivial.
Ready to play?
In the early 1920’s, who was the richest per capita people group in the entire world?
Once you have your answer, click on the following link: “VIEW ANSWER”
Were you surprised? I know I was.