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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.]
“The Compromise of 1850” – Daniel Webster’s costly plea for unity…
May 19, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Whereas it is hard for those of us living today to imagine any “compromise” regarding slavery as a good thing (i.e., if it was wrong – and it was, how could anything less than abolishment be acceptable?), but the passionate antislavery politicians who lived through this era had to navigate the treacherous path between what they knew to right and the likely fracturing of what had increasingly become a fragile union. If they pushed too hard too fast, such a splintering would most assuredly result in an all-out Civil War with countless deaths, and if lost, the Southern institution of slavery would continue unabated by abolitionist sentiment. Even if it is agreed that an attempt at arriving at a compromise is in order, as with any deep-rooted, entrenched disagreement, any move to the middle requires someone to risk taking the first step.
It is with the above in mind history declares Daniel Webster’s “Seventh of March Speech” as being pivotal in bringing both sides to a compromise. Although it cost this anti-slavery Senator from Massachusetts his reputation and career, all are agreed his multi-hour oration was instrumental in holding succession/war at bey for over 10 years (although it may have ultimately deepened the divide). We are thankful to have found a lengthy report in a New York Tribune (March 8, 1850) which included excerpts, paraphrases, and commentary on the speech.
The following is the result of our research regarding its significance (Wiki, ChatGBT, Grok, etc.):
Summary of Daniel Webster’s “Seventh of March” Speech and Its Impact
Daniel Webster’s “Seventh of March” speech, delivered in 1850, was a heartfelt appeal for national unity and compromise amid escalating tensions over slavery that threatened to tear the United States apart. Webster declared, “I speak today for the preservation of the Union. ‘Hear me for my cause,’” emphasizing his alarm at the prospect of secession and civil war. He urged both the North and South to make concessions to safeguard the Union, a stance that significantly influenced the passage of the Compromise of 1850. However, this plea for moderation sparked widespread controversy and exacted a heavy toll on Webster’s career and reputation.
Key Points of the Speech
- Call for Unity: Webster positioned himself as an American, not merely a representative of Massachusetts or the North, advocating for the Constitution and the Union against the specter of disunion.
- Support for Compromise: He endorsed measures like the Fugitive Slave Law, hoping to bridge the divide between Northern and Southern interests and avert conflict.
Impact on Public Opinion
- In the North:
- Abolitionist Backlash: Northern abolitionists and anti-slavery Whigs felt betrayed by Webster’s support for the Fugitive Slave Law, which mandated their participation in returning escaped enslaved people—a stark departure from his earlier anti-slavery rhetoric.
- Regional Fallout: In Massachusetts, his home state, Webster’s reputation plummeted as he was branded a traitor to the anti-slavery cause, eroding his political base.
- In the South:
- Cautious Approval: Southern leaders appreciated Webster’s defense of the Fugitive Slave Law, seeing it as a gesture of respect for their rights under the Constitution.
- Lingering Distrust: Despite this, many Southerners remained wary of Webster due to his prior anti-slavery positions, viewing the Compromise of 1850 as a stopgap rather than a solution.
- Nationally:
- Passage of the Compromise: The speech rallied moderates across regions, providing Northern politicians with the justification to back the Compromise of 1850 without seeming disloyal to the Union.
- Deepened Divide: While it delayed immediate conflict, the speech underscored the irreconcilable differences over slavery, setting the stage for future strife.
Cost to Webster’s Career and Reputation
The “Seventh of March” speech marked a turning point that ultimately derailed Webster’s political career and tarnished his legacy:
- Northern Alienation: His endorsement of the Fugitive Slave Law alienated his Northern supporters, particularly in Massachusetts, where he lost the goodwill of abolitionists and anti-slavery advocates. This backlash effectively dashed his presidential ambitions.
- Incomplete Southern Acceptance: Although the South valued his compromise efforts, his earlier anti-slavery stance prevented him from fully gaining their trust, leaving him without a solid regional alliance.
- Political Isolation: Webster’s attempt to occupy a middle ground failed to heal the nation’s fractures. The Compromise of 1850, while a temporary success, only postponed the inevitable Civil War, and his role in it left him isolated as sectional tensions intensified.
Conclusion
Daniel Webster’s “Seventh of March” speech was a critical moment in American history, encapsulating both a desperate bid to preserve the Union and the profound challenges of compromise in a divided nation. While it facilitated the Compromise of 1850, it came at a steep personal cost, shattering Webster’s reputation in the North, limiting his influence in the South, and ending his political aspirations. The speech remains a poignant symbol of the era’s turmoil—a warning of division and a missed chance to confront slavery head-on.
They Put It In Print – but should they have? Lewis & Clark edition…
May 5, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Over the years we have amassed a series of posts under the heading, “They Put It In Print”. However, we recently came across a letter William Clark (of Lewis & Clark fame) wrote to his brother while on his famous expedition, which made us wonder if it was intended to end up printed in a handful of newspapers for others to read. While the line between private and public affairs is often blurred for those in the public eye, in this case a citizenry who was anxiously awaiting any news from the frontier probably never gave this tension a thought. Regardless of whether lines were crossed, over 200 years later we still benefit from the details provided regarding this historic trek through the wilderness.
The entire letter, warts and all, is shown below as printed in the Boston Gazette dated November 13, 1806. We hope you enjoy. We also have a note following the letter.
Whereas educators are welcome to use the photos above as a teaching resource for no cost (or credit given to us), in addition to the actual collectible issue which may still be available, we also have high-resolution digital photos of the above available through our Etsy Store: “THEY PUT IT IN PRINT – Historical news from the day it was first reported.”
Announcing: Catalog #354 for May, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
May 2, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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The May catalog (#354) 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.]
Hidden Gems – What’s that above the story by Charles Dickens?
April 11, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the pleasures of the hobby of collecting Rare & Early Newspapers is the “hidden gems” we find almost daily. Today I was photographing a story written by Charles Dickens within the Concord Daily Monitor (NH) dated December 21, 1865, and low and behold directly above the heading for the story was a poem titled, “Snow Flakes”, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Having contemporary selections from both literary giants within a few inches of each other was certainly something I did not expect. Yet, the discovery at this point was only partly realized. Thanks to the internet I took a few minutes to see what I could unearth about this particular poem, and with little effort I discovered it was a “Poem of the Week” selection in 2023 for The Guardian. Revealing my deficient 6th sense for poetry (or perhaps betraying my hidden affection for snow), at first blush I was a bit surprised that after so many years it had garnered such recognition – that is, until I learned Longfellow had written it in response to his grief over the death of his beloved wife. I love this collectible!