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The many views of Niagara Falls – inspirating wood-cut illustration…
September 26, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Decades ago, when my husband and I called Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, our home, we were immersed in a world where the Amish community was a constant presence – their simple way of life woven into the fabric of our daily existence. For fourteen years, we lived among the rolling farmlands, the clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies, and the quiet resilience of a people who shunned modern conveniences. Yet, despite this proximity, we rarely partook in the activities that drew countless visitors to Lancaster County’s doorstep. We never sat at an Amish family’s kitchen table, savoring a meal steeped in tradition. We never climbed aboard a buggy for a leisurely ride through the countryside, nor did we ever step foot in Dutch Wonderland – that colorful amusement park that beckons tourists with its promise of family-friendly thrills.
If we could train ourselves to view our surroundings through multiple sets of eyes—through the curious gaze of a child, the weathered perspective of an elder, or the fresh wonder of a newcomer—what richness we might uncover. Imagine the billions of impressions we could gather, each one a thread in the tapestry of our experience, pulling us toward the next moment with a heightened sense of anticipation and urgency. To live this way, with eyes wide open to the infinite possibilities around us, would be to embrace a life brimming with discovery, where every step forward is an invitation to marvel at the world anew.
Deal of a Lifetime… Doubling America with the Louisiana Purchase…
September 22, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Everyone loves feeling as if they stuck a great deal! Coming off of Amazon Prime Days, many Americans are probably pretty pleased with their purchases; however, none of our delight can compare with what former Special Envoy James Monroe must have felt as he finalized the deal for the Louisiana Purchase… 3 cents/acre… 828,000 square miles… expanding the breadth of his country … setting the stage to establish a “hands-off” foreign policy doctrine as president 20 years later. Men like Monroe, who influenced our country’s founding by sculpting our future in a series of steps, helped define who America would be some 250 years later. On November 2, 1803, the COLUMBIAN CENTINEL covered the purchase of the Louisiana Territory and the NILES’ WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Dec. 6, 1823 later covered Monroe’s Annual Message to Congress as President in which he detailed his now famous Monroe Doctrine. I love seeing steps in the sand leading from our county’s founding to our 250th birthday, detailed in newspapers of the day. Well done President Monroe! You found us a GREAT deal!
Inspiration Surrounds Us… Illustrated Prints for Framing…
July 28, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Without a doubt, you would want a love of history to enjoy working here at RareNewspapers. If history enthralls you, being surrounded by first account history is beyond delightful. While not everyone is able to join us on a daily basis, here in the archives, we all have the ability to surround ourselves with images from the past that inspire & encourage as well as teach & caution. With this in mind, I wanted to share some new 1900’s LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED & SATURDAY EVENING POST magazines with you as they are replete with captivating images… both stark and winsome. I have attached a few of the most recent listings below for your enjoyment. As you can see from the frame hanging next to my desk, even those tattered and torn images can find new life with a little TLC.
LESLIE’S WEEKLY, New York, January 11, 1919.
LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED, New York, February 7, 1920.
LESLIE’S ILLUSTRATED, New York, March 23, 1918.
Losses of the Past… Sherman’s March to the Sea…
July 11, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
If you have never found your way to the cities of Charleston and Savannah, may I ardently encourage you to make time for a leisurely visit. The beauty and grace of these 2 southern gems inspires and rejuvenates the soul while stirring the mind with lessons learned from a bygone era. Today, as I was familiarizing myself with our upcoming catalog, I came upon the COLUMBIA PHOENIX from April 8, 1865 . I had always been aware of Savannah’s fortunate escape from Sherman’s destructive march and so it was fascinating to ready of a phoenix story… a newspaper rising from the ashes. How appropriate a name given its quick assent after Sherman’s flames. Below is an interesting summary highlighting this printed treasure.
“The Columbia Phoenix arose out of the charred remains of Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina, in the aftermath of the Civil War to record its losses and bear witness to its gradual recovery. A triweekly newspaper, the Phoenix first appeared on Tuesday, March 21, 1865, mere weeks after fires had razed a third of the city. It struck a defiant tone, declaring, “Our city shall spring, from her ashes, and our Phoenix, we hope and trust, shall announce the glorious rising! God save the state!”
Proprietor Julian A. Selby boasted considerable experience in the newspaper business, having formerly owned the Tri-Weekly South Carolinian. In establishing the Columbia Phoenix, however, he literally started from scratch. In the weeks immediately following the city’s destruction, Selby scoured the state for paper, a press, and printing supplies. He and his assistants fashioned for themselves the things they could not find. He also secured the services of renowned Southern literary critic, novelist, and poet William Gilmore Simms as editor. Living conditions in the capital city were so desperate that, early on, the staff offered to accept food staples such as bacon, eggs, rice, and potatoes as payment in lieu of cash subscriptions. The first ten issues contained a detailed history of the burning of Columbia, which was separately published as Sack and Destruction of the City of Columbia, S.C., in October 1865 (itself edited and republished as A City Laid Waste in 2005).”
I love how a paper from over 150 years ago can inspire a desire in me to stand with as much bravery and as much determination as Julian A. Selby did just weeks after his world burned to the ground. How fortunate to be daily surrounded with these heartening heroes and stories of old.
Hearts & Minds… The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms…
July 4, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the 1st lessons I learned as a teacher later served me well as a parent… the most important thing you need to accomplish when trying to unify any group to accomplish any task is to create “by in” and the only way to create lasting “by in” is to “win hearts and minds”. With our children, Guy & I meticulously laid out a family ethos and then instructed, molded & cajoled till we finally had the “by in” we needed for a healthy functioning family. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we were sending the little birds into the wide world to intentionally build their own nests. Apparently, Thomas Jefferson had learned the same lessons before he composed The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. The monumental, world changing struggle to come would need people who were true believers and who could articulate the American struggle as a defense of natural rights and liberties, not outright rebellion. THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE & COUNTRY JOURNAL on July 29, 1775 includes an entire front page of this imperative precursor to the Declaration of Independence, demonstrating “winning hearts and minds” in its most eloquent and effective form. What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by focusing on the document which planted those very 1st seeds. Below is a link to the entire writing for you to enjoy. Happy Independence Day to all!!! & GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
The Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms
Claiming the Land… America Presses Westward…
June 30, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
There are few events which capture the enormity and drama of America and her people more than the Westward Expansion. Vast lands to be settled and courageous people have produced tales and legends which continue to inspire generations to dream big and bravely press into the great unknown.
As our founder Tim Hughes states in his discription… “Considered to be one of the most significant achievements of the Congress of the Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 put the world on notice not only that the land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi would be settled but that it would eventually become part of the United States. Until then this area had been temporarily forbidden to development.
Increasing numbers of settlers and land speculators were attracted to what are now the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. This pressure together with the demand from the Ohio Land Company, soon to obtain vast holdings in the Northwest, prompted Congress to pass this Ordinance.”
THE NEW HAVEN GAETTE & THE CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE on August 2, 1787 captures this monumental event at the moment of its birth. Feel free to browse this rare issue and let your dreams run wild.
Our History Unites Us – Celebrating Paul Revere with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow…
May 26, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
I must admit, a buzz is in the air as we approach America’s 250th anniversary (dare I say … Semiquincentennial). Our family is already starting to make plans on how we will celebrate this tremendous mile mark for our country, and we are relishing the thought of sharing our enthusiasm with others who are equally stirred. So, you can understand my excitement today when I was looking through this month’s catalog and noticed THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, Feb. 9, 1776 with a Paul Revere Masthead. Almost instantly, the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem popped into my head…
“LISTEN, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,”
A moment later, after a quick online search, I identified the 1st printing of Longfellow’s poem contained within THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY , Jan. 1, 1861. Heading into the Archives, I was hoping to find a copy and soon returned to my desk with this new treasure in hand. Below, you will find listed interesting insights from an article by… Historic Boston Incorporated:
“What is perhaps more interesting, is that Longfellow’s poem and its story are actually rooted in the bubbling national unrest unfolding in April 1860, when Longfellow began writing it and more than 85 years after Revere’s now famous ride. By the time Longfellow’s most well-known poem was published in The Atlantic Monthly out of the Old Corner Bookstore in January 1861, numerous states had seceded from the Union and by April the nation was at war.
With war on the horizon, Longfellow reflected on the nation’s past as much as its future. A staunch abolitionist, Longfellow wrote “Paul Revere’s Ride” to unify a nation at odds, to remind America of its sacred oath to uphold liberty as the Civil War beckoned. The final stanza has largely been interpreted as a call to action for his fellow Americans to wake up “in the hour of darkness and peril and need” and recall those sacred ideals the United States was founded upon”
So many memorable events to commemorate this next year… so many happenings to celebrate. Here is hoping (and praying) that by focusing on our history we may unify our nation as Longfellow hoped his poem would over 160 years ago.
Yesterday & Today… Memorial Day & Tariffs…
May 23, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Without a doubt, when Memorial Day arrives, the feel of summer settles in and Patriotism seems to fill the air as the Red, White & Blue flaps gracefully on the warm breezes. Life seems to take a few steps back intime as we gather with family and friends over plates full of deviled eggs and Grandma’s potato salad. On May 29, 1913, Life Magazine featured a beautiful print by Norman Price showing the passing of our heritage of Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) from one generation to the next. In an odd turn of congruency, this issue also has a political cartoon which could not be more in line with today’s headlines on Tariffs and the possible pluses and minuses they may bring to our country. How fitting for both of images to be contained in one publication as America is so much defined by push and pull, delight and difficulty, light and dark. May your Memorial Day Weekend be both lighthearted in celebration and heavy in remembrance of those who gave so much for our Freedom… and may we figure out an answer to that political cartoon.
The Continuation of a Genre… The American West Still Keeps Giving…
April 28, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Yesterday, I heard a podcast discussing the growth-arc a genre typically takes over the course of time. In this podcaster’s opinion, when a movie/TV genre begins to produce shows which are a parody of their kind, the sunset for this genre has arrived. As an example, the speaker discussed superhero movies, and although some might argue with their analysis, there seems to be a decline in quality and enthusiasm for these sorts of movies. Later in the day, as I was looking through our archives, my attention was caught by an issue of THE TOMBSTONE EPITAPH from Arizona, October 31, 1880, and my mind quickly went to thoughts of the many great Westerns I’ve viewed over the decades including the 1993 blockbuster: TOMBSTONE, which told of the well-storied shoot-out at the OK Corral. In fact, from John Wayne in True Grit… Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday… to today’s hit show Yellowstone and its endless spinoff’s, unlike superhero movies, the western is still alive and well and nowhere near its final curtain-call no matter how many cowboys and their trusty steads slowly ride into the sunset.
Prior to the November 22,1963 assassination of JFK… History does repeat itself!
April 25, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
I would imagine every American is familiar with the assassination of JFK – perhaps even more so since his nephew has joined our most recent presidential survivor of a similar attempt. Additionally, the JFK Papers everyone has spent decades clamoring for may soon be released for public perusal. In light of all the newly ignited interest, the August 29, 1961, NEW YORK TIMES had an interesting article describing an earlier assassination attempt on JFK where the killer was stopped by the fact that Jackie and the kids were with Kennedy at the time. Below is a description of the event written by Smithsonian Magazine.
“On December 11, 1960, JFK was the president-elect and Richard Paul Pavlick was a 73-year-old retired postal worker. Both were in Palm Beach, Florida. JFK was there on a vacation of sorts, taking a trip to warmer climates as he prepared to assume the office of the President. Pavlick had followed Kennedy down there with the intention of blowing himself up and taking JFK with him. His plan was simple. He lined his car with dynamite — “enough to blow up a small mountain” per CNN – and outfitted it with a detonation switch. Then, he parked outside the Kennedy’s Palm Beach compound and waited for Kennedy to leave his house to go to Sunday Mass. Pavlick’s aim was to ram his car into JFK’s limo as the President-to-be left his home, killing them both.
But JFK did not leave his house alone that morning. He made his way to his limousine with his wife, Jacqueline, and children, Caroline and John, Jr. who was less than a month old. While Pavlick was willing to kill John F. Kennedy, he did not want to kill Kennedy’s family, so he resigned himself to trying again another day. He would not get a second chance at murderous infamy. On December 15, he was arrested by a Palm Beach police officer working off a tip from the Secret Service.”
For JFK collectors, this is a nice addition to the most famous issues covering Oswald’s successful attempt just 2.5 years later.