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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on April, 1776)…
May 8, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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The King’s own Regulars & Their Triumph over the Irregulars – Propaganda (E35)
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Voices of a Young Nation – Reports: Grim and Grateful (E36)
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Stirring Reports – Elected Delegates & New Postal System (E37)
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Independence was Destiny – The Case for Independence (E38)
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)
This famous Confederate issue, with a contemporary explanation…
May 4, 2026 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Over the last 50 years we have sold many genuine issues of the famous “Vicksburg Daily Citizen” issue of July 2 (4), 1863. Its desirability is in the curious background of its creation. If you have received our catalogs through the years, you have likely read of at least one of our offerings, with the details as to how the July 2 issue was left on the press when the Confederates left town when the Yankee forces moved in. As the story goes, Yankee printers found the July 2 issue still on the press, changed the last paragraph to reflect the historic changes that had happened over the previous two days, and printed the paper.
We were not aware until recently that a contemporary issue of the “New York Times” told the story quite well. Page 2 of the August 5, 1863 issue has over a column headed: “The Fall of Vicksburgh” “Last Words of the Vicksburgh Citizen” “A Curious Relic of the Siege”.
The report begins: “When Grant took possession of Vicksburgh, a detachment of the Fifteenth Illinois cavalry visited the office of the ‘Daily Citizen”. They found the number intended for July 2 in type, and the paper all ready for printing, but circumstances had prevented its issue…the paper was very poor wall-paper. The matter was wholly editorial, with the exception of a column and a half of: “Yankee News from all Points” copied from the Memphis Bulletin, a paper which the Citizen says is ‘edited by a pink-nosed, slab-sided, toad-eating Yankee, who is a lineal descendant of Judas Iscariot…” with much more.
Further on, it explains how the last paragraph of the Vicksburg issue came to be: “The Illinois men who visited the office of the ‘Citizen’ thought that this admirable number ought not to be withheld from the subscribers. They set to work at once to print it off, but as it was now the Fourth of July and some changes had taken place since the original editor made up his sheets for the 2d, they brought up the news to date in the following postscript…” , which is the famous paragraph at the bottom of the page that begins: “Two days bring about great changes…”.
The Times article notes in conclusion: “…The copy from which we print the foregoing extracts was furnished to us by Col. Jas. Grant Wilson, of the Fifteenth Illinois cavalry, according to whose request, we have presented to the New York Historical Society.”
Although there are many issues in the realm of rare newspapers that are curious, unusual, or perhaps exceedingly historic in a very unusual way, rarely are collectors treated to a contemporary account of how they came to be. This is one.
Announcing: Catalog 366 – Released (early) for May, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
May 1, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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April Newsletter (2026) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
April 17, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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What’s in a Masthead – An 1800s Boston Investigator…
April 10, 2026 by Phineas Q. Wryte · 1 Comment
At first glance, the bold Gothic lettering of The Boston Investigator seems simply to announce a title—but linger a moment, and it reveals a creed. Founded in 1831, the paper became one of America’s longest-running freethought journals, devoted to skepticism, reform, and intellectual independence. By the 1880s, its identity was not merely stated but artistically embedded. The masthead itself functioned as a declaration of purpose, inviting readers into a publication that questioned orthodoxy and encouraged inquiry.
The imagery is deliberate and richly layered. Laurel and oak branches evoke endurance and strength, while flowing banners proclaim ideals such as “Truth,” “Perseverance,” and “Justice.” A cluster of books—bearing names like Paine, Voltaire, and Jefferson—anchors the paper firmly in Enlightenment tradition. And perhaps most striking is the phrase arcing confidently across the design: “Hear All Sides — Then Decide.” In an era often caricatured as rigid or dogmatic, here is a publication quite literally engraving open-minded debate into its identity. The Investigator was not merely tolerating dissent—it was institutionalizing it.
That makes the masthead feel remarkably modern—and, in some ways, quietly defiant even now. Its rebellious spirit from the 19th century champions a principle that can feel increasingly fragile today: the willingness to entertain opposing views before forming conclusions. Where much of the present climate tends to narrow discourse and reward certainty over curiosity, this 19th-century newspaper boldly carved intellectual openness into its very banner. So, what’s in a masthead? In this case, everything: a philosophy of inquiry, a commitment to dialogue, and a timeless challenge to think freely.
PS The Boston Investigator is considered to be the first American newspaper dedicated to the cause of freethought.
If you own an authentic newspaper with a “special” masthead and you would like to share it with the collectible community, please send a clear photo of the masthead and the description you would like included to me at pqwryte@rarenewspapers.com.
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on March, 1776)…
April 3, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Colonies in Flux – The Influence of Common Sense (Lead-up to a Nation – E31)
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General William Howe – The Pennsylvania Ledger (Lead-up to a Nation – E32)
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The Siege of Boston – Debate at the House of Commons (Lead-up to a Nation – E33)
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Diverse Voices – Divisions of the Era (Lead-up to a Nation – E34)
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)
Who’s Who in Newspapers? Jack Johnson edition (1910)…
March 30, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The 12th installment of: Who’s Who in Newspapers
If you’re a boxing enthusiast, you may know the turn-of-the-century “Galveston Giant,” John (Jack) Johnson. Yet far fewer people know the depth of his struggle against bigotry, open hatred, and injustice.
Born in Galveston, Texas in 1878 to formerly enslaved parents, Johnson rose from the rough world of late-19th-century prizefighting to become the first Black heavyweight champion of the world in 1908. In the ring he was brilliant—defensively skilled, confident, and often playful as he dismantled opponents. Outside it, he lived defiantly in an era that demanded Black men show deference. His wealth, fame, and refusal to conform—especially his relationships with white women—made him a lightning rod for racial hostility across America. Authorities eventually targeted him using the Mann Act, widely viewed by historians as a politically motivated prosecution.
His story came back to my attention recently when a collecting friend asked if we had a Los Angeles Times dated July 8, 1990. To be honest, while he often seeks newspapers with Black-American content, I would never have guessed Jack Johnson was at the heart of his quest.
If you are concerned about racism—and are not afraid to confront the warts of the past—spending a little time researching Johnson’s life can be sobering. At the same time, it can also serve as a reminder of how far our society has progressed in confronting bigotry.
Below is a photo of the introduction to the article our friend was seeking. While the lengthy piece may still be available in its original context through the link above, at least for now the Los Angeles Times provides open access to the article’s text at: “80 Years Ago, the Truth Hurt.”
Announcing: Catalog 365 – Released (early) for April, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
March 27, 2026 by Phineas Q. Wryte · Leave a Comment
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March Newsletter (2026) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
March 16, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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Significant Discovery: Horace Greeley’s “views” of Freedmen (1865)…
March 9, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
After being heavily engrossed in the rare & early newspapers collectible for over 50 years, encountering “new” discoveries within our own archives has not abated. Case in point: We recently identified a significant letter in the August 26, 1865, issue of the New York Daily Tribune that had previously gone unnoticed. Located on page 4 and signed simply “H. G.” (Horace Greeley), this letter addressed to the Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson offers a profound look into the intellectual climate of the immediate post-Civil War era. Perhaps it was the inconspicuous single column heading, “A Letter”, which was complicit in our oversight. Such “discoveries” are one of the reasons why we love this hobby.
As far as the letter itself is concerned… The exchange occurred during a pivotal window of Reconstruction. With the war concluded and the Thirteenth Amendment in the process of ratification, the nation was gripped by a debate over the “physical, intellectual, and emotional condition” of newly emancipated African Americans. While many, including Nicholson, sought to categorize or question the capabilities of the formerly enslaved through a lens of racial “fitness,” Greeley used his editorial platform to push back against these prejudices.
In this letter, Greeley argues that any perceived deficiencies in the Black population were not inherent traits, but the direct result of the “degradations” of the institution of slavery. By advocating for education and the rights of “Free Labor,” Greeley was effectively laying the groundwork for the so-called “Radical Republican” agenda that would eventually lead to the 14th and 15th Amendments.
For collectors of Civil War, Reconstruction-era, and Black-Americana ephemera, this issue serves as a primary source document and captures the exact moment the country transitioned from a military conflict to a philosophical battle over the true meaning of citizenship – a powerful step towards realizing the founding charge that all (people) are created equal.