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The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 22, 1862…
February 22, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
On February 22, 1862, news was spreading that Jefferson Davis was soon to be elected President of the Confederacy. If so, what would this mean? Would the war soon be over? Would this entrench the opposing sides making an early end nearly impossible? Additional news was spreading that Fort Donelson either was, or was soon to be, under fire. It seemed as if every day brought discouraging news to the North, and quite the opposite to the South. Please enjoy the following original newspapers printed for the day, and see life unfold through the eyes of those present during this flash-point period in American history:
Original Newspapers Read On February 22, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 15, 1862…
February 15, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
Today we take a look back at a sampling of the original newspapers printed for February 8, 1862. It is hard to imagine what it was like to rely almost entirely upon newspapers for news concerning loved ones, battle reports, military movements, political decisions, etc. – all of which were rapidly changing the landscape of American experiment in self government. Please enjoy:
Original Newspapers Read On February 15, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
First newspapers in South Dakota…
February 13, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The very first printing of any kind to be done in present-day South Dakota wasn’t until Sept. 20, 1858, relatively late for that section of the country. It was an election notice, and less than a year later the first newspaper appeared on July 2, 1859 titled the “Democrat“, printed in Sioux Falls. It published on an irregular schedule for less than a year when it was discontinued for lack of support. Reports are that the newspaper was revived as the “Northwestern Democrat“, however no copies under that name have survived. The press was destroyed by a band of hostile Sioux Indians in 1862.
The second newspaper in South Dakota was the “Weekly Dakotian” begun in Yankton on June 6, 1861, by Frank Ziebach. A year later it was absorbed by its rival, the “Press“, becoming the “Press and Dakotan“, and a bit later the “Dakota Union“.
Note: Images are not currently available for any of the above… but will be added if/when they are available.
Perhaps the most famous 19th century title is “The Black Hills Pioneer” which was printed in Deadwood City beginning in 1876. It would be an issue in early August of that year that would report the death of Wild Bill Hickok while playing cards that would be one of the most sought after newspapers for any collection.
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 8, 1862…
February 8, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
150 years ago today, citizens, from both the north and the south, sat down over a cup of coffee (if they were lucky) to read newspapers telling of the capture of Fort Henry, the Battle of Mill Spring, the available (advertisement) speech by Frederick Douglass, and more, while perhaps looking over large detailed maps of related regions. The daily newspaper was their connection to the events touching nearly every household in America. Enjoy a glimpse of the issues printed for the day:
Original Newspapers Read On February 8, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 1, 1862…
February 1, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
On February 1, 1862, the following issues were all held… and read… by those living during the American Civil War. Feelings of fear, sorrow, and uncertainty were prevalent as readers searched for news which would provide a glimmer of hope that loved ones would be safe, the greater good would prevail, and soon all would be well. Experience a glimpse of their world as you browse through the following:
Original Newspapers Read On February 1, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… January 25, 1862…
January 25, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Today we continue our look back on the Civil War as reported within the newspapers held by those living during the Civil War… 150 years ago to-date (of this post). While many of the issues shown below are no longer available for sale, reading a snap-shot of what was printed for the given day will hopefully provide a glimpse of life during the critical period in American history. Each link shown will take you to the full description w/ images of authentic issues which were held by those living during the Civil War. Today’s selections are:
HARPER’S WEEKLY, NY, January 25, 1862 This issue features a nice full frontpage illustration entitled ‘Little Mac Out Again’ which shows McClellan on horseback. A fullpage features two halfpage illustrations ‘Fort Holt, Kentucky, Opposite Cairo’ and ‘Commodore Foote’s Gun-Boate Flotilla on the Mississippi’. A fullpage “Bird’s-eye View of the Vessels Composing the Burnside Expedition at Fortress Monroe, and Showing Norfolk and Its Approaches”. A halfpage “Map Showing Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, and the Approaches to Norfolk From the South”. A very nice double page centerfold ‘Grand Reception at the White House, January, 1862’ shows Lincoln & many from the military. A half page “Embarkation of Part of General Burnside’s Expedition at Annapolix, on Board the ‘Hussar'” and a nearly half page “Execution of private Lanahan, of the Regular Army, for Murder, at Washington”. A full page “Birds-Eye View of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Its Approaches”. A 1/3 page “War Map, Showing the Theatre of Operations of the Mississippi Expedition and General Buell’s Army. The back page features two political cartoons.
One collector’s passion…
January 16, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Old newspapers are not only great “stand alone” collectibles, but many collect them to be used as companion pieces to a separate primary interest. A fellow collector recently obtained what would normally have been considered a rather nondescript issue of Harper’s Weekly. However, after reading his note, I was reminded of the breadth of our favorite pass-time… rare & early newspapers. Please enjoy his story:
Hello, Guy…
I received the above order this past Saturday [a Harper’s Weekly, November 12, 1904, from New York, with “A Bird’s-Eye View of New York’s Rapid Transit Plans for the Future” by H. M. Pettit]. Ordinarily, I would not go to this length to confirm receipt of your fine products, but this is about a unique affair…something very different for me, and one – quite honestly – I never imagined would “come true”.
As you know, I’ve been studying the history of New York’s original Pennsylvania Station for many years now, and these studies have taken me on some incredible “journeys” through the land of (original) archival documents that have, some how, survived the “test of time”. I purchased one of your portfolios because what I recently acquired is so exceptional, it deserves a special place to reside in my archive.
Earlier this month, I inadvertently came upon an issued/cancelled stock certificate that is directly related to the construction of Pennsylvania Station…undeniably the most distinctive “find” I’ve made since I first pursued this subject years ago. What I actually found was a PDF link to the pages of a Spink Smythe auction catalog (pictured below, as Lot #516), the event having taken place in February 2010…Spink, with offices worldwide, specializes in rare stocks, bonds, and paper currency.
The significance of this document is that the Pennsylvania, New York & Long Island Rail Road was one of two “pioneering” ventures (the other being the Pennsylvania, New Jersey & New York Railroad) created in 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to basically enact the provisions of its franchise agreement with the City of New York to build Penn Station and its sub-river tunnels, uniting Manhattan (by rail) with mainland America. These two small railroads – with a combined length of less than 20 miles – were consolidated in 1907 to form one operating authority, the Pennsylvania Tunnel & Terminal Railroad. Given the short “lifespan” and relatively low profile of these two railroads during the years of Penn Station’s construction, any documents pertaining to their existence (that have survived to this day) are very scarce.
I’ve had previous – though limited – experience with the Spink auction house, so I immediately “launched” an investigation into this document, and learned it did not sell at this February 2010 auction! Within a week or so, I made contact with a Spink official (in London, their corporate location) who not only confirmed the status of this item at that auction, but referred me to its consignee, to whom Spink returned the unsold certificate.
Not knowing what I was “in for” from this point onward, I telephoned the consignee, only to discover he is a reputable vendor of stock certificates and bank notes in New Hampshire…extremely knowledgeable, and an absolute pleasure to do business with. I’m sure – privately – he couldn’t believe somebody was calling him (from California, no less!) about a certificate that didn’t sell at auction so long ago, but we, nonetheless, had a wonderful conversation. Lo and behold, after briefly searching his inventory (of Spink returns), he called me back to say he found the certificate I was interested in. He offered it to me at a good price, and I now have this most incredible document (previously, a “distant”, digitized image from a nearly two-year-old catalog) in my possession.
While the “railroad-related” signatures and seals on the certificate are “chock-full” of history (and worth everything to me), an unexpected “bonus” surfaced when the vendor made note of the individual to whom this stock was issued…Clement A. Griscom. He suggested this person might be worth researching, so – while I awaited the certificate’s arrival – I did just that! Born 1841 in Philadelphia (died in 1912), Clement Griscom – pictured in his
1899 portrait above – was not your “everyday” stockholder, but, rather, a prominent shipping magnate…President of the International Navigation (steamship) Company. In 1902, he engaged Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan to finance the merger of International Navigation with five additional steamship lines, including a portion of Holland America, and the White Star Line (of Titanic fame). The Pennsylvania Railroad also retained Mr. Griscom as a director in their Northeast region for many years.
To set this monumental document before you is nothing short of dazzling…printed on watermarked (almost parchment-like) paper, the graphics are precise and impeccably executed. Handwritten inscriptions, such as Clement Griscom’s name and a date (July 1, 1902) – presumably entered by a secretary – and two signatures along the bottom, are all in black (fountain pen) ink, and very legible. The legendary Vice President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Samuel Rea, signed the certificate to the right, and a very curious Treasurer’s signature – that of eminent 50-year PRR veteran “T {Taber} Ashton – pictured below, graces the left hand corner.
Adjacent to Mr. Ashton’s signature is the “wonder of it all”…a perfectly-embossed seal of the Pennsylvania, New York & Long Island Rail Road, whose name encircles the words, “New York 1902”. On the reverse side of this certificate [IMG 0095] is another set (“trio”) of beautiful graphics that were intended to be “showcased” when the document was folded in “thirds”. Fortunately, it was never folded, which certainly enhances its value and charm. The certificate looks wonderful in the portfolio…a perfect place to keep it for future reference, and to ensure its posterity.
As always…many thanks…
Ed
A gem in the American Antiquarian Society… The Michigan Essay…
January 14, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
In celebration of its 20oth anniversary the American Antiquarian Society published a beautiful exhibition catalog titled “In Pursuit Of A Vision – Two Centuries of Collecting at the American Antiquarian Society”. Featured are a fascinating array of books, documents, maps & other paper ephemera, as well as several very rare & unusual newspapers we felt worthy of sharing with our Rare & Early Newspapers’ collectors (with permission from the A.A.S.).
“Michigan Essay; or, The Impartial Observer“, Detroit Michigan, August 31, 1809
Isaiah Thomas devoted substantial space in The History of Printing in America (Cat.9) to a history of American serial publications, closing with an eight-page census of newspapers “Published in the United States in the beginning of the year 1810.” Thomas sought help in its compilation in March 1810 by placing a widely reprinted notice in The Massachusetts Spy, requesting publishers “to forward one or two of their papers … that the right titles of their several Newspapers, may be correctly inserted.” Many responded, and the newspaper issues sent to Thomas were later donated to AAS.
This example — the first and only extant issue of the first Michigan newspaper — arrived too late for inclusion in Thomas’s checklist. The manuscript notation on the side reads, “Utica, (N.Y.) Aug. 3d 1810. Mr. Thomas, Sir I send you this paper printed by a friend of mine to insert in your ‘History of Printing.’ If he sees your advertisement, he will send more, perhaps of a later date. Your obt. Servt. C.S. McConnell.” The Michigan Essay was printed by James M. Miller on Michigan’s first press, brought to Detroit from Baltimore in 1809 by Father Gabriel Richard. Most of the text is in English, but a few articles and advertisements are in French.
A suggestion by young men…
January 14, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The following items from the March 21, 1874 issue of “Harper’s Weekly” is self-explanatory:
The Civil War… 150 years ago… January 11, 1862…
January 11, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Today we look back on the Civil War as reported within the newspapers held by those living during the Civil War… 150 years ago to-date (of this post). While many of the issues shown below are no longer available for sale, reading a snap-shot of what was printed for the given day will hopefully provide a glimpse of life during the critical period in American history. Each link shown will take you to the full description w/ images of authentic issues which were held by those living during the Civil War. Today’s selections are:
Very large Civil War map show the Beaufort vicinity…
THE NEW YORK HERALD, Jan. 11, 1862 Most of the front page is taken up with a huge Civil War map headed: “The Scene Of Operations at Port Royal Ferry…” with a subhead. The map shows much detail of the Beaufort vicinity. There are also first column heads: “Additional Details of the Affair at Port Royal Ferry” and “Our Map of the Scene of General Stevens’ Operations” & others (see images).
Lincoln compares unfavorably to King George III…
DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Virginia, January 11, 1862 Page two includes the always interesting editorial which focuses in part on a comparison of King George III of England and Abraham Lincoln, one part noting: “George III is dead and gone. He was probably a bad man, as he certainly was a mistaken one; but it is a gross insult to his memory to compare such a person as Lincoln to him. He was a gentleman and a king; Lincoln is an upstart, buffoon and boor. To say that Lincoln is a second edition of George III is to dignify him unworthily, and to slander the dead…” with more. Also on page 2 is: “The Latest Northern News–Movements and Spirit of the War” “The Northern Congress–Discussion Of The War” “The Case of Mr. Hinrich” “The City Fortifications Again” “Legislature of Virginia” ‘The Mississippi Sound–Biloxi” “Surveillance Over the Newspapers”.
1862 Port Royal, South Carolina…
THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 11, 1862 This 8 page newspaper is in nice condition due to the use of cotton and rag paper during this very historic time in U.S. history. This issue is loaded with advertisements and Civil War reports throughout from the day it was first reported which includes the following headlines: “IMPORTANT FROM PORT ROYAL”, “Full Details of the Late Battle at the Ferry”, “Valuable Information Obtained from the Negroes”, “Three Thousand Additional Troops Sent to Tybee Island”, “The Mississippi Expedition Moving”, “Important From Missouri”, and more.
Union Officers Hanged 1862 Civil War…
BOSTON SUNDAY HERALD, MA, January 11, 1862 This 4 page issue is in somewhat damaged condition with irregular spine with some text loss and some margin tears. This issue is loaded with advertisements and Civil War reports throughout from the day it was first reported which includes reports: “THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS OF WAR” “20,000 Of Our Paroled Prisoners Restored to Active Service” “Ten Union Officers Hung In Arkansas” “Latest From Burnside’s Army” “LATEST FROM VICKSBURG” “GEN. SHERMAN SUPERSEDED IN COMMAND !” & much more.
Charleston Harbor… The Battle at Green River, Kentucky…
HARPER’S WEEKLY, New York, January 11, 1862 The ftpg has print: “Sinking the Stone Fleet in Charleston Harbor”. Fullpg prints include: “The Battle of Dranesville”, “In and About Port Royal, South Carolina”, “The Defences of Washington–Fort Lyon and Fort Ellsworth” and “The Battle at Green River, Kentucky”. Doublepg centerfold is of “Fairy Tales Told By The Little Folks”. 1/3 pg: ” The Landing of Ohio Troops at Louisville, Kentucky”. 1/2 pg: “Gen. Bruell’s Body Guard”.