Search
The Rare & Early Newspapers Hobby
Receive the Newsletter
Buy Historic Newspapers
“Printing In The Americas” – A reference book for your shelves…
March 2, 2026 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
There are very few reference books which are exclusive to newspapers, so some of the better ones are about printing in general, peppered with historical accounts of newspaper publishing as well.
One of my favorites is such a book, titled “Printing In The Americas” by John Clyde Oswald. Done by the Gregg Publishing Company in 1937 it unfortunately is out of print, however copies can be found on book dealer shelves across the country. With the broad scope of internet sites abebooks.com and alibris.com I suspect it would not be difficult to find a copy.
There are 91 chapters totaling over 560 pages but it can essentially be considered to have three parts. first: a general history of printing in colonial America which includes much on early newspapers; second: a state by state review of the their first printing efforts, most of which were newspapers rather than books or pamphlets; and third: printing history in other countries of the Western hemisphere including Canada, Central America, South America and the West Indies, typically not dealt with in most printing history efforts.
I find the Midwest and Western states to have the most intriguing histories, filled with stories of tragedy & hardship in trying to operate a printing establishment in the wilds of America. There were far more failures than successes. Early printers must certainly have come from hearty and optimistic stock.
While we do not have one to offer, this is a title I would suggest you pursue. Given its format it doesn’t have to be read cover to cover, but rather chapters of interest stand alone as little histories in just a few pages.
Announcing: Catalog 364 – Released for March, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
February 27, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Catalog 364 (for March): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: an issue re: the Olive Branch Petition, Hawaii’s first English language newspaper, “The Crisis” essay #9 by Thomas Paine, a first report of Lincoln’s assassination, a Civil War prison camp newspaper, an early newsbook from 1643, the historic “Funding Act”, and more.
The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:
Abridged Catalog (EXCLUDES wholesale lots & titles sold only by year (not by a specific date)
A PDF Version of the Catalog (printable)
Entire Catalog grouped by Era:
1500-1799 (full view OR quick-scan/compact view)
1800-1899 (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)
1900-Present (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)
The following links focus on both this month’s and last months catalogs:
- Combined Catalogs (entirety of both)
Become a Premium Member to receive hard copy versions of our catalogs (U.S. residents only).
Displaying newspapers – Frame to see all four pages…
February 23, 2026 by TimHughes · 4 Comments
Many newspapers lend themselves nicely to framing and display, certainly those with either graphic appeal or a very historic report on the front page. Even better if an issue has both. But display can be problematic when the significant report is on the inside or back page.
The photos show one inventive display option for four page newspapers, which includes almost all from before the 1830’s. This “Pennsylvania Gazette” printed by Ben Franklin has his imprint at the bottom of page 4, and by opening the newspaper and matting both sides, all 4 pages are visible. The matted portion of the display is in the frame trim and hinged to the portion of which hangs on the wall, so by opening the frame all four pages are visible. A magnetic clasp keeps the frame closed while on the wall.
Give this a try for that special issue in your collection which otherwise would be difficult to display.
February Newsletter (2026) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
February 13, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
The reason I collected it: Atlanta Journal 2nd Extra, 1963…
February 9, 2026 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
In the rush to get an ‘extra” edition to the press and on the streets, mistakes can often be made. Such is the case with the “Second Extra” of the JFK assassination issue of The Atlanta Journal. This edition has a curious–if not macabre–combination of headline and photo.
As would be expected of an “Extra” of November 22, 1963, the large & bold headline proclaims: “KENNEDY KILLED”. So far so good. But immediately beneath it is a photo of a street sweeper pushing his trash cart containing a pair of trousers & boots protruding from the top, with the caption: “Sweeper Means What He Says” as if related to the assassination report.
One might excuse the editor, for I’m sure that in rushing this edition to the streets as quickly as possible the planned headline was removed and the Kennedy death report quickly inserted with little thought as to what else was scheduled above the fold that day. Indeed, the “Third Extra” has the same headline but a photo of the Kennedy motorcade immediately after the shooting.
This issue remains one of the more unique & interesting newspapers of the 20th century, earning its right into the private collection. It is also a great example to editors everywhere to be aware of headlines & photos which appear in close proximity.
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (January, 1776)…
February 6, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
-
Dr. B Church Jr – American Traitor (Lead-up to a Nation – E22)
-
Field Music Corps – The Drummer Boys of the Revolution (Lead-up to a Nation – E23)
-
Battle of Quebec – “Unsuccessful but Brave Attempt” (Lead-up to a Nation – E24)
-
Thomas Paine – Battle in the Tabloids (Lead-up to a Nation – E25)
-
The Burning of Norfolk – Nearly Annihilated (Lead-up to a Nation – E26)
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)
Announcing: Catalog 363 – Released for February, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
January 30, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Catalog 363 (for February): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: a Massachusetts Spy with the desired “Join or Die” snake engraving, a Pennsylvania Ledger with the Olive Branch Petition, one of the rarest of early American magazines, The Jew Bill: striving for equal rights for Jews, a handsome colonial New York newspaper from 1745, a fine report on the death of George Washington, and more.
The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:
- Abridged Catalog (EXCLUDES wholesale lots & titles sold only by year (not by a specific date)
- A PDF Version of the Catalog (printable)
- Entire Catalog grouped by Era:
1500-1799 (full view OR quick-scan/compact view)
1800-1899 (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)
1900-Present (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)
The following links focus on both this month’s and last months catalogs:
- Combined Catalogs (entirety of both)
Become a Premium Member to receive hard copy versions of our catalogs (U.S. residents only).
Two Discoveries, One Powerful Reminder – It Started with the Pony Express…
January 26, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
From the very beginning, a recurring theme on the History’s Newsstand blog has been the joy of finding hidden gems—those golden nuggets tucked within historic newspapers. Collectors of rare and early papers know this thrill well: you acquire an issue for one reason, only to uncover something unexpected that proves equally—if not more—captivating.
That’s exactly what happened to me recently while examining the April 16, 1860 issue of The Evening Post (New York). My original goal was to locate coverage of the completion of the first run of the Pony Express, and to my delight, I found not one but two front-page reports. Front-page coverage of such events is rare enough—but two related pieces? A true collector’s treat.
As I continued browsing for additional Pony Express material within the issue, I stumbled upon one of those unforgettable “hidden gems”: a printed exchange between a runaway slave and his former master. While not an account of a major historical event, few subjects evoke as much emotion as slavery, and reading such raw, personal correspondence in a period newspaper was deeply moving.
While the issue’s collectible value is likely anchored by its Pony Express reports, it’s this second discovery that continues to resonate with me. It serves as a poignant reminder—to me, my family, and my friends—of the immeasurable worth of every human being. Each of us, created in God’s image, carries equal and sacred value. Red and yellow, black and white—we are all precious in His sight.
All right, I’ll step down from my soapbox now. The photos below provide context for the discoveries mentioned above. Thanks for reading—and for sharing in the joy of finding history’s hidden treasures.
One of the Two Reports regarding the Pony Express
Correspondence Between the Runaway Slave and his former “Master”
The reason I collected it: an accordion fold newspaper…
January 23, 2026 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
I’m sure I’ve commented before on the occasional need for “necessity” paper, meaning when supplies were restricted, printing conditions were stressed, or “siege” conditions prevented access to typical newsprint, publishers would be as resourceful as possible in finding something upon which to print.
Not only was this issue (Columbia Phoenix, April 8, 1865) printed during the closing days of the Civil War, but due to the shortage of newsprint this publisher utilized short and uncommonly wide paper measuring just 8 3/4 inches high but over 24 inches long. As such it has an accordion fold which is unlike any other newspaper we have encountered.
During the Civil War, particularly in the South, securing newsprint was a common problem. During the closing days of the war, Columbia, South Carolina underwent siege conditions before it surrendered to Yankee forces on February 18, 1865. Although Columbia was occupied by Union forces on February 18 and largely destroyed by fire, this newspaper literally rose from the ashes [hence the phoenix title] and became the Confederate voice for the residents. So despite the city being in Union control, this newspaper kept its pro-Confederate leanings.
Information on the Library of Congress website provides further detail on this fascinating title and its Confederate publisher:
“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).”
The content in this issue is great as well, being a few days after the fall of Richmond and just one day before Lee would surrender to Grant at Appomattox.
The front page has part 2 of: “Our Refugeeism” and some ads. Pages 2 and 3 are taking up with details of the: “Capture, Sack and Destruction of the City of Columbia” being chapters 30 thru 35. Half of another page is taken up with: “Evacuation of Richmond”. There is also an upbeat and obviously pro-Confederate report noting in part: “President Davis takes a right view of the results of the evacuation of Richmond. We have said elsewhere, that, in our opinion, it should have been evacuated long ago & that we should not have waited till this became a military necessity. The cheerful tones of President Davis is highly becoming…so long as the armies of Lee, Johnston and others are intact, they will speak and we trust to the purpose. God still rules in heaven.”
This issue is a fine example of the determination & resourcefulness of many early publishers.
January Newsletter (2026) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
January 19, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
| Welcome to the first newsletter of 2026. The past few weeks have been pregnant with in-house discoveries – several which are included within new listings or through the highlights shown below. For those who love to collect, appreciate history, and desire to be life-long learners, this hobby brings all of these together with the added bonus of “context” – the capacity to at least partially grasp how those who actually experienced key events perceived what we now call history. I love this collectible! No, my enthusiasm was not AI enhanced/generated. 🙂
Let’s jump right in with a few important links (don’t miss the “discoveries”):
Dr. B Church Jr – American Traitor (E22) Field Music Corps – The Drummer Boys of the Revolution (E23) Battle of Quebec – “Unsuccessful but Brave Attempt” (E24)
The Weekly Chronotype (turns out it’s a notable abolitionist newspaper) The Nippu Jiji… (turns out it’s not a Nippon Fiji)
The Spirit of the West Returns… America Returns to Her Roots… 1776-2026: The Dream Still Shines at Dawn’s Early Light! Popcorn, Principle, & the Presidency: JFK’s Quiet Stand for Artistic Courage… A Colonial “2nd forgery” with intriguing backstory… Cape Fear (pt. II)…
From Dreams to Reality… Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Paves the Way… |
|