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Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… Cocoanut Grove fire…
July 23, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, November 30, 1942: “FIRE KILLS 431 IN NIGHT CLUB“…
They put it in print… Zenger’s newspaper ordered to be burned…
July 20, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · 2 Comments
A sure-fire way to get yourself in trouble–at least in early 18th century America–would be to criticize the governor. John Peter Zenger, publisher of “The New York Weekly Journal“, had a problem with a decision made by of the colonial governor, William Cosby, and expressed his frustration in his newspaper. On November 17, 1734, On Cosby’s orders, the sheriff arrested Zenger. After a grand jury refused to indict him, the attorney general Richard Bradley charged him with libel in August of 1735. Thus began his imprisonment and a trial that would lead to Zenger’s acquittal and would more importantly create the foundation for the freedom of the press we enjoy today.
The “Encyclopedia of Censorship” reports that: “…In October 1734 a committee was appointed to investigate Zenger’s newspaper and to look into the charges of seditious libel that had been alleged against it. The committee found numbers 7, 47, 48, and 49, which contained a reprinted article on the liberty of the press, to be libelous as charged and ordered them to be burned. Zenger was arrested and jailed.”
See the link below which shows the entirely of issue number 47, dated Sept. 23, 1734. You can read the continued article which got Zenger thrown into jail, but ultimately won not only his own freedom but a significant freedom for newspaper publishers everywhere:
The New-York Weekly Journal, September 23, 1734
Nellie Bly… an interview with Susan B. Anthony…
July 15, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman), the American Journalist who became famous through her writing for Pulitzer’s New York World, is best remembered for her exposé regarding the horrific conditions within mental institutions obtained by faking her own insanity – taking investigative journalism to a whole new level, and her documentation of her record-breaking 72-day trip around the world as she emulated Jules Verne’s fictional character Phileas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days. However, few are aware of her intimate and informative interview with Susan B. Anthony, perhaps the only woman to rival her pioneering spirit, which was printed in the New York World, February 2, 1896. The article in its entirety may be viewed at:
Nellie Bly – Interview with Susan B. Anthony
The Traveler… Edison on board…
July 13, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to New York City by the way of The New York Times of July 13, 1915. There I found that “(Thomas) Edison Will Head Navy Test Board”. “…’The United States is far behind in these matters,’ said Mr. Edison. ‘I believe it is highly important for a board of civilians, made up of engineers from leading industries, to be formed for the purpose of looking into the feasibility of ideas developed by young men…'”
~The Traveler
The aftermath of the Civil War… July, 1865
July 9, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
What news was reported in July, 1865 – 150 years ago? The horrors of the Civil War were now in the past, but the emotions and sorrow of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln were still fresh. Where would the nation go from here? How would we move forward? Was unity possible?July, 1865
The Traveler… laying the cornerstone… a time to remember…
July 6, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
This week I traveled back to July 5, 1865 by the way of The New York Times. There I found the reporting of “The Celebration Yesterday on the Great Battlefield” at Gettysburg. There they had “The Ceremonies of the Laying the Corner Stone of the Gettysburg Monument.” Many generals were on hand for this occasion with General Howard being the orator of the day. Within his speech, he included Abraham Lincoln’s infamous “Gettysburg’s Address”, which is included in the text of the article.
Also in the issue is the coverage of the Fourth of July celebration in New York City, including the “Ovation to the Returned Veterans” and “The Wounded Veterans.”
~The Traveler
Golden Nuggets… the “hits” just keep on coming…
June 29, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
At Rare & Early Newspapers we always enjoy hearing about the various “finds” that permeate the collectible. While most significant content is know before one purchases an issue to add to their collection, due to the nature of the hobby, golden nuggets cannot help but be buried, yet 
undiscovered, deep within the pages of a newspaper. In some instances, the discoveries are quite significant – that is, significant to all having a general knowledge of history. In other cases, the find might be a little more subtle – yet still worthy of bringing to light.
The following account was sent to us not too long ago. Feel free to send along your own stories as well (send to guy@rarenewspapers.com).
Hi, I just wanted to let you know the papers arrived in great shape as usual but what was really great was once I went through them were the other stories I found.
In the May 8, 1930 New York Times on page 11 there was a story about how a newspaper in Havana, Cuba was fearing Al Capone was about to move there they feared he would turn it into “a second Chicago.”
In the inner pages of the Dec. 27, 1941 L.A. Times there was a story about five Iowa brothers joining the Navy and will serve together. This is an article about the Sullivan brothers who were later killed inaction in the Pacific and the Hollywood movie The Fighting Sullivans was made about them.
This is why I love collecting newspapers it’s not only about the main story you might have kept the paper for but the inner page stories you might have not paid attention to at first.
Thanks C.H. for sharing your story with the Rare & Early Newspapers’ Family.
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… death of Groucho Marx…
June 26, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Aug. 20, 1977: “GROUCHO MARX DIES“…
The Traveler… A commuted sentence… the angry mob and more…
June 22, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to New York City by the way of The New York Times of June 22, 1915. There I found the headlines announcing Governor Slaton of Georgia had commuted the sentence of 
convicted killer Leo Frank to life in prison. “The death sentence imposed on Leo M. Frank for the murder of Mary Phagan has been commuted to one of life imprisonment by Governor John M. Slaton, and Frank is now in the State Prison at Milledgeville…” This news was not received well by the community and soon a crowd of up to 10,000 marches were upon the governor’s home. An effigy of the governor was burned. In the meantime, Leo Frank was secretly moved from the Atlanta prison to one in Milledgeville. This issue carries extensive coverage on this matter.
~The Traveler
You decide… Which is really the best? Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr…
June 19, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When it comes to placing a value on collectible newspapers, past prices realized can be invaluable. However, in most instances, due to the vast number of variables which exist even within a common event (city of publication, condition, dramatic appeal, etc.), finding comparables can be difficult.
We recently came across two issues which illustrate this point – both containing front-page 1st reports of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – one being the newspaper from where he was born and raised containing perhaps a little more detailed reporting (The Atlanta Constitution, Georgia), with the other being a nice issue from where the assassination took place (The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN). Which is the more collectible newspaper? The answer may not be as easy as one might think. Years of experience have shown the Dallas Morning News‘ reporting of the JFK assassination to be hands-down the most desired issue – that is, the issue from where he was killed. In contrast, collectors find the Wapakoneta Daily News (Neil Armstrong’s hometown paper) with coverage of Man’s 1st Moon Walk to be the best.
What about Dr. King’s assassination? It is rare we can view each side-by-side (see below). We have our thoughts, but feel free to weigh in with thoughts of your own.
