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“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.
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
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Dr. B Church Jr – American Traitor (Lead-up to a Nation – E22)
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Field Music Corps – The Drummer Boys of the Revolution (Lead-up to a Nation – E23)
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Battle of Quebec – “Unsuccessful but Brave Attempt” (Lead-up to a Nation – E24)
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Thomas Paine – Battle in the Tabloids (Lead-up to a Nation – E25)
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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).
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (December, 1775)…
January 9, 2026 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The Battle of Great Bridge – Decisive Patriot Victory (Lead-up to a Nation – E18)
The Capture of Montreal – High-water Mark (Lead-up to a Nation – E19)
Proclamation of Rebellion – Colonial Response (Lead-up to a Nation – E20)
Prohibiting Trade – Stopping trade between England and the Colonies (Lead-up to a Nation – E21)
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)
Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (November, 1775)…
December 5, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Continental Currency – No Power to Tax or Regulate (Lead-up to a Nation – E14)
League of Friendship-Articles of Confederation Underscored National Power (Lead-up to a Nation-E15)
James Rivington – From Impartial to Loyalist (Lead-up to a Nation – E16)
The Liberty Bell – Proclaim Liberty Through the Land (Lead-up to a Nation – E17)
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 #361 for December, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
December 1, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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From Passion to Legacy: 50 Years Strong… and Counting…
November 28, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · 10 Comments
The following, penned by the founder of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers, appeared on the front page of our most recent catalog (#361):
It was 50 years ago this month that the Rare & Early Newspapers business began.
Having been a collector of many things in my earliest of years, primarily coins, venturing into this fascinating world of old newspapers was a logical step. I never really saw a truly old newspaper until I stumbled across an 1826 Philadelphia newspaper at a local flea market, I was convinced I had discovered an unexploited hobby. So my new adventure began.
Although I started collecting somewhat earlier, I sold my first newspaper on December 1, 1975. I used a manual typewriter to list various newspapers on a legal-size sheet of paper, then making photocopies at a local college to print multiple sheets. When an issue or two sold, I typed up replacements and taped the listings over those that sold, then made more photocopies.
How to advertise in the pre-internet era? I would place small, classified ads in various history & collector-themed magazines. As for research, I kept a set of encyclopedias next to my desk.
Eventually, the single sheets of offerings turned into small catalogs. The first formal catalog was issued in the spring of 1978 and wasn’t even numbered, as I wasn’t sure there would be another.
This catalog you have in your hands is number 361. My ad mentioned “…send 25¢…” for the catalog, which more than covered the cost of postage. Imagine that!
It was always my goal to continue to offer more issues, earlier issues, and more historic offerings with each passing month. I’ve been pleased with our progress, and for those who have been with us for many years, hopefully you’ve noticed the dramatic growth in the range of our inventory. It was my hope that collectors would look forward to each catalog, anxious to discover new “goodies” we’ve not offered before.
I became semi-retired some 23 years ago with Guy Heilenman taking over, but I remain actively involved, primarily with buying inventory. My wife and I moved West to be close to family, but I get back to Williamsport for “hands-on” work about six weeks a year.
There will be no end to this business. We remain the only full-time dealers in early newspapers in the world. At some point another generation will take over, and our inventory and offerings will, hopefully, continue to expand. I hope to remain involved for as long as God allows.
Thank you all for 50 years of fun!
Tim Hughes