She prepared for the end…

February 21, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

Some news reports we discover in our newspapers are so beautifully written that they beg to be share with more than just the collector who buys the issue. This is one. Not only is the report of Martha Washington’s death eloquently presented, it is interesting how she knew her time was coming to an end and was prepared for it.

This report appeared in the “Farmer’s Museum or Literary Gazette” from Walpole, New Hampshire, June 8, 1802:

Entry point to the Rare Newspapers Collectible… 16th & 17th Centuries…

February 17, 2011 by · 2 Comments 

Our peek at the lower-end entry points into the hobby of collecting rare and early newspapers draws to a conclusion today with a gander at inexpensive newspapers published prior to 1700. A list of titles priced at under $50 includes:  The London Gazette, The Athenian Mercury, Votes of the House of Commons, The Observator, and The Weekly Pacquet of Advice From Rome, all of which are British publications.

The following link will take you to these potential pre-1700 entry-point issues: Pre-1700 Inexpensive Issues

Enjoy!

Note:  View the following to explore the History’s Newsstand Blog’s featured posts on the upper end of the collectible: “Prices Realized” and “Most Collectible Issues“.

The Traveler… traveling to Rio de Janeiro… part of the “health test”??

February 10, 2011 by · 1 Comment 

I decided to take my travels a like further back in time  and to a place that always intrigued me.  Through letters from Boston and Philadelphia, The London Gazette dated February 12, 1711 reported on a vessel that had been shattered from Rio de Janeiro. The French had landed and were being beaten off with the reinforcement of eight thousand men from the mines… the French retreated.

In my readings, I see numerous  “An Act..” within newspapers, but found this one quite unusual. “An Act to enable John Lord Gower, Baron of Stitnham, an Infant, to make a Settlement upon his Marriage.” I wonder what the terms of the settlement were??

Last, the back page had an announcement about “The Corporation of the Amicable Society for the Perpetual Assurance-Office” for the Affidavit of the Health. The way the announcement read, this may have been part of the qualification testing… if you understood it all, then you were in good (mental) health.

~The Traveler

First newspapers in New Jersey…

January 31, 2011 by · 2 Comments 

Given that New Jersey is geographically wedged between the the large colonial cities of New York and Philadelphia, there seemed to be little interest in creating a New Jersey newspaper until relatively late in the 18th century. Although New York & Pennsylvania had newspapers in the 1720’s, New Jersey’s first title, “The New Jersey Gazette“, did not appear until 1777.

But printing was being done in the colony as early as 1723, and it even had its first magazine, “The New American Magazine“, done by James Parker at Woodbridge in 1758. But it was Isaac Collins who on Dec. 5, 1777 started in Burlington the province’s first newspaper, “The New Jersey Gazette”, which would be removed to Trenton just three months later where it continued until 1786.

Technically there is another contender for the the title of New Jersey’s first newspaper, as Hugh Gaine removed his  “New York Gazette & Weekly Mercury” to Newark, New Jersey, just prior to the British occupation of that city. His first Newark edition was on Sept. 21, 1776 and he only printed seven issues through Nov. 2, 1776 before returning to New York a few days later.

The Traveler… first land, now from the sea… just skating by…

January 27, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

Today I decided to travel to the 20th century and found The Atlanta Constitution dated January 27, 1911. In this issue was coverage of the first American seaplane. This marvelous feat took place in San Diego and was flown by Glenn Curtiss, landing it lightly on the water in front of the hanger-on shore.

Another article of “transportation” that made big front page news was “Skaters, Beware! How About Autos?” which featured a large cartoon illustration. It seems that side-walk skating by the children in Atlanta was against the law and the police had been threatening to arrest them. The children took matters into their hands, writing to the Mayor expressing their concerns on the terrible auto driving that was occurring but nothing being done about it.  The Mayor was introducing a revision to the ordinance so that the children could skate again. Look what happens when youth put their minds to it!

~The Traveler

First newspapers in New Hampshire…

January 24, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

Although New Hampshire was settled as early as 1623 no printing was done in the colony until 1756 as Boston got all the printing work. Daniel Fowles arrived in New Hampshire in 1756 to become the first printer in the colony,  and on October 7, 1756, in Portsmouth, he issued the first number of the “New Hampshire Gazette“, the first newspaper in the colony. The only other printed item he did before this newspaper was an almanac for the year 1757.

The second newspaper in the colony was the “Mercury & Weekly Advertiser“, also done in Portsmouth by an employee of Fowle who was urged to created a competing newspaper by those who thought Fowle “…too timid in the cause of liberty, or their press too much under the influence of the officers of the crown…”. Fowle’s political leanings against independence would cause troubles for himself and his printing business in the years to come.

Entry point to the Rare Newspapers Collectible… 19th Century…

January 20, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

In the past the History’s Newsstand Blog has featured posts on the upper end of the collectible: “Prices Realized” and “Most Collectible Issues“.  We are now taking a look at the other end of the spectrum – (low cost) entry points into the hobby.  A few weeks ago we explored low cost issues from the 20th century.  This post moves back in time to the 19th century.

The following selection provides a glimpse of the wide variety of 19th century issues available valued at $15* and under.  Areas of interest include the War of 1812, religious-themed, youth-themed, snap-shots of 19th century city life, and more.  Many more exist on the Rare Newspapers’ website, but others can be found throughout the collectible community as well.  The item numbers for each are linked to corresponding images.

Introductory Issue from the 1800’s…

209016 An original issue from the 1800’s  to help jump start your collection.  This issue is guaranteed to be original, complete, and to be dated in the 1800’s.   We do not offer reproductions of any kind!  There is a limit of 10 issues per customer at this price.  See the images for examples of the condition and look of the issue you will receive.  The image shows several issues to give you a sense of the various titles/conditions you may receive, but please know this listing is for a single issue – at a great price. $3.00*

The War of 1812…

207496 COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, dated during the War of 1812.   The issue you will receive is similar to the issues shown in the image – slight wear, minor staining and foxing, etc..  The issue will be dated from during the War of 1812, and will have war related news and news of the day.  A great issue to own at an incredible price.  $7.00*

From France…

153338 GALIGNANI’S MESSENGER, Paris, 1837. An interesting newspaper from France but printed in English, and featuring a black-inked tax stamp on an inside page. Various news of advertisements. Four pages, nice condition. Note:  The policy/purpose of this title was to promote good feeling between England and France, and was highly regarded. $13.00*

19th century publication for youth…

152963 THE YOUTH’S LEDGER, New York, NY, 1887. “An interesting monthly for the Young” as is printed in the masthead. See the photo for an example of the “look” of this title from our archives. This is a nice issue to have from this location and period in history. Six pages approximately 16″x11″. $11.00*

Pittsburgh, PA… just before steel production…

153013 THE PITTSBURGH LEADER, Pittsburgh, PA, 1873. State, local and national news from this era.  Interesting to have news of the day from just before steel production hit in full force. See the photo for an example of this title from our archives. Note that the photo is “generic” and the issue you get will not have these specific photos or be of this specific date but will have the format as shown. 21″x17″. Four pages and in nice condition. $15.00*

Exploring the influence of war on domestic Life…

153036 ADVOCATE OF PEACE, (Hartford, Connecticut), 1834. An interesting magazine which has war as its theme, and the value of peace as opposed to war. Note that the photo is “generic” and the issue you get will not have this specific date but will have the format as shown. Forty-six pages, measuring 9″x6″, disbound without outer wrappers. $11.00*

Additional issues priced at $15* and under may be viewed at:  Entry Level Newspapers

* All prices shown were valid as of the release date of this post.

First newspaper in Nevada…

January 18, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

“Nevada” received its name from a Spanish word meaning “snow clad”.  Outside of the Native Americans one of the earliest settlements was by the Mormons at Genoa, in 1849, then part of California. It later would be attached to the Utah Territory, then became the Nevada Territory before being admitted as a state in 1864.

It was at the town of Genoa that the first newspaper in the state began in 1858, the “Territorial Enterprise“. Just a year later it moved to Carson City, and yet another year later to Virginia City where it continued until 1916. One of its claims to fame is having Samuel Clemens as a reporter and editor in the early 1860’s. Although issues from the 1870’s and 1880’s have been in our inventory for some years, issues from the 1860’s–particularly from the territorial period before statehood–are very difficult to find. (credit: “Printing In The Americas” by J. Oswald)

The Traveler… the wanderer…

January 13, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

Today’s journey has landed me in the Connecticut Mirror, dated January 14, 1811, with discussion on West-Florida and a bill before Congress pertaining to the welfare of seamen. The front page of the issue carries important documents between the United States and France, with a message to the House of Representatives signed in type: JAMES MADISON.

There is also an intriguing advertisement, “A Female Wanderer” (see below), which is of a young lady who came into a village about three months prior and was “of mental derangement”. She since has recalled her name (Mary Stevens) and those of her family and past information… but could not recall how she arrived at the village. This ad was being published in hopes “that her friends will lose no time in relieving those individuals, who are protecting and supporting her.”

~ The Traveler

Entry point into the Rare Newspapers Collectible… 20th Century…

January 6, 2011 by · 2 Comments 

In the past the History’s Newsstand Blog has featured posts on the upper end of the collectible: “Prices Realized” and “Most Collectible Issues“.  To kick off the new year we thought it might be nice to look at the other end of the spectrum:  “Entry Points to the Rare Newspapers Collectible”.  Throughout this month we will target examples of the least expensive collectible newspapers available for each century.

Our journey begins with the 20th century…

The following selection provides a glimpse of the wide variety of issues available valued at $15* and under.  Areas of interest include shipping, finance, theater, historic events, and more.  Many more exist on the Rare Newspapers website, but others can be found throughout the collectible community as well.  The item numbers for each are linked to corresponding images.

A World War II newspaper from the Navy Yard…
575571 BEACON, Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1944  A military paper produced at the Navy Yard with a great wealth of war-related content and a war-related masthead as well.
Eight pages, 10 1/2 by 16 pages, printed on high quality paper, nice condition. $9.00*

From the Panama Canal Zone…
579280 THE PANAMA CANAL RECORD, Balboa Heights, Canal Zone, 1928. A little magazine subtitled: “Official Publication of the Panama Canal” with a wealth of data concerning the canal and its use. Approximately twenty-six pages measuring 9″x6″. $12.00*

World War 1…
161488 OFFICIAL BULLETIN, Washington, DC, 1918. An unusual newspaper published daily by the “Committee on Public Information”, meant to keep the public informed of both political & military matters, particularly during the WWI period. Note that the photo is “generic” and the issue you get will be of a slightly different date but will have the format as shown. Sixteen pages measuring 12″x9″. Lightly browned with some minor edge tears. $10.00*

For the little child in all of us…
161498 THE YOUTH’S COMPANION, Boston, Massachusetts, 1900. A charming newspaper with several short stories for children, featuring several wonderful illustrations, an ornate masthead, and plenty of advertisements. $10.00*

In-house real estate periodical…
161495 STROUT’S BUGGY-SEAT CONFIDENCES, Boston, Massachusetts, 1911. A curious little publication by and for those working for the Strout real estate company, the “World’s Largest Farm Agency”. Printed on coated stock.  $10.00*

Movie News! Burt Lancaster & Ava Gardner…
564394 MOTION PICTURE DAILY, from New York, dated September 28, 1956. Interesting little publication for and about the movie industry, giving the latest information on the various background events of the motion picture world. Television news as well. Too much to mention. 6 pages measuring 12″x9″, printed on coated stock paper. Nice shape. $10.00*

Additional issues priced at $15* and under may be viewed at:  Entry Level Newspapers

* All prices shown were valid as of the release date of this post.

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