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A shocking cure for what ails you…
February 1, 2013 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Here’s an interesting medical devise which never seemed to catch on, as reported in the “Scientific American” issue of March 14, 1891. I wonder how many investors in this product were shocked when this one went belly-up?
The Traveler… The Emancipation… the last look… and today…
January 21, 2013 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
This week I traveled 150 years back in time and through the activities of the Civil War via the Harper’s Weekly dated January 24, 1863. This issue contains a double-page illustration by Thomas Nast entitled “The Emancipation of the Negroes, January, 1863 – The Past and The Future.” Mr. Nast shows their present life in the center circle, of a happy home including a picture of President Lincoln hanging on the wall. The illustrations to the left show obstacles they had to endure — being sold at auctions and separated from loved ones, beatings, and being chased (if running away). The illustrations to the right show what they are looking to in the future with the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation — owning a home, children going to public school, being treated fairly by the employer and being paid for working.
This illustration has an accompanying article that describes the illustration and also includes text from the Tribune of March 11, 1859, which dealt with the largest single sale of humans (slaves) in the United States. Mr. Pierce M. Butler of a city near Savannah, Georgia, sold 486 slaves — men, women and children — to pay his debts. This gives a prospective of what the slaves had to endure as they were being separated from each other as family members and long term friends.
As a contrast , this issue also presents a look into the past with an illustration and small article, “A Slave-Pen at New Orleans – Before the Auction. A Sketch of the Past.”
Today we also celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Let us all remember his famous words… “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty we are free at last.“
~The Traveler
Call it triple irony…
January 4, 2013 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The “Detroit Free Press” issue of December 12, 1939 report this interesting incident which affected–of all organizations–a fire company…
It looks like we might make it to 2013…
December 28, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · 2 Comments
While the jury is still out, it looks like we just might make it to 2013. The Mayans certainly gave us a few things to think about (or at least the head of the Mexican Bureau of Tourism – what a genius). Apocalyptic fears have generated quite a bit of stir over time and have motivated (inspired?) many to think through the eternal vs. the temporal. While this version of the “end of days” may have been misconceived, the process of giving our mortality serious consideration is certainly worth the exercise. In the meantime, please enjoy a newspaper-based look back at similar end of the word fears posted by the British Newspapers Archives:
It’s not the end of the world!
Historical Newspaper Stories About the End of the World
The Traveler… the monolopy is ended… hoping for better sailing ahead…
December 17, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to San Francisco, California, by way of The Call dated December 17, 1912. There I found that the Federal Supreme Court had ruled to destroy the monopoly that was created by six railroad owned coal companies in the Pennsylvania anthracite fields which had purchased the output for all time of “independent” mines. They were shown to be in “undisputed control”. This was the first time the Supreme Court successfully used the “Essential Facility Doctrine”, and resulted in significant restraint on monopolies.
The sports page had boxer Frank Moran preparing for upcoming matches, against Gunboat Smith, Luther McCarty and Al Palzer. Frank Moran retired ten years later after 66 bouts and then entered the career of acting in which he played many roles of gangsters, bartenders, guards, cops, bouncers, etc.. He retired from that in 1957 at the age of 70 and died ten years later from a heart attack.
Did you ever read a novel about all the mysterious and unusual murders on a ship at sea? This issue has a report of “Death Stalks On The Korea’s Trip” which would read right out of a novel. This would be one cruise that this traveler would not wish to participate in! Check it out!! (see report)
~The Traveler
The Traveler… a duel… a reminder…
December 3, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled back to England through The Post Boy dated December 4, 1712. There I found that the Duke of Hamilton, who was about to be Ambassador, had fought a duel with Lord Mohun, but “… was kill’d upon the Spot, as well as his Adversary…”.
Also within this issue are two different references to the “Pestilential Sickness” in which two women from Presbourg had recently died and there was great fear of it spreading. The other article spoke of “necessary Orders” begin given to prevent the spreading of the disease.
I realize that we are not dealing with pestilential issues, but just a reminder that if you have not yet received your flu shot, you still have time!
~The Traveler
The Traveler…Frigate President makes a capture… newspaper proposal…
November 19, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled through Boston, Massachusetts, by way of the Independent Chronicle dated November 19, 1812, where I found an Official report from John Rodgers. The U. S. Frigate President had captured the British Packet Swallow and the rank of the commander of the vessel being the master and commander in the navy. “… She had no cargo in, except eighty-one boxes of gold and silver, amounting to between one hundred and fifty and two hundred thousand dollars…”. I would say that was a pretty nice cargo!
Also within the issue was the proposal of a new newspaper, that being the Baltimore Patriot. In slightly less than two years, this publication would be the first newspaper to publish The Star-Spangled Banner on September 20, 1814 (Note: Just for an FYI, it appeared within a week in a Washington, DC paper as well).
~The Traveler
Communication… My how far we’ve come…
November 12, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When it comes to collecting historic newspapers related to progress in the area of communication, collectors (rightfully so) typically focus on the telegraph, Morse code, the Pony Express, the typewriter, and the telephone. However, we recently came across a newspaper from New York which may rival some of the most collectible issues in the area of communication development – the report of the first successful use of a cell phone. At the time this historic event was only deemed worthy of a page 57 report, and most newspapers never reported it. As a result, this may end up being one of the most difficult reports to find… and collect. Once again we are reminded of one of the greatest joys of the hobby – uncovering hidden gems… instantly transforming what was once an average newspaper into a noteworthy collectible. Please enjoy the report on our website at New York Times, April 4, 1973 or on eBay at Historic Cell Phone Call – Motorola DynaTAC:
Why I Still Read Newspapers… part 3 of 3… perhaps with more forthcoming???
November 9, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A staff member at Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers recently received a set of newspaper headlines which are worth pondering. We’ve decided to split them up over a few posts… this being the final of the initial set – with perhaps more to come??? If you know of others – appropriateness is a must 🙂 – please send them on (e-mail to guy@rarenewspapers.com) and we will consider adding them to a future post. If you would like to receive credit, please include your name. Please enjoy:
The Traveler… Presidential election day 1912… the first in New Mexico…
November 5, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
In today’s journey through the Albuquerque Morning Journal dated November 5, 1912, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, I found that it was the day of the Presidential elections with the three candidates, Democratic Woodrow Wilson, Republican William Taft and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, campaigning to the last minute. This issue contains different articles pertaining to the election.
Also within the issue is an article: “New Mexicans To Cast First Vote For President”… “With Closing of Polls Tonight Residents of State Will Have participate In All Duties of Citizenship”. This election would be the very first presidential election for the residents of New Mexico to participate in as they had entered as the forty-seventh state on January 6, 1912. Great to have this report within a newspaper from New Mexico.
Just a reminder that as a free nation, our presidential election is Tuesday, November 6th. Please exercise your valuable gift of freedom and cast your vote… 🙂
~The Traveler