The Civil War… 150 years ago… January 18, 1862…

January 18, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

Today we continue our look back on the Civil War as reported within the newspapers held by those living during the Civil War… 150 years ago to-date (of this post). While many of the issues shown below are no longer available for sale, reading a snap-shot of what was printed for the given day will hopefully provide a glimpse of life during the critical period in American history. Each link shown will take you to the full description w/ images of authentic issues which were held by those living during the Civil War. Today’s selections are:

Rare Confederate title…
DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER, Richmond, Virginia, January 18, 1862 Not only is this a nice newspaper from the Confederacy, but it is from the Confederate capital. The Front page has: “The War In South Carolina” and: “Notes Of The War–The North Growing Sick of the War–The New York Tribune Thinks it Time the War Were Brought to a Close” with other subheads including: “Great Battles” “The Northern War Patriots…” “The War in Kentucky–Plans of the enemy…” “The War In Missouri–The Situation”. War-related coverage continues to page 2 with : “The Latest Northern News–Movements & Spirit of the War” “The Northern Congress–Discussion on the Negro Question–Lovejoy’s Declaration of War Against Great Britain” “Revocation of Commissions in the Army” “Appointment of Brigadier-Generals” and other items. Page 3 has reports from the Virginia Legislature and “The Cores”, “City Intelligence”, a few small war-related items, and some ads. Page 2 also features some nice editorial content, always interesting reading in this newspaper as the editor was rabidly anti-North. He begins with: “The resignation & honorable exile of Cameron, that synonym of corruption, is a significant event. It is the signal of the open disruption of the united North into two factions…” with more…
From Confederate New Orleans…
THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Louisiana, January 18, 1862 * Rare confederate title from the deep South Truly Confederate newspapers from New Orleans are very difficult to find, as Admiral Farragut entered the mouth of the Mississippi in mid-April, 1862 and finally took New Orleans on April 28. Shortly thereafter Benjamin Butler moved in and took control of the city which surrendered without a fight. So “Confederate” issues from New Orleans are limited to those published between Louisiana’s secession from the Union on January 26, 1861 and the end of April, 1862, just a brief 15 month period. Front page war-related item include: “What the Morning Journals Say” which begins: “The Crescent speaks of the many theories put forth by the Lincolnites to account for their defeats in the present war–every one as far from the truth as the North will ever be from conquering the South if the war should last a century…”. Also: “Letters From Baton Rouge” which takes over a full column. And: “From The Seat of War In Virginia”. There are additional war-related items on pages 2 & 3 also with most of the bkpg. taken up with ads. Among the ftpg. ads is an illustrated one for; “Negroes For Sale”…
A rare Confederate title…
WESTERN SENTINEL, Winston, North Carolina, January 18, 1862 This is a very rare title from the Confederacy. According to Brigham only four institutions in the United States have any holdings of this title from the Civil War, most just a few scattered issues. The American Antiquarian Society has no issues recorded from this era. Nice content in this issue, as the ftpg. has: “Letter from G. W. Brownlow–His Treatment” while in prison (see photos). Also: “The Missouri Swamp Fox which is on General M. Jeff. Thompson; plus: “Bishop Hughes in Favor of the Confederate States”. Pg. 2 has more Civil War news with: “The Election: “Departure of Troops” “The News” which has many war reports; also: “Northern News” “Then and Now” “Re-Enlistment” and “Drafting Soldiers”. The war reporting continues on pg. 3 with: “Latest News–Suspension of Yankee Banks” “French Man of War Fired Into” “From the West” “The Financial Bull Run” “A Consoling Belief” “Prosperity of the South” “A Yankee Sermon” and more. The war coverage continues on the bkpg. as well with: “Why the Federals do not Advance in South Carolina” among other items. Ads on the bkpg. as well. Complete in 4 pages, scattered foxing throughout, a minor pg. 2 archival mend near the bottom, generally quite nice. Measures about 11 1/2 by 17 1/2 inches. An opportunity for not only a very rare Confederate title, but one with extensive war content.
1862 New York City Newspaper… General Burnside… General Doubleday…
THE EVENING POST, New York, January 18, 1862 * Major Abner Doubleday made General – General Burnside and much more * Original Civil War era complete issue on cotton & rag paper * The War Against Slavery, Abraham Lincoln’s War, the 2nd War For Independence This 4 page newspaper is in nice condition (except for little margin wear & tear) due to the use of cotton and rag paper during this very historic time in U.S. history. This issue is very large in size (unusual). It measures 30 x 26 inches and loaded with advertisements and Civil War reports throughout from the day it was first reported.
Winslow Homer…  Burnside’s Expedition…
Harper’s WEEKLY, Jan. 18, 1862 Ftpg. shows; ‘Fort Royal Ferry, Scene of the Battle of First Jan.’ & ‘Scene in the Parlor of Mr. Barnwell’s House at Beaufort, S.C.’ shows a Black family lounging & playing the piano. Fullpg: ‘The Vessels of Gen. Burnside’s Expedition at Annapolis’ halfpg: ‘The War In Va.–A Reconnaissance in a Laurel Brake’ ‘ & ‘Bringing In Rebel Prisoners’ & ‘The Union Prisoners at Richmond, Va.’dblpgctrfld: ‘The City of Richmond, Va.’ fullpg. by Winslow Homer: ‘The Skating Season’

Filed under: Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Confederate, Harper's Weekly, Illustrated Newspapers, The Hobby, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre, Yankee
Tagged: , , ,

A suggestion by young men…

January 14, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

The following items from the March 21, 1874 issue of “Harper’s Weekly” is self-explanatory:

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Harper's Weekly, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Post Civil War, The Hobby, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , , ,

The Traveler… seeking Governor Wilson… the cats meow…

January 9, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

Today I traveled to January 9, 1912.  While reading The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Massachusetts I discovered that not unlike many in 2012,  scores of citizens were also looking for the right man to run in opposition of the President in the upcoming presidential election. The headline read “Democrats Turn To Gov. Wilson As Man to Defeat Mr. Taft”, with the subheads, “Decide They Must Nominate Radical to Oppose president, as Conservative, and Thus Avert a Third Party”, “Find Him Popular” and “National Committeemen Surprised to Discover Sentiment Among Rank and File for New Jersey Candidate”.  It is interesting to see history playing out many of the same themes over time.

I realize that Christmas has passed, but a small article on “Presents Given To Cats and Dogs” caught my eye. I know that pampering of four-legged friends is very trendy now, but I did not know that it was “cats meow” then as well!

~The Traveler

Filed under: The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Hobby, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , , ,

Be careful what you print…

January 7, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

“The Norwich Gazette” newspaper from England, May 24, 1729, includes the sentences for several people involved in publishing a certainly issue of “Mist’s Journal” which apparently had content unfavorable to the authorities. Once defendant was sentenced: “…to walk round the four courts in Westminster Hall with a paper on his forehead denoting his offence, and to suffer one month’s imprisonment…”. See the other sentences as well:

Filed under: The 1700's, The Hobby, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , , ,

A reason to drink?

December 31, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

This front page item from the “Prescott Journal-Miner” of Arizona, October 29, 1929, is self-explanatory. Perhaps some can commiserate.  There’s a New Year’s resolution here somewhere…

Filed under: The 20th & 21st Centuries, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , , ,

One never knows… Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

The Christmas Season is a wonderful time of reflection for many… of love…  of giving… of sacrifice.  A few weeks ago a man came to us with a story involving rare newspapers (indirectly) which reminded us of the importance of caring for others.  The icing on the cake is the involvement of a soldier who had given much… and received so little, until…

Richard Storrs was in the military in 1950 and had the unfortunate fate of being on a train as it traveled through Ohio when it was rammed by another. “221 Guardsman Dead” was the headline of the “Detroit News” of  Sept. 11, 1950. Richard Storrs was among the survivors, but he injured his leg causing a disability.

He never received pension benefits from the incident, perhaps not believing it was possible as the years passed. But a prompt from others to pursue let to the need to prove the incident happened. Searching online in 2010  the Storrs’ found our website, which by good fortune happened to have the mentioned newspaper with details of the report on the front page. With this evidence his proof was secured and he was not only able to get pension benefits, but payments missed over the previous 60 years.

One never knows how our newspapers are actually used. We assume only collectors treasure them for historical information related to their interests, but obviously they can provide to be the missing link to family events, solve historical conundrums, and evidence needed to right a wrong from many years past.

The heros of this story are the “others” who will likely forever remain nameless, who saw a friend in need and prompted him to take action.  Who can we be an “other” to during this wonderful season?  We may never know the results of our kindnesses, but there is Someone who certainly will… and regardless, a child of God will be blessed.

Merry Christmas (Luke 10:25-37)!

The Staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Food for Thought, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , ,

The Traveler… promise to pay…

December 19, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

Today I found myself in London, England with the Post-Boy dated December 20, 1711.  I also found that even with traveling back three hundred years, a portion of this paper would fit right into today’s newsstands.  An article on the front page of this issue was the reporting “…to Bribe an honest member of the Church of England, to vote against the interest of that church, and his own conscience…”. The text of the “promise to pay” note is included in the article as well.

On the back page of this issue also contains a notice posted by a husband, stating that he would no longer be responsible for his wife’s debts. The description of his wife is very interesting!!

Until next year, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

~The Traveler

Filed under: The 1700's, The Hobby, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , ,

Must have sounded better than gunshots…

December 17, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

The “Norwich Gazette” of England had this notice (see below) in their August 23, 1729 newspaper.  There must have been a heated rivalry between the bell ringers of Norwich and those of Eye in the county of Suffolk. Too bad YouTube wasn’t around then….would have liked to have seen the video.

Filed under: The 1700's, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , ,

For sale: an army, and more…

December 10, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

This tongue-in-cheek “For Sale By Auction…A Warlike Nation” advertisement appeared in “The Connecticut Courant” newspaper of Hartford, August 19, 1783, shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War.  It offers some biting commentary on thoughts of the politicians of England and the military leadership after losing the Revolutionary War.  Enjoy…

Filed under: The 1700's, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , ,

The Traveler… Battle of Tippecanoe…

December 5, 2011 by · Leave a Comment 

Today I traveled to December 5, 1811 where I found the Middlesex Gazette from Middletown, Connecticut carried an extract of a letter sent to a Member of Congress. This was reporting on “an action between the troops under Gov. Harrison and the Indians under the Prophet… There were 170 whites killed and wounded, and as many Indians… The battle was fought in sight of the Prophet’s Town…. There has been dreadful slaughter…”, being a report on the famous Battle of Tippecanoe.

Governor William Harrison later became our ninth President of the United States which had the campaign slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too”. He also the shortest serving president and the first president to die in office.

A little tidbit of history for this day… 200 years past!

~The Traveler

Filed under: Pre Civil War, The Hobby, Unusual, Fun & Bizarre
Tagged: , , ,

« Previous Page — Next Page »