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Beyond the historic headline…
November 1, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
“Newspapers that shaped the world…“
Some of the better & more fascinating items found in old newspapers are not the most historic or significant, but rather the casual appearance of seemingly innocuous reports which excite collecting interest beyond the historic headline or dramatic presentation which are the more usual draw.
Much of what intrigues collectors can be lost within the body of reports, yet they tell a story of their own, such as the patriotic fervor of some colonist during the Revolutionary War. I recall an issue of the Edinburgh Evening Courant of June, 1776 reporting on American soldiers: “…Their uniform is a dark grey coarse linen frock, which covers the whole body…with the words, ‘Death or Liberty’ marked in large red letters on the right sleeve; and many of them are so enthusiastic as to have them marked with their own blood…”. This report is almost lost on page 3 yet its message is very telling of the spirit which caused the Americans to win the war against a world power despite insurmountable odds.
Some reports are fascinating by their bias. A Richmond newspaper of July, 1863 reporting on the Battle of Gettysburg notes: “…The Confederates did not gain a victory, neither did the enemy. He succeeded in defending himself & we failed in some portions of an attack…We killed more of the enemy than we lost; we took very many more prisoners than lost. The Confederate army did not leave the enemy until it had tried every link of his armour…” Another newspaper notes: “ ..Information, certainly authentic, is in the hands of the Government, which leaves no doubt of the safety & triumph of the noble army. General Lee was victorious in all the combats which have taken place. He has been engaged with the whole force of the United States & has broken its backbone…”, Perhaps the most extraordinary example of optimism appeared in the Richmond Examiner of July 25: “…The result was not a defeat, it was not a loss; it was only not a victory…It was little else than a disappointment of extraordinary expectations…”. What a precious statement as an example of Confederate optimism.
Other little gems were very prophetic in their reporting, particularly when read with an historic perspective. A Scottish newspaper from 1775 sensed a lasting war with America as it reflected on the Battle of Bunker: “…The mischiefs which have already arisen & the greater calamities which are threatened from the unnatural war excited in America…It is impossible we can see, without the utmost alarm, preparations making for the prosecution of an expensive & ruinous war with our own Colonies…”. Some can be very recent, like the New York Times comment on rookie Mickey Mantle in 1951: “…Mantle, who gives every promise of developing into an outstanding baseball star, was ordered to report to his draft board next Wednesday…” An editorial comment in the Army & Navy Journal just after the Gettysburg Address opined: “…a dedicatory speech by President Lincoln, which we give in full, as decidedly the best feature of the occasion, as well as one of the most felicitous utterances of its author.” How true.
Some were prophetic even when the reports were simply wrong, like the Illustrated American article of 1898 reporting on “A New Flying Machine That Flies”–five years before the Wright brothers–when it said: “…It is impossible to imagine without terror the day when these mechanical birds, these flying apparitions, will be able to rain upon armies, hostile towns and escalating parties most deadly and most destructive explosives…”. How true it would become.
There can be much to be found in newspapers beyond the headline. What a thrill it is to discover such hidden gems; reports that have escaped hundreds of years of history only to rediscovered with new-found relevance today. Such are just some of the joys of collecting early newspapers.
Please enjoy: “Newspapers that shaped the world…“
Countdown to “Newspapers that changed the world…”
October 24, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Each month Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers releases a catalog containing a new set of historic and collectible newspapers (1600′s through 20th century). However, on November 1, 2012, at 12:01 AM ET, the special edition, “Newspapers that changed the world…” will be released. Whether you already collect newspapers, or desire to simply view a sampling of what the hobby has to offer, check back for this special occasion:
Prior to November 1, 2012 and after November 30, 2012, the link below will take you to the most recent offerings of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers… History’s Newsstand! During the month of November it will take you to the special release catalog, “Newspapers that changed the world”.
View: “Newspapers that changed the world…“
A Labor Day Weekend Tribute through rare newspapers…
August 31, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
What was originally intended as a means for honoring the hard-working common laborers who helped build the United States into a prosperous nation (please, no “You didn’t build that!” comments), is now more closely associated with the end of summer. Families and friends join together in one final effort to squeeze the last drop of relaxation from their laborious efforts exerted through the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. Perhaps in the end this transition is well-suited to the intentions of the original proponents of the holiday… and much more has been gained than lost.
With appreciation for both the original and morphed sentiments of the holiday, the following links are intended to take you on a small trip back through the 19th and early 20th centuries, to view Labor Day through the eyes of those who have toiled before us. Please enjoy…
Labor Day as seen through:
Harper’s Weekly Labor Day issue of 1913
And a number of categories available via the History’s Newsstand eBay Store:
Thanks again to all those who have given so much to help make the world a better place. 🙂
Civil War Era Newspapers on Pinterest…
June 29, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We at Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers have made a brief attempt at providing an overview of the Civil War via images of historic newspapers. These images may be viewed at: Rare Newspapers on Pinterest. We invite you to join with us in telling the story by going to www.rarenewspapers.com to find additional issues you believe should be added to “the story”. Feel free to provide us with the item number(s) of any you would like to have added. You may contact us by responding to this post or by e-mail (guy@rarenewspapers.com).
Frederic Remington Prints on Pinterest…
May 25, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Frederic Remington is known for his work depicting the American Wild West. Many of his prints made their way onto the pages of Harper’s Weekly, the premier illustrated newspaper of the 19th and early 20th centuries, along with a handful of other publications of the period. Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers has posted several of these on Pinterest for everyone to enjoy. They may be found at: Frederic Remington Prints – Harper’s Weekly
The Civil War… 150 years ago… March 1, 1862…
March 1, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio… where was this war being fought? How are our loved ones doing? Are they near live action? Are they even still alive… or perhaps injured? Is the war coming to me? Are we safe? Will soldiers harm civilians? Will we ever be able to visit our relatives on the other side again? Would they even want to see us? What does all this mean? Today we look at original newspapers printed for March 1, 1862, and try to understand what it was like to walk in their shoes. Please enjoy:
Original Newspapers Read On March 1, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 22, 1862…
February 22, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
On February 22, 1862, news was spreading that Jefferson Davis was soon to be elected President of the Confederacy. If so, what would this mean? Would the war soon be over? Would this entrench the opposing sides making an early end nearly impossible? Additional news was spreading that Fort Donelson either was, or was soon to be, under fire. It seemed as if every day brought discouraging news to the North, and quite the opposite to the South. Please enjoy the following original newspapers printed for the day, and see life unfold through the eyes of those present during this flash-point period in American history:
Original Newspapers Read On February 22, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 15, 1862…
February 15, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
Today we take a look back at a sampling of the original newspapers printed for February 8, 1862. It is hard to imagine what it was like to rely almost entirely upon newspapers for news concerning loved ones, battle reports, military movements, political decisions, etc. – all of which were rapidly changing the landscape of American experiment in self government. Please enjoy:
Original Newspapers Read On February 15, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 8, 1862…
February 8, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
150 years ago today, citizens, from both the north and the south, sat down over a cup of coffee (if they were lucky) to read newspapers telling of the capture of Fort Henry, the Battle of Mill Spring, the available (advertisement) speech by Frederick Douglass, and more, while perhaps looking over large detailed maps of related regions. The daily newspaper was their connection to the events touching nearly every household in America. Enjoy a glimpse of the issues printed for the day:
Original Newspapers Read On February 8, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976
The Civil War… 150 years ago… February 1, 1862…
February 1, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An ongoing reflection on the Civil War… 150 years prior to this post…
On February 1, 1862, the following issues were all held… and read… by those living during the American Civil War. Feelings of fear, sorrow, and uncertainty were prevalent as readers searched for news which would provide a glimmer of hope that loved ones would be safe, the greater good would prevail, and soon all would be well. Experience a glimpse of their world as you browse through the following:
Original Newspapers Read On February 1, 1862
“History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.”, Timothy Hughes, 1976