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I’m New Here… Week One
February 15, 2019 by Stephanie Williams · 10 Comments
It’s a daunting world — Rare & Early Newspapers — and at first it can feel like being in a foreign country, overhearing a few words that sound familiar in a vague sort of way. At least, that’s my sense. But I suspect it appeared that way to many collectors at the beginning. With that in mind, my plan is to share some of my observations, discoveries and even mistakes over the coming weeks, months and years as I learn to navigate this universe of newsprint. If you have never even held an old paper, much less thought to purchase one, perhaps my adventures will pique your own interest and you’ll find yourself browsing the titles and descriptions of the details of life in a bygone era. Having “met” a few of you veteran collectors and scholars, I suspect you might enjoy a little reminder of the early days when you turned that first purchase over in your hand, skimmed the columns, and then settled in for a read.
I began and then discarded multiple versions of this initial post — there’s no way to convey the immensity of standing in a treasure trove that is more than three times my height, wider than my house, and filled with papers. Without moving my feet I can examine the headlines from Harper’s, published every Saturday in the first half of 1869. 1869. That is not a misprint! The proper title is “Harper’s Weekly”, subtitled “A Journal of Civilization”. It is astounding that one hundred and fifty years after these rolled off the printing press, were cut and bundled and delivered to 100,000 people living in a completely different world (regardless of our shared geographical location), I am able to hold an original issue in my hands. It’s a rag paper, so the pages can be turned without any fear of damaging it. I verified this before opening an issue; gloves aren’t even required. The details of manners and battles and grocers and treasury debt emerge and bring the inevitable conclusion. Life in a different time –even with dramatically changed fashions, altered lifestyles, and varied circumstances– is still life. Civilization is after all the story of people. Sometimes it’s seen in broad strokes, sometimes in classified advertisements. I found the following in an 1861 publication, “When families send for ‘Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire Sauce’, observe if it is the genuine JOHN DUNCAN & SONS…” I am amazed the condiment has been around so long (and wonder, who was making fake Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire Sauce?). Others might be more interested in the 15″ map of Major-General McClellan’s Operations Along The Potomac.
Anyway, the Harper’s Weeklies section is a good place to stand and introduce myself and tell you I am privileged to be here. Please check in and see the “progress” part of my experience. Also, tell me what I should look for if you’ve been around a while. And if you’re new, feel free to ask any questions. If I don’t have the answer (which is likely, as I am new here) I have recently met some brilliant people who probably do.
Stephanie
Where have we been?
January 31, 2019 by GuyHeilenman · 3 Comments
In case you hadn’t noticed, those of us at RareNewspapers.com who write and manage the History’s Newsstand Blog have been on a hiatus the last month as we’ve negotiated the changing of the guard within our staff. Doreen Mileto (pen name “The Traveler”), who has served as our office manager for 15 years, is retiring on January 31st. We wish her the best as she and her husband seek to spend more time with their children (and grand-kiddos), and pursue adventures formerly inhibited as a result of being tethered to an ongoing work schedule. Good for her.
As of this Friday, our new office manager will be Stephanie Williams – a lover of both history and literature. Once settled, our blog posts will resume.
Thank you for your patience.
Guy Heilenman
Co-owner, Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
Revisiting “The Crime of the Century” through the reporting of the Chicago Tribune…
December 20, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Question: What do you get when you cross The Chicago Tribune with “The Crime of the Century”?
The Chicago Tribune, self-described as “The World’s Greatest Newspaper,” earned a reputation for having dramatic, timely headlines. In this regards, they are perhaps 2nd to none. However, they are also well-known for what may very well be the greatest mistake in front-page headline news: “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” While certainly the most recognized, it was not the Chicago Tribune’s 1st major faux pa. Approximately 16 years earlier, in an effort to be at the forefront of breaking news in regards to “The Crime of the Century,” they printed the dramatic headline: “REPORT ‘LINDY BABY HOME’.” Sadly this would prove to be a false, unsubstantiated report (aka, “fake news”) – as the Lindbergh baby would be found dead a little more than a month later. It sure goes to show how even the “best of the best” can make mistakes – a good lesson in humility for all of us.
Snapshot 1918… President Wilson becomes the first U.S. President to…
December 13, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from The New York Times dated December 14, 1918. This week marks the 100th anniversary of Woodrow Wilson becoming the 1st U.S. President to walk the shores of Europe while still in office. It is hard to believe it took 1 1/4 centuries for this to occur.
Snapshot 1928… If only they new of the pending storm???
December 10, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from The Chicago Daily Tribune dated November 21, 1928. If only they knew what was to come in less than a year, perhaps many would not have counted their chickens before they hatched.
Announcing: Catalog #277 (for December, 2018) is now available…
December 1, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
- Catalog 277 (in its entirety)
- Noteworthy Catalog 277 ($250+)
- Combined Catalogs (current, w/ remnants of previous)
Don’t forget about this month’s DISCOUNTED ISSUES.
(The catalog links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days, upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.)
Snapshot 1847… Woman’s Suffrage meets dripping sarcasm…
November 26, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from the Boston Evening Transcript dated August, 9, 1847. Perhaps the journalist should have included a little less sarcasm in the reporting on this historic woman’s suffrage gathering.
Who should have the right to vote? Food for thought…
November 5, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Who should have the right to vote? Should Native Americans? Blacks? Poor Whites? Women? Citizens who either don’t own land or who are unemployed (i.e., don’t pay taxes)? Although all of these at one time did not have the right to vote, today, we all (hopefully) unanimously agree the answer is a resounding YES – and thankfully, although it took time, they now can. However, although we are unified in our appreciation that all citizens should be granted this privilege, is there a responsibility that comes with this right – a civic duty to not only exercise this “right”, but to do so as an informed voter? THE DAILY GRAPHIC’s (New York) November 2, 1875 illustrated front page weighed in on this issue with a degree of sarcasm. Enjoy.
Announcing: Catalog #276 (for November, 2018) is now available…
November 1, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
- Catalog 276 (in its entirety)
- Noteworthy Catalog 276 ($250+)
- Combined Catalogs (current, w/ remnants of previous)
Don’t forget about this month’s DISCOUNTED ISSUES.
(The catalog links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days, upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.)
They Put It In Print… Schools need to teach The Constitution…
October 29, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Human nature has a tendency to drive us to forget – to enjoy the bountiful privileges earned on the backs, and at times the very lives of those who have gone before us, but to forget the great cost paid to obtain them. After a few generations pass, the backdrop which drove such impassioned effort to earn them is also lost.
The year was 1922. It had been a mere 1.5 centuries since the ratification of The U.S. Constitution had paved the way for a new form of society, and there was already a deep-rooted concern that the unless citizens studied and learned the basic tenets of the Constitution, it would not stand. How do we know? The Virginia Pilot dated September 22, 1922 put it in print. Although its now nearly 100 years since the article was written, the call remains – perhaps even more-so. 