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They put it in print… The DNC must make decision on the KKK…
March 28, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
It is easy to look at the deficiencies of our current political climate and forget from whence we came. It is one of the reasons why many of those from “The Greatest Generation,” who saw friends give up their lives for the cause of freedom, quickly become frustrated with those who take those freedoms lightly, and neglect to see the progress this “experiment is self-government” has made in less than 250 years. I was reminded of this truth when I came across a June 28, 1924 issue of the Leominster Daily Enterprise which had the heading: “COMMITTEE [DNC] GRAPPLES ALL NIGHT WITH KU KLUX KLAN ISSUE.” Let’s put down our partisan-tipped weapons, reopen the lines of communication, and with a degree of civility and mutual respect, move forward in our quest to make this country a place where each and every citizen can prosper on a foundation of equality, hard-work, and freedom.
They put it in print… Slavery is not a respecter of race, color, or creed…
March 24, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Slavery, along with its multitude of abuses, has been part and parcel of society for millennia. This point was brought to the forefront as we were reading a July 10, 1671 London Gazette. It reports of letters from the Island of Corfu which talk about Turks transporting Christian slaves – with a mention that they were good workers. While a bit troubling, it also makes a request for everyone to stay clear of the vessels in order to keep the peace. Interesting.
Announcing: Catalog #268 (for March, 2018) is now available…
March 1, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Rare Newspapers’ monthly offering of collectible newspapers, Catalog 268, is now available. This latest collection of authentic newspapers is comprised of nearly 350 new items. Some of the noteworthy content includes: the desired New York Times reporting Lincoln’s assassination, Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms, Winslow Homer’s famous ‘Snap The Whip”, Battle of Lexington & Concord, a great 1757 map of the French & Indian War, the Battle of the Alamo, and more.
To view the above key issues and a whole lot more, go to: Catalog 268
(The catalog links shown above will redirect to the latest catalog in approximately 30 days, upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.)
Announcing: Catalog #267 (for February, 2018) is now available…
February 1, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Rare Newspapers’ monthly offering of collectible newspapers, Catalog 267, is now available. This latest collection of authentic newspapers is comprised of nearly 350 new items. Some of the noteworthy content includes:
• The Articles of Confederation (on the front page)
• 1787 printing of the Constitution of the United States
• Terrific & very detailed 1740 map of the Caribbean
• The Gettysburg Address
• Period mention of the Great Fire of London
• Pennsylvania Gazette with the Ben Franklin imprint
To view the above key issues and a whole lot more, go to: Catalog 267
(The catalog links shown above will redirect to the latest catalog in approximately 30 days, upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.)
An Alternative to Capital Punishment Explored in the 1700’s…
January 11, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Among several reports from America posted in The London Chronicle for January 19, 1768 is a report from Denmark which brings to light their experimentation with an alternative approach to the death sentence for the most heinous of crimes. Rather than editorializing, I’ll let the the text do the talking…
Announcing: Catalog #266 (for January, 2018) is now available…
January 4, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Rare Newspapers’ monthly offering of collectible newspapers, Catalog 266, is now available. This latest collection of authentic newspapers is comprised of nearly 350 new items. Some of the noteworthy content includes:
• the Battle of Bunker Hill…
• a rare issue of the “Pennsylvania Magazine” from 1775…
• the Gettysburg Address on the front page…
• the first magazine printing of the Star Spangled Banner…
• a North Carolina issue on the North Carolina secession…
• the Great Fire of London in a London newspaper (front page)…
To view the above key issues and a whole lot more, go to: Catalog 266
(The catalog links shown above will redirect to the latest catalog in approximately 30 days, upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.)
Sometimes it’s what’s missing that catches the eye… Alaska…
December 28, 2017 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the greatest hobby-related pleasures experienced by those who collect rare and early newspapers is finding previously unidentified content within an issue. While not on the same scale as finding gold, “mining” a newspaper for reports that were missed by the seller is certainly rewarding. Time and time again collectors tell us they purchased a newspaper for under $30 for a relatively minor report only to find a hidden gem buried deeper within the issue. Such discoveries, at times, can be financially rewarding, but in a world where the unexpected is often tethered to bad news, such relatively common incidents in the newspaper collecting hobby are a sweet salve to the weary soul (okay – perhaps a little overstated). Still, it certainly is to a seller’s advantage to keep such incidents to a minimum. Prior to offering a newspaper for sale, we compare it to various historical databases and our 40+ year chronological record of findings to help us estimate when a report of historical significance might be found. Since news traveled a bit more slowly in previous centuries, even our best intentions are left wanting.
This being said, there are times when, as we go through the process of searching for historical content, what surprises us most is what we are unable to find – or the minimal coverage which is present. Its not that we miss the coverage, rather, its that what we now see as noteworthy events – often buoyed up by movies, history books, etc., were mere blips on the screen at the time they occurred, and the contemporary coverage only serves to confirm its position in the coverage food-chain of the day.
The purchase of Alaska from Russia, finalized on March 30, 1867, is such an event. After spending over an hour searching for a mention in a set of Springfield (MA) Republicans from 1867, coverage finally showed up on page five of the April 10th issue (see image). Perhaps this is why the purchase, promoted heavily by and signed by the U.S. Secretary of State at the time, William H. Seward, became known as “Seward’s Folly.” Of course just because many of his contemporaries thought paying 2 cents an acre was foolish doesn’t mean he was wrong. Sometimes the masses simply don’t get it right – as time would reveal.
Christmas Day… Not what one might expect…
December 24, 2017 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
Over the years we have written various Christmas-themed posts for the 25th (or 24th) of December. Many of these (and a few extras) may be viewed at Christmas-Themed Posts. However, almost by accident, as I was preparing for this year I happened to notice that the “reason for the season” and what has appeared on the pages of many newspapers published on Christmas don’t necessarily correlate. Before accessing the following link (which will take you to a chronological listing of such issues we have listed on our website – most of which are no longer available), think back through the past 300-400 years and try to come up with a handful events which were reported on Christmas morning. Once done, go to the link to see if you were successful. Enjoy – oh, and Merry Christmas.
The Traveler… dry as a bone…
December 18, 2017 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I went to Atlanta, Georgia, by the way of The Atlanta Constitution dated December 18, 1917. I found a big announcement had just been made “‘Bone Day’ Nation Put Up To States” as the
“Prohi Amendment Adopted By House By Vote 282 to 128” had occurred. “Nation-wide prohibition won in the house today and only the adjustment of a slight difference in resolution between the house and senate now stands in the way of submitting to state legislatures an amendment to the federal constitution forbidding the manufacture, sale or importation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes in the United States or its territories…”
Here’s to you!
~The Traveler
Headlines of History… The St. Louis Mercantile Library…
November 13, 2017 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
If you are in the St. Louis area in the near future, you may want to stop by the St. Louis Mercantile Library to view their new exhibit: “Headlines of History: Historic Newspapers of St. Louis and the World Through the Centuries at the St. Louis Mercantile Library Association.” A few related links are as follows:
Posted Interview Regarding the Exhibit