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Top 10 lists…
December 3, 2009 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Top 10 lists are always fun to consider. Their strength is in their ability to generate thought, reflection, and opinion. We all acknowledge that no two top ten lists are the same, and whereas going to experts in the field may add a certain level of credibility to a list, even an amateur/novice can bring food for thought to the discussion. Everyone has an opinion, and each and every opinion has some some value. In the end, the greatest benefit may well be in the journey traveled as we formulate and consider both our own views as well as the views of others.
It is with this in mind we plan to offer 4 top ten lists over the course of the next four Mondays. The focus will be on giving thought to the top ten most historic newspapers from each of the following eras: 17th century and earlier (12/7/2009), 18th century (12/14/2009), 19th century (12/21/2009), and 20th century & beyond (12/28/2009). In some cases we may choose a specific newspaper title (any date), realizing that having any issue of the title is of note. In other instances we may focus on a specific title and date of a newspaper – these being the “holy grails” of the hobby. Yet in other cases we’ll include a more general top ten entry, focusing on the event itself, acknowledging that finding any newspaper coverage of the event is noteworthy.
As we proceed through the month, we invite both reactions to our lists and the submission of your own “top tens”.
In an effort to help kick-start your walk into the past, we invite you to enjoy a recent post which appeared on OnLineSchool.net titled, “100 Great Moments in American History You Can Catch on YouTube”, by Amber Johnson: (http://onlineschool.net/2009/11/18/100-great-moments-in-american-history-you-can-catch-on-youtube/).
Lincoln establishes a national Thanksgiving Day…
November 26, 2009 by TimHughes · 1 Comment
Appropriate for this day we show photos of the official Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln establishing the “…last Thursday in November…” as a day of Thanksgiving.
In the midst of the Civil War and with the troubles the nation was facing, he thought it appropriate that: “…fellow citizens in every part of the United States…to act apart & observe…a day of Thanksgiving & Prayer to our beneficent Father…due to him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national…disobedience, commend to His tender care…implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation & to restore it...” (see photos).
This text appeared in the New York Daily Tribune of October 5, 1863. A beautifully written piece by the President in the midst of so much national turmoil & bloodshed. Please enjoy:
Even then they wondered, “what’s next?”…
October 10, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The “Mother Lode Magnet” newspaper from the small mining town of Jamestown in Northern California had an interesting item in its September 14, 1898 issue. One wouldn’t be surprised if it appeared in a newspaper today:
Before they became famous…or “infamous”…
September 19, 2009 by TimHughes · 2 Comments
A special desire for many collectors is to find a newspaper mentioning a name which would not become famous for many years, such as the “Lincoln & Herndon” attorney advertisements from Springfield, Illinois in 1857, or a newspaper ad noting John Wilkes Booth appearing in a play in 1863.
The item shown in the photo fits this category, appearing on the front page of the “Detroit Free Press” in its November 1, 1959 newspaper. If a Kennedy assassination plot existed, the plans may have begun as early as…
How to be a cowboy: The protocol in 1882…
August 13, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
It’s interesting how the stereotype of the cowboy as created by Western movies and the lore generated by Western writers can hold true to reality. This was my thought when I can across an interesting tidbit from a Yuma, Arizona, newspaper of January 7, 1882—from a truly Western town at the high point of the Wild West era:
“He Wanted to be a Cowboy”
A youth recently went all the way from Chicago to New Mexico to become a cowboy. When there he explained his desire to a typical mountaineer whom he met and asked for instructions in the role he had wished to assume. Grasping him by the hand the mountaineer said: “You want to get a buckskin suit with plenty of fringe, a pair of high boots and a pair of high spurs. Then you want to get a broad-rimmed hat–the broader the better; two fort-fives, a knife, a Winchester rifle and a horse; then you want to get drunk and get on your horse; then take the reins in your teeth, a revolver in each hand, and go down the street at a full run, shooting at every jump. then come back and yell as loud as you can: ‘My name is ______ and I’m stinking for a fight; I’m a sone-of-a-gun from the plains.’ After that you will be a cowboy.” The picture is duly referred to the cowboy’s prototype in Western Missouri.”
A time to have fun and to gather perspective…
July 16, 2009 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Earlier this week Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sent a newsletter to their members which contained a fun contest and a little food for thought. Based on member feedback, we thought the History’s Newsstand subscribers might also enjoy the newsletter (especially items 1, 2, and 6).
Newsletter (sent to members on July 14, 2009)
Dear Friends of Rare Newspapers,
Welcome to the July 2009 edition of our monthly newsletter. In an effort to counter (or at least soften) the pervasively negative economic/political tone which seems to be swirling about from every direction, we’d like to offer a few diversions (see items 1, 2, and 6 below). Please enjoy!
1. A New Scavenger Hunt – The History’s Newsstand Blog exists to serve those interested in the rare newspapers collectible. For the next 7 days we would like to encourage our members to go “scavenger hunting” at the blog. We’ve placed an image (see below) at the bottom of one of the posted articles which includes a discount code below the image (as a caption). This code may be entered at checkout at www.rarenewspapers.com to receive 20% off any website order, no matter how large or small. The code, if found, may be shared with friends, but it may only be used toward website listings (not eBay or custom quotes), and it may not be used in conjunction with any other discount code (new customer, new member, premium member, etc.). Have fun! Read the articles. Enjoy!!! The image to be “unearthed” is:
(the contest image looks identical to the above image)
2. Blog Posts from History’s Newsstand with a humorous edge may be accessed at: https://blog.rarenewspapers.com/?cat=116
3. The Most Recent Offering – Catalog 164 (just released) – Over 300 newly listed hand-picked issues may be viewed/purchased at: http://www.rarenewspapers.com/list?code=supplement
4. Discounted Items – From now until July 31st, we have a selection of issues which have been discounted by 20% (price shown reflects the discount). The “theme” of these items is 20th century “Displayable” issues. They may be viewed at: http://www.rarenewspapers.com/list?code=Discounted+Issues
5. Timely eBay/website listings:
Moon Landing (on eBay)
Stock Market Crash (on the website)
Abraham Lincoln (on eBay)
Public Enemies, Gangsters, etc. (on the website)
6. Food for Thought – Concerning Our Current Economic and Political Environment (source: wikipedia):
“This too shall pass” (Hebrew: גם זה יעבור, gam zeh yaavor) is a phrase occurring in a Jewish wisdom folktale involving King Solomon. The phrase is commonly engraved on silver rings.
Many versions of the folktale have been recorded by the Israel Folklore Archive at the University of Haifa. Heda Jason recorded this version told by David Franko from Turkey:
“One day Solomon decided to humble Benaiah Ben Yehoyada, his most trusted minister. He said to him, “Benaiah, there is a certain ring that I want you to bring to me. I wish to wear it for Sukkot which gives you six months to find it.” “If it exists anywhere on earth, your majesty,” replied Benaiah, “I will find it and bring it to you, but what makes the ring so special?” “It has magic powers,” answered the king. “If a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad, and if a sad man looks at it, he becomes happy.” Solomon knew that no such ring existed in the world, but he wished to give his minister a little taste of humility. Spring passed and then summer, and still Benaiah had no idea where he could find the ring. On the night before Sukkot, he decided to take a walk in one of the poorest quarters of Jerusalem. He passed by a merchant who had begun to set out the day’s wares on a shabby carpet. “Have you by any chance heard of a magic ring that makes the happy wearer forget his joy and the broken-hearted wearer forget his sorrows?” asked Benaiah. He watched the grandfather take a plain gold ring from his carpet and engrave something on it. When Benaiah read the words on the ring, his face broke out in a wide smile. That night the entire city welcomed in the holiday of Sukkot with great festivity. “Well, my friend,” said Solomon, “have you found what I sent you after?” All the ministers laughed and Solomon himself smiled. To everyone’s surprise, Benaiah held up a small gold ring and declared, “Here it is, your majesty!” As soon as Solomon read the inscription, the smile vanished from his face. The jeweler had written three Hebrew letters on the gold band: gimel, zayin, yud, which began the words “Gam zeh ya’avor” — “This too shall pass.” At that moment Solomon realized that all his wisdom and fabulous wealth and tremendo us power were but fleeting things, for one day he would be nothing but dust.”
The phrase “This too shall pass” and the associated ring story were made popular by Abraham Lincoln in his ‘Address Before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin’ on September 30, 1859.
“It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!
Best wishes,
Guy & The Rare Newspapers Staff
If you’d like to become a member of “Rare Newspapers” (free), you’re invited to sign-up at: http://www.rarenewspapers.com/memberships
Quotes defining history…
July 13, 2009 by Morris Brill · 2 Comments
When I was fourteen years old (ah, so many years ago) I acquired an interest in quotations. By the time I was twenty-one I had read the entire collection of Bartlett’s Famous Quotations and recorded each of the quotes that had significance for me. I have since added to my list of favorites.
Coincidentally, when I was twenty-one, I also bought my first collectable newspaper; The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Many years ago I concluded that often a quote, paired with a specific headline, added profound meaning to the headline. The right quotation enhanced the moral or social significance of the headline. Often, the right quote was able to capture the ‘essence’ of the headline.
Quotes, like newspapers, unite us with the past. They provide us with the thoughts of those who came before us. Additionally, within a newspaper, you may find text that contains a statement that later becomes a famous quote.
For instance: the Boston Gazette of December 26, 1805 contains a report on the Battle of Trafalgar. The article quotes British Admiral Horatio Nelson as saying, “England expects that every man will do his duty.” And we all know of President Franklin Roosevelt’s quote in his inaugural acceptance speech in 1933, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” which can be found on the front page of many newspapers of the time.
Of course, each individual would select different quotes to pair with a headline. I believe that the quotes a person prefers are a reflection of that person’s personal social background, religious background, education, and political persuasion.
With that said, and with your indulgence, I would like to share with you a very small sample of my pairings.
“It is loneliness that makes the loudest noise. This is true of men as of dogs.” – Eric Hoffer
Headline: Treaty of Peace – Pennsylvania Packet – 11/08/1783
Quote: “What a free society offers to the individual is much more than what he would be able to do if only he were free.” – F.S. Hayek
Headline: Death of Benjamin Franklin – The Gentleman’s Magazine – 06/01/1790
Quote: “It is sweet to serve one’s country by deeds, and it is not absurd to serve her by words” – Sallust
Headline: Death of President Washington – The True American – 01/01/1800
Quote: “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government” – Edward Abbey
Headline: Queen Victoria Coronation – Main Farmer/Journal of Useful Arts – 08/07/1838
Quote: “Uneasy is the head that wears a crown” – William Shakespeare
Headline: This “Flying Machine” Flies – Philadelphia Press – 12/19/1903
Quote: “I think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right” – Albert Einstein
Headline: Life Terms in Prison for Leopold and Lobe – Los Angeles Evening Herald – 02/04/1924
Quote: “Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Headline: Death Takes Stalin’s Reign – Syracuse Herald-Journal – 06/06/1954
Quote: “O, it is excellent to have a giant’s strength! But it is tyrannous to use it like a giant.” – William Shakespeare
Headline: Eichmann Convicted – Los Angeles Mirror – 12/11/1961
Quote: “The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” – Joseph Conrad
Headline: A Lonely Life Ends on Elvis Presley Boulevard – Memphis Press Scimtar – 08/17/1977
Quote: “It is loneliness that makes the loudest noise. This is true of men as of dogs.” – Eric Hoffer
Thank you for attention and interest.
Morris Brill
Darwin’s “other” sons…
July 11, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The Ogden Junction newspaper from Utah, dated September 6, 1873, includes this small comic tidbit making light of Darwin’s theory of evolution.
The trek from boyhood to manhood…
June 20, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The Boston Evening Transcript of July 21, 1862 has an interesting article on the front page headed “Youth And Manhood”, which is the writer’s reflection upon how–for him–the step from youth to manhood was a singular, notable
“Today we are children; tomorrow we are not. Today we stand in life’s vestibule; tomorrow we are in the temple… awed… humbled… and smitten…”
Although a bit morose in tone, it is nicely written and worth sharing.
Baseball fans… can you help?
May 11, 2009 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
A customer was requesting a newspaper with a report of Nap LaJoie, one of the more notable names in baseball in the early 20th century, ending the 1901 season with a .422 batting average. He was one of only a few to do so in the 20th century (there’s been a 67 year dry spell since Ted Williams was the last to do so, in 1941).
Finding reports of batting averages in 1901 is very difficult, but I did find a report at the end of the season which notes: “Lajoie…took part in 131 games. He was at bat 554 times, made 226 singles, 48 doubles 12 triples and 13 home runs…”.
Never mind that the numbers are slightly off from the official record book, which notes 543 games, 229 singles, 48 doubles (only one correct), 13 triples and 14 homers, as such errors might be understandable. But even given the accurate numbers, in calculating his average one comes up with a sum of 304 successful at bats, divided by the number of games (543) giving an average of .560. But curiously, if you just took his 229 singles divided by 543 the result is exactly his recorded batting average: .4217, rounded out to .422.
Should I surmise that the term “singles” actually means “hits” by today’s terminology ? Was this the common practice back then, to call any type of “hit” a “single”? If so, when did they make the switch?
Thanks for your help !
Tim