Spinning the Yarn: The Power of Newspapers as Primary Sources…

June 21, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

A collecting friend of ours has published a newspapers-tethered book that might interest many of you. The following summary is provided in case you’d like to take a look:

Spinning the Yarn—written by author Paul M. Bohannon—offers a compelling and original contribution to early baseball history, grounded firmly in the rich evidentiary value of historic newspapers. Drawing extensively from period sources such as Porter’s Spirit of the Times and the Sunday Mercury, the book highlights how contemporary reporting captured not just the scores of early games, but the culture, personalities, and pivotal moments that shaped the sport.

One of the book’s most intriguing revelations centers on an 1855 dinner hosted by Samuel Godwin, president of Brooklyn’s Putnam Base Ball Club. This gathering—held after a decisive victory—brought together players, dignitaries, and crucially, newspaper representatives. As documented in these early publications, the evening marked a turning point: an intentional and strategic outreach to the press that helped ignite sustained baseball coverage. The following year’s reports, including detailed accounts of the Putnam Club’s contests, reveal the emergence of a narrative style that would evolve into modern sports writing.

We extend our thanks (and best wishes for success) to Paul for demonstrating so powerfully how (rare &) early newspapers serve as invaluable primary sources for uncovering and preserving… and in this instance, instrumental on forming the story of America’s past.

[newspapers with baseball content]

 

Announcing: Catalog 367 – Released (early) for June, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

May 29, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

The June catalog (#367) of collectible newspapers is now available. The links below will help connect you with both the entire catalog and specific subsets within the catalog. We hope you enjoy.

CATALOG #367 (with access to the traditional set of focused links)

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES

(what remains of last month’s discounted issues – at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND

(recent posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog)

————–

LEAD-UP TO A NATION

(Common Sense – Condemnation of Monarchy)

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

Announcing: Catalog 366 – Released (early) for May, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

May 1, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

The May catalog (#366) of collectible newspapers is now available. The links below will help connect you with both the entire catalog and specific subsets within the catalog. We hope you enjoy.

CATALOG #366 (with access to the traditional set of focused links)

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES

(what remains of last month’s discounted issues – at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND

(recent posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog)

————–

LEAD-UP TO A NATION

(Independence was Destiny – The Case for Independence)

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

Announcing: Catalog 365 – Released (early) for April, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

March 27, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

The April catalog (#365) of collectible newspapers is now available. This catalog is being released early due to the typical release date (April 1st) being associated with a bit of (albeit playful) foolish pranking. Somehow it just didn’t seem to fit. 🙂

The links below will help connect you with both the entire catalog and specific subsets within the catalog. We hope you enjoy.

CATALOG #365 (with access to the traditional set of focused links)

CATALOG #365 (arranged for exploration)

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES

(what remains of last month’s discounted issues – at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND

(recent posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog)

————–

LEAD-UP TO A NATION

(Diverse Voices – Divisions of the Era)

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

Announcing: Catalog 364 – Released for March, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

February 27, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

Catalog 364 (for March): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: an issue re: the Olive Branch Petition, Hawaii’s first English language newspaper, “The Crisis” essay #9 by Thomas Paine, a first report of Lincoln’s assassination, a Civil War prison camp newspaper, an early newsbook from 1643, the historic “Funding Act”, and more.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

All Catalog (all items)

Abridged Catalog (EXCLUDES wholesale lots & titles sold only by year (not by a specific date)

A PDF Version of the Catalog (printable)

Entire Catalog grouped by Era:

                1500-1799 (full view OR quick-scan/compact view)

                1800-1899 (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)

                1900-Present (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)

The following links focus on both this month’s and last months catalogs:

Become a Premium Member to receive hard copy versions of our catalogs (U.S. residents only).

Announcing: Catalog 363 – Released for February, 2026 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

January 30, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

Catalog 363 (for February): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: a Massachusetts Spy with the desired “Join or Die” snake engraving, a Pennsylvania Ledger with the Olive Branch Petition, one of the rarest of early American magazines, The Jew Bill: striving for equal rights for Jews, a handsome colonial New York newspaper from 1745, a fine report on the death of George Washington, and more.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

  • Entire Catalog grouped by Era:

                1500-1799 (full view OR quick-scan/compact view)

                1800-1899 (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)

                1900-Present (full view OR quick-scan/compact” view)

The following links focus on both this month’s and last months catalogs:

Become a Premium Member to receive hard copy versions of our catalogs (U.S. residents only).

Announcing: Catalog #361 for December, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

December 1, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 

December’s catalog (#361) is now available. The links shown below will take you to various segments of the new catalog, the History’s Newsstand Blog, and the current list of discounted issues. There is also a special announcement regarding Tim Hughes’ milestone. We hope you enjoy!

Catalog #361 (for December): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: the famous “federal edifice” cartoon from 1788, Washington’s farewell address at Fraunces’ Tavern, the rare & intriguing “Cape-Fear Mercury” of 1775, “The Pennsylvania Gazette” with Ben Franklin’s imprint, perhaps the definitive Battle of Gettysburg issue, “The Oxford Gazette” of 1665 with Judaica content, and more.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

  • Grouped by price…

Priced under $50

Priced at $50-$99

Priced at $100-$299

Priced at $300 and up (the best of the best)

  • Grouped by era…

Dated from 1600-1799

Dated from 1800-1899

Dated from 1900-Present

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES – What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at: Discount (select items at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND – Recent Posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog may be accessed at: History’s Newsstand

Special Announcement regarding Tim Hughes:  From Passion to Legacy: 50 Years Strong… and Counting…

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

Announcing: Catalog #360 for November, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

October 31, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 

November’s catalog (#360) is now available. The links shown below will take you to various segments of the new catalog, the History’s Newsstand Blog, and the current list of discounted issues. We hope you enjoy!

Catalog #360 (for November): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: Washington’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation, a report on America’s first war, Gage’s account of Lexington & Concord, The Swedish Intelligencer from 1633, Lincoln’s assassination in the desired New York Times, notable broadside on the Gerrymander, and more.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

  • Grouped by price…

Priced under $50

Priced at $50-$99

Priced at $100-$299

Priced at $300 and up (the best of the best)

  • Grouped by era…

Dated from 1600-1799

Dated from 1800-1899

Dated from 1900-Present

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES – What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at: Discount (select items at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND – Recent Posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog may be accessed at: History’s Newsstand

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

Announcing: Catalog #359 for October, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

September 30, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 

October’s catalog (#359) is now available. The links shown below will take you to various segments of the new catalog and the current list of discounted issues. Enjoy!

Catalog #359 (for October): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: a great broadside on the surrender of Robert E. Lee, an early report on the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Washington’s Circular Letter on his resignation, The Gettysburg Address, the capture of Ethan Allen, “Neil Steps On The Moon” (from Neil Armstrong’s hometown), and more.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

  • Grouped by price…

Priced under $50

Priced at $50-$99

Priced at $100-$299

Priced at $300 and up (the best of the best)

  • Grouped by era…

Dated from 1600-1799

Dated from 1800-1899

Dated from 1900-Present

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES – What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at: Discount (select items at 50% off)

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

Announcing: Catalog #358 for September, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…

August 29, 2025 by · Leave a Comment 

September’s catalog (#358) is now available. The links shown below will take you to various segments of the new catalog, the History’s Newsstand Blog, two “bonus” catalog items, and the current list of discounted issues. Enjoy!

Catalog #358 (for September): This latest offering of authentic newspapers is comprised of over 300 new items, a selection which includes the following noteworthy issues: the famous ‘tombstone edition’ of the Pennsylvania Journal from 1765, a terrific broadside on Lincoln’s assassination, ‘The Newes’ newsbook from 1663, the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War, coverage of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Emancipation Proclamation (in a Washington, D.C. paper), and more.

The following links are designed to help you explore all available items from this latest edition of our catalog:

  • Grouped by price…

Priced under $50

Priced at $50-$99

Priced at $100-$299

Priced at $300 and up (the best of the best)

  • Grouped by era…

Dated from 1600-1799

Dated from 1800-1899

Dated from 1900-Present

————–

DISCOUNTED ISSUES – What remains of last month’s discounted issues may be viewed at: Discount (select items at 50% off)

HISTORY’S NEWSSTAND – Recent Posts on the History’s Newsstand Blog may be accessed at: History’s Newsstand

Thanks for collecting with us!

Sincerely,

Guy Heilenman & The Rare & Early Newspapers Team

RareNewspapers.com

570-326-1045

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