When crises happen, publishers can be creative… Ben Franklin & the Stamp Act…

August 24, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

Occasionally, a newspaper just doesn’t look like a newspaper. When crises happen, some newspaper publishers can be creative and angry, resulting in “newspapers” that are quite unusual. Here is one.

Looking very much like a broadside (although it is four pages), an issue we purchased many years ago is simply headed: “REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES”, having no date, no city of publication, and no issue number.

With some investigation, we learned that this is actually the November 14, 1765 issue of the famous “Pennsylvania Gazette” printed by Ben Franklin and David Hall. The hated Stamp Act took effect on Nov. 1, 1765. Therefore the paper was suspended and in its place a broadside entitled “No Stamped Paper to be had” was printed for Nov. 7, and this four page issue titled: “Remarkable Occurrences” was created for Nov. 14. The regular title and numbering were resumed with the Nov. 21 issue but without the imprint. No name of publisher appeared until the Feb. 6, 1766 issue printed by David Hall, as the partnership with Franklin had been dissolved.

Never, previously, have we ever handled either of these two issues.

The entire front page is taken up with Stamp Act content. Page 2 has content from Europe, and pages 3 and 4 have content with datelines from Boston, Newport, Philadelphia, and New York with again, much of the content related to the Stamp Act.

This is treasured as one of the more intriguing newspapers in our inventory, and is even more notable with its connection to the Stamp Act.

Filed under: Colonial, Noteworthy Issues, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community
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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on June/July, 1776)…

July 15, 2026 by · 1 Comment 

Today we close out our series, “Lead-Up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day” – the anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and self-government. However, the trek is not over. Now that the American colonists’ resolve for Independence has been Declared, the next phase of our journey will zero in on “The Fight for a Nation” – with monthly  installments reflecting on The Revolution. In the meantime, below are our reflections on the last 30 days leading up to July 4, 1776:
The following are the installments from last month (May, 2026, which reflected on the events as they were reported approximately 250 years ago – in and around May, 1776:

We hope you’ve are enjoyed this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As we continue with the next phase of the journey, as mentioned previously, all accounts will be rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.

“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Revolutionary War, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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The Declaration of Independence…Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor…

July 4, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

For roughly 5,000 years of recorded history, human civilization largely moved at a glacial pace. Empires rose and fell under kings, emperors, and tyrants. Most people lived under arbitrary rule, with limited rights, widespread slavery or serfdom, and slow technological and economic advancement. Then, in a remarkable burst beginning in the late 18th century, progress exploded, accelerated by the American Founding.

The Founders didn’t invent ideas from nothing—they synthesized the best principles from millennia of human experience, rooted in natural law, Judeo-Christian morality, English common law, and selective Enlightenment thought. They implemented these ideas into a new system of government that protected individual liberty and unleashed human potential like never before.

The intellectual roots of the Declaration of Independence (photo shown is from The Gentleman’s Magazine, London, August, 1776) stretch back thousands of years. Natural Law formed the bedrock with ancient thinkers like Aristotle and Cicero describing universal principles of justice discoverable by reason. Medieval Christian philosophers, especially Thomas Aquinas, integrated this with divine order. English common law and documents like the Magna Carta (1215) began limiting monarchical power and affirming rights.

Judeo-Christian traditions emphasized the inherent dignity of every person created in God’s image, moral accountability, and the idea that rulers are not above the law.

The Enlightenment provided key modern refinements. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government (1689) powerfully argued for natural rights to life, liberty, and property; government by consent of the governed; and the right of the people to overthrow tyranny. Montesquieu influenced ideas of separated powers.

The American colonists, steeped in these traditions through education, sermons, and experience with British overreach, saw the Crown’s actions as violations of these timeless principles. They didn’t seek to create something entirely novel but to restore and perfect ancient liberties in a new republic.

The Declaration didn’t end history’s challenges, but it marked a turning point. By grounding government in natural law, consent, and unalienable rights—while building institutions around virtue, limited power, and free enterprise—the Founders created conditions where human potential could flourish as never before.

Below you will find the fruit of the painstaking assembly of thoughts these Founders labored through, searching history & the heart of their creator to lay a framework for all mankind. Today of all days, may we appreciate their singular focus on creating a republic that would last and inspire others.

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives

 

Filed under: Colonial, Revolutionary War
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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on May, 1776)…

June 5, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

Today we continue our series, “Lead-Up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day” – the anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and self-government.
The following are the installments from last month (May, 2026, which reflected on the events as they were reported approximately 250 years ago – in and around May, 1776:

We hope you are enjoying this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As mentioned previously, all accounts are rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.

“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Revolutionary War, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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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

Filed under: Announcements, Catalog Release Announcements, Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Confederate, Death Reports, Great Headlines, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Old West Era, Post Civil War, Pre Civil War, Revolutionary War, Sports, The 1500's, The 1500's - 1700's, The 1600's, The 1700's, The 19th Century, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Hobby, The War of 1812, Yankee
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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on April, 1776)…

May 8, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

Today we continue our series, “Lead-Up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day” – the anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and self-government.
The following are the installments from last month (April, 2026, which reflected on the events as they were reported approximately 250 years ago – in and around April, 1776:

We hope you are enjoying this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As mentioned previously, all accounts are rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.

“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Revolutionary War, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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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

Filed under: Announcements, Catalog Release Announcements, Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Confederate, Death Reports, Great Headlines, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Old West Era, Post Civil War, Pre Civil War, Revolutionary War, Sports, The 1500's, The 1500's - 1700's, The 1600's, The 1700's, The 19th Century, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Hobby, The War of 1812, Yankee
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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (reflecting back on March, 1776)…

April 3, 2026 by · Leave a Comment 

Today we continue our series, “Lead-Up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day” – the anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and self-government.
The following are the installments from last month (March, 2026, which reflected on the events as they were reported approximately 250 years ago – in and around March, 1776:

We hope you are enjoying this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As mentioned previously, all accounts are rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.

“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Revolutionary War, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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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

Filed under: Announcements, Catalog Release Announcements, Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Confederate, Death Reports, Great Headlines, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Old West Era, Post Civil War, Pre Civil War, Revolutionary War, Sports, The 1500's, The 1500's - 1700's, The 1600's, The 1700's, The 19th Century, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Hobby, The War of 1812, Yankee
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Lead-up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day (February, 1776)…

March 6, 2026 by · 1 Comment 

Today we continue our series, “Lead-Up to a Nation… as reported in the newspapers of the day” – the anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and self-government.
The following are the installments from last month (February, 2026, which reflected on the events as they were reported approximately 250 years ago – in and around February, 1775:

We hope you are enjoying this year-long trek to the 250th anniversary of The United States through the eyes of those who were fully engaged, first hand. As mentioned previously, all accounts are rooted in what they read in the newspapers of the day.

“History is never more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported.” (Timothy Hughes, 1975)

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, Revolutionary War, The 1500's - 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
Tagged: , , , , ,

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