July thru time (50, 100, 150, 200, & 250 years ago) – 2018 edition…
July 23, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
What news was reported in the month of July – 50 (1958), 100 (1918), 150 (1868), 200 (1818), and 250 (1768) years ago? Such a walk back through time via the eyes of those who read the daily and weekly newspapers of the period can be quite revealing. This is why we often say, “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.” The following links will take you back in time to show the available newspapers from the Rare & Early newspapers website. There’s no need to buy a thing. Simply enjoy the stroll.
Snapshot 1863… same-year review of “Les Misérables”…
July 19, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from The Atlantic Monthly, July, 1863…
Snapshot 1827… Fourth of July – New York abolishes slavery…
July 4, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from the July 9, 1827 issue of The Connecticut Courant, Hartford…
Announcing: Catalog #272 (for July, 2018) is now available…
June 29, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Rare Newspapers’ monthly offering of collectible newspapers, Catalog 272, is now available. This latest collection of authentic newspapers is comprised of nearly 350 new items. Some of the noteworthy content includes: a great set from Washington on the Dred Scott Decision, a London newspaper on the coronation of the king and queen, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, the first issue after printing the Declaration of Independence (from Philadelphia!), the Battle of Gettysburg (from close to the battlefield), a splendid map of America from 1763, and more.
To view the above key issues and a whole lot more, go to: Catalog 272
(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.)
Rare Judaica Collectibles Spanning Three Centuries – 1600’s, 1700’s, & 1800’s…
June 27, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Although we rarely use this forum to highlight items being offered for sale – especially when posted as auction items, however all three authentic publications are rather unique and highly desirable:
1670 – The Jews Are Banished From Vienna (Austria)
1778 – A Rare Print from the inside of the Synagogue at Amsterdam showing the celebration of Rosh Hashanah – “The Sounding of the Ram’s Horn” (note: we’d love to know which synagogue is shown)
From their ongoing quest to be accepted, to full acceptance demonstrated through their response to tragedy, with a rare, intimate, and illustrated look at one of their holy days sandwiched in-between, this set of issues certainly provides a broad-brush perspective of a people whose mark on history far surpasses their size. While the links above will expire once the auctions have ended, the links below will remain active indefinitely. Enjoy.
- The Jews are banished from Vienna (Austria)… THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 28, 1670
- A significant & rare Judaica print… Synagogue at Amsterdam… THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE, London, May, 1778
- Congregation Shearith Israel mourns… Lincoln’s funeral… NEW YORK TRIBUNE, April 21, 1865
June thru time (50, 100, 150, 200, & 250 years ago) – 2018 edition…
June 7, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
What news was reported in the month of June – 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 years ago (1968, 1918, 1868, 1818, 1768)? Such a walk back through time via the eyes of those who read the daily and weekly newspapers of the period can be quite revealing. This is why we often say, “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.” The following links will take you back in time to show the available newspapers from the Rare & Early newspapers website. There’s no need to buy a thing. Simply enjoy the stroll.
Announcing: Catalog #271 (for June, 2018) is now available…
June 1, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Rare Newspapers’ monthly offering of collectible newspapers, Catalog 271, is now available. This latest collection of authentic newspapers is comprised of nearly 350 new items. Some of the noteworthy content includes: an issue of the American Weekly Mercury (1735), a first report of George Washington’s death, Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox, Battle of Bennington (1778), Babe Ruth is sold to the Yankees, the Hindenburg explodes, and more.
To view the above key issues and a whole lot more, go to: Catalog 271
(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.)
Memorial Day… The Blue and the Gray…
May 27, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We recently discovered an original issue of The Atlantic Monthly for September, 1867, which contained the earliest nationally distributed printing (and maybe the first ever) of ‘The Blue and the Gray,” by Francis Miles Finch. Although Memorial Day had not been officially proclaimed (via General Order #11, May 5, 1868), the practice of placing flowers and wreaths on the tombstones if the fallen was somewhat common. What was uncommon was the act of a group of women in Columbus, Mississippi, which is best described in the preface to Finch’s poem (quoted from the New York Tribune):
“The women of Columbus, Mississippi, animated by nobler sentiments than are many of their sisters, have shown themselves impartial in their offerings made to the memory of the dead. They strewed flowers alike on the graves of the Confederate and of the National soldiers.”
In recognition of Memorial Day, please enjoy the full text of this grand expression of appreciation for those who have fallen in battle – be they blue or gray:
The Haggadah (during Passover) – 1st mention in a New York Times…
May 24, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
I know I’ve said it before, but I absolutely love this hobby. Today, thinking about the Damascus Blood Libel from back in the 184o, which prompted The London Times to print the details of the Jewish practice during The Passover Celebration – The Haggadah, they printed the details of the ritual (event/meal). This caused us to wonder if any other publication printed similar details. We were astounded to learn that the first time The Haggadah was mentioned in the New York Times did not occur until nearly 40 years later. The full details of this report (which includes details regarding addition Jewish celebrations (and special days) may be viewed at: NY Times – Jewish Festivals
If a reader knows of another nationally distributed newspaper which included similar details, please let us know.
The magic of old newspapers, in 1844…
May 24, 2018 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
An 1844 issue of the “Adams Sentinel” (Oct. 14th) from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has an interesting front page item concerning the fascination of reading old newspapers, noting in part: “…few preserve them…brings up the very age, with all its bustle…marks its genius & its spirit more than the most labored description of the historical…” with more (see). An interesting perspective on the value of collecting old newspapers, written 174 years ago.




