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Government in action… yet another proud moment…
September 19, 2014 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
At first blush, this issue appears to be exactly what one might expect from a Government sponsored publication. However, upon closer inspection of the lower right corner, we soon realize… this is exactly what one might expect from a government sponsored publication. Somewhere, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are smiling. Please enjoy the cover of the April, 1944 issue of the U.S. Army-Navy Journal:
The Traveler… battle by Washington D.C. … a little Harmony…
September 15, 2014 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I journey to Boston, Massachusetts, by the way of the Boston Gazette dated September 12, 1814. There I found the headline “Escape of the British down the Potomac”. “The Intelligencer of the 7th inst. states, that from several of the gallant officers, under Com. Porter, and our other naval heroes, who were stationed at the White Houses, a few miles below Mt. Vernon, on the Virginia side, we learn that a very severe 
engagement commenced between the enemies armed vessels, and the battery stationed at the formed place, about 2 o’clock on Monday evening. The battle lasted for some time, and ended in the loss of about 12 killed, and 17 wounded on our side, principally sailors. The seamen distinguished themselves by their usual intrepidity and coolness, and the militia stood their ground with much firmness… About 4 o’clock on Monday evening, the contest commenced between them and the battery under the command of Capt. Perry,… We have not yet heard how it terminated; but there is no doubt but Perry has severely mauled the enemy, and upon the whole, that the vessels have been so severely handled, that he will not hastily venture up this river again…”.
Also in the issue is a large advertisement for “The Town of Harmony with all its Improvements, and about 9000 acres of Land adjoining — on which are Three Villages, in the tenure of George Rapp and Associates is Offered for Sale…”. This town is located in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and the advertisement provides a detailed description of the town. George Rapp was born in Germany and began his own preaching – breaking away from the Lutheran Church. His group was banned from meeting, so he moved to America to be able to have religious freedom. Harmony was one of the towns that he established.
~The Traveler
Go west young woman…
September 8, 2014 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Searching for California gold rush and western expansion reports in mid-1848 through 1850 newspapers is one of the simple pleasures of the hobby. Through reading these first hand period accounts one can easily grasp the sense of adventure which drove many young and not-so-young men to strike out for the west coast. Reports focusing on the value of the gold found and on the free-spirit lifestyle of many of the mining camps would have been attractive to many who were struggling to make their way in this new land. However, while the possibility of striking it rich may have been enticing, at the end of the day, even the quest for potential wealth was a bit lacking when a long-hard day of searching for gold was not capped off with the comfort and companionship of a wife (i.e., someone who was going to clean, cook, etc.?). A couple of reports in a Sunday Times & Noah’s Weekly Messenger (New York) dated April 1, 1849 bring this truth to light. Please enjoy:
“All the News That’s Fit to Print”… one editor gets it right…
September 5, 2014 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
While the remainder of the newspaper seems to overwhelming contradict an editorial comment made by a contributor for the Southern Sentinel (Louisiana) in the issue of October 24, 1863, one can certainly appreciate his honest approach to reporting. I dare to say this could not be printed in most current-day newspapers with any degree of integrity. Please enjoy:
The Traveler… the surrender… presidential nomination…
September 1, 2014 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I journeyed to New York City by the way of The New York Times dated September 1, 1864. There I found the rebel account on the surrender of Fort Morgan, Mobile, Alabama. “The flag of truce boat returned last evening. The Yankees say Fort Morgan capitulated at 2 o’clock last Tuesday. On Monday afternoon they concentrated their fire on the fort, when the bombardment was renewed spiritedly… The fort did not fire Tuesday. Gen. Paige destroyed everything in the fort, and spiked his guns. He and the garrison, numbering 581 men, were sent to New-Orleans… The enemy have a strong force of 4,000 on the mainland at Grant’s Pass.”
Also in the issue was the coverage of the Democratic Convention being held in Chicago. “…The president then stated the question before the convention to be on ordering the previous question, (nomination a candidate for the Presidency,) and it was ordered without dissent. The vote was then taken by States… the vote stood as follows: For (Gen.) McClellan – 162, Scattering – 64… The President then announced the vote, which was received with deafening cheers, the delegates and the vast audience rising, the band playing, and the cheering lasting for several minutes… The question was then taken on making the nomination unanimous, and it was declared carried. The shout that responded was deafening…”
~The Traveler
How the West Was Won – Go East Young Man?
August 29, 2014 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
An article within a National Intelligencer from January 18, 1849 instantly expanded my perspective on the California Gold Rush of 1848-1851. Heretofore I had only viewed the rush traffic flowing in a single direction. Apparently, as revealed in the article shown below, this was limited thinking. In retrospect, I wonder how many would have wished they had stayed and purchased beach-front property? Note: The Sandwich Islands mentioned are what is now known as the Hawaiian Islands.
Dog – a man’s best friend?
August 15, 2014 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We recently came across a National Intelligencer from November 16, 1848 which had a great story depicting the incredible relationship these wonderful creatures can have with humans. While they are traditionally known as being man’s best friend, their affinity for people apparently is not restricted as such. Please enjoy:
A gem from the American Antiquarian Society…
August 11, 2014 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
In celebration of its 20oth anniversary the American Antiquarian Society published a beautiful exhibition catalog titled “In Pursuit Of A Vision – Two Centuries of Collecting at the American Antiquarian Society”. Featured are a fascinating array of books, documents, maps & other paper ephemera, as well as several very rare & unusual newspapers we felt worthy of sharing with our collectors (with permission from the A.A.S.).
172. “The Chess Monthly“, New York, February, 1859
It has been common practice when binding periodicals — whether by publishers in order to sell cumulative volumes, or by libraries and private owners for purposes of convenience and preservation — to remove the outer wrappers and advertisement leaves from individual issues, leaving only the main body of text. However, periodical wrappers and advertisement leaves often contain important material which scholars (and bibliographers) are increasingly finding vital to their research. In recent years AAS has made it a priority to collect early American periodical issues with wrappers intact, even going so far as to acquire second, wrappered copies to complement a set bound without wrappers. In many instances, wrappered copies prove to be exceptionally rare survivals.
This issue of The Chess Monthly is a good example. The journal’s editor was Daniel W. Fiske (1831-1904), then chess champion of the New York Chess Club and later Cornell University’s first librarian. For a time, American chess prodigy and unofficial world champion Paul Morphy (1837-1884) held the title of co-editor, lending the magazine his marquee name. Only on the wrappers, however, are their editorial roles mentioned. The wrappers also contain publication information not available elsewhere, an advertisement for a set of Morphy- endorsed chessmen made of cast iron and — perhaps most important of all — the answers to chess problems published in the previous issue.
The grave-site legacy of Benjamin Franklin…
August 1, 2014 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
If you have never traveled to Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, PA, it is certainly worth the trip. One of the centerpiece structures of the park is Christ Church, with its adjoining cemetery containing the remains of many of America’s Founding Fathers. Among the most noteworthy include those of Benjamin Franklin and his wife Deborah. We recently found a National Intelligencer from November 18, 1848 which speaks quite eloquently of both Franklin and the resting place of his remains: 
The Traveler… make your own island… a tribute…
July 21, 2014 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled back to Salem, Massachusetts, by the way of the Salem Gazette of July 19, 1814. There I found reporting in regards to Captain Porter and his taking possession of an island in the South Seas. The natives called it Noosheevah but he renamed it “Madison’s Island” after President Madison. He also establish Fort Madison as well.
Judge Parker provides a very nice tribute to the “Character of late Chief Justice” Samuel Sewall which he addressed at the Bar. In reading further information on the internet about Mr. Sewall, I found that his great-grandfather was a judge at the Salem witch trials!
~The Traveler