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Blockbuster Movie Ads at Their Best – Overview – Part II
August 29, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
It has been nearly a month since we posted: Blockbuster Movie Ads – Overview – Part 1
We had so much fun creating and sharing the video one of our staff thought it would be nice to offer a sequel. These authentic ads for the premiers of blockbuster movies stir memories of what we now view as simpler days. The fact that they come from a Los Angles newspaper – the home of Hollywood, make them even more desirable. This 2nd installment may be viewed at
Ads for the Premiers of Blockbuster Movies – Part II (view on YouTube or Facebook)
As mentioned previously, we add new listings on nearly a weekly basis. However, if you have a favorite movie for which you would like to see an ad from the week of its release, and cannot find it through the link, just send me a note (guy@rarenewspapers.com).
In the meantime, our active listings are found at: Blockbuster Movie Ads
The course makes all the difference… Ronald Reagan’s 2nd Inaugural Address…
August 19, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
A boat ride… what could be more relaxing? I suppose the answer would depend on whether you were a passenger on a fishing excursion off the coast of Florida or aboard the Titanic. The bottom line? The answer hinges on the course you’re on.
On January 22, 1985, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES had front page coverage of President Ronald Reagan’s 2nd Inauguration with the title “President Vows to Stay on Course in 2nd Term “. Now there’s a line completely dependent on the course taken over his previous 4 years! Where had he steered us so far? Based on the answer, where did we think he would take us now? What “course” had he charted for our country? Interestingly enough, in smaller print (but still on the front page) came some reassurance: “Dow Soars 34; Investors Mood Seem Stronger”. Those in the “know” seem to think we were on a good trajectory… so (sigh of relief), let the Gala begin!!!
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” – Historic Baseball Coverage…
August 12, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the popular subsets of the Rare & Early Newspapers hobby is the collecting of historic baseball reports (as well as detailed coverage of favorite teams and players from the past). As of the writing of this post, more than 1,000 such issues were available for browsing and/or collecting at:
Baseball Reports and Headlines
One of our staff recently gathered a few issues together and created a one-minute video which we hope you will enjoy:
Blockbuster Movie Ads at Their Best – Overview – Part I
August 1, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago we posted “Blockbuster Movie Ads at Their Best – “Top Gun Maverick”. While preparing the post we wondered whether or not it might not be fun to provide a bit of background regarding these issues.
Back in 1994 we had the opportunity (through a third party) to add the personal holdings of The Los Angeles Times to our inventory – issues which had never been in circulation. The thought of taking in a substantial set of newspapers which would serve our West Coast clients seeking regional “birthday newspapers” while providing all collectors with coverage of major events from a “big city” newspaper seemed like a good idea.
So, Tim Hughes, my 12-year-old daughter (Eve), and I packed our bags and headed to Burbank. After 5 days of 90-100 degree heat, thousands of flights of steps, hours upon hours of listening to Toby Mac, and more dust and sweat than any of us had ever experienced, three tractor trailers were finally loaded and enroute to South Williamsport, PA. Tired? Yes. Pleased? As one can be when utterly exhausted. Proud of my daughter’s perseverance? You bet! Yet, the best was yet to come.
As is often the case in the newspaper collecting hobby, unbeknownst to us were gems buried deep within: Calendar Sections containing full-page and/or double-page ads for the premiers of many of the blockbuster movies we adore. We couldn’t believe it. Actual poster-sized ads for premiers of blockbuster films of the past printed in authentic Los Angeles newspapers… When it comes to such ads, it just doesn’t get any better!
Our listings typically include the following: “There is perhaps no better issue to be found for these premier ads, the L.A. Times being the leading newspaper from the home of the entertainment industry – the Hollywood area’s prime publication. Where else might one find authentic, poster-size ads for Opening Day showings, in the most desirable Hollywood-area newspaper? In over 40 years of collecting, we have yet to see such unique & dramatic coverage with truly top-shelf, eye-catching displayability.”
One of our staff recently create a video to highlight a few:
We add new listings on nearly a weekly basis, but if you have a favorite movie for which you would like to see and ad from the week of its release, just send me a note (guy@rarenewspapers.com).
In the meantime, our active listings are found at: Blockbuster Movie Ads
Announcing: Catalog #321 (for August, 2022) – Rare & Early Newspapers for collectors…
July 29, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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August’s catalog (#321) is now available. Also shown below are links to a video featuring highlights from the catalog, our currently discounted newspapers, and recent posts to the History’s Newsstand Blog. Please enjoy.
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[The links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days
upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.]
Summer Blockbuster Movie Ads at Their Best – “Top Gun: Maverick” Edition…
July 15, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
“It’s okay, but as usual, it’s not as good as the original“, is a commonly heard phrase among movie goers. Sequels are rarely as good as their predecessors, and most certainly never better … or so we thought. On May 9, 1986, the Los Angeles Times had a full-page ad for the soon to be released movie, Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise. One can only guess if the paper realized what an iconic movie they were promoting the week before it’s premier. Flash forward approximately a quarter of a century to the summer of 2022 when Tom Cruise reprised his roll as Maverik and once again rocked theater box offices for weeks. Perhaps, “not as good as the original” has finally been put to rest.
Fact is More Fascinating than Fiction… at Spindletop…
July 11, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
“Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed;
A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed,
Then one day he was shootin at some food,
And up through the ground came a bubblin crude.
Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea.”
I can’t be the only one who grew up watching the Beverly Hillbillies, and for those of you who did, now that it has taken root, I dare you to get that tune out of your head.
This rags-to-riches story may have been a bit outlandish, however, on a chilly day in January of 1901, in the town of Beaumont, Texas, a real-life Jed Clampit was born. Unlike the shotgun produced trickle from the TV show, this one was a gusher. Thankfully, after 8 days of the uncontrolled spew of oil, what we now know as Spindletop would finally be capped and America was off and running as a major oil producer. Along the way we have hit a few bumps in the road, however, “… the Capacity of It Is the Greatest in the World”, can still be used to describe the current state of America’s oil producing potential.
Collateral Damage – Yosemite Valley’s Little Sister…
July 8, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the many joys inspired by collecting (and reading) old/historic newspapers is the knowledge gained by investigating/exploring decades and even centuries old articles about things which were noteworthy in their day but are unbeknownst to the average reader of today. Such is the case with an article I recently found within the November 25, 1882 issue of The Washington World (D.C.).
The worst non-weather-related tragedy in the history of the United States remains the San Fransico Earthquake/Fire of 1906. The devastation was unimaginable – over 3,000 people perished and greater than 80% of San Fransico was destroyed. The direct and collateral impact are still felt to this day. One such case of the latter is the ongoing battle over Yosemite Valley’s little sister.
Positioned slightly to the north of Yosemite National Park is the Hetch Hetchy Valley. While not as expansive, and with somewhat less than Ansel-Adams-esque views, its beauty was breathtaking – the operating word being “was”. If one were to view the valley today, heartbreaking would be the more accurate description. Instead of the serene beauty that touched the souls of John Muir, Willaim Keith, Albert Bierstadt, and a host of others, today one would see a nearly empty mud-hole resulting from a nearly dry reservoir. Yuck!
But why a reservoir? In response to the 1906 earthquake and resulting fire, the need for a better water-source for the San Fransico Bay region was obvious. After years of battling with the Sierra Club and likeminded naturalists, in 1913 a Congress passed legislation naming the Tuolumne River as “the solution” and authorized a dam to be built in order to create a reservoir for the needed water-supply. In 1923 the O’Shaughnessy Dam was completed and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir was born. While there continue to be calls to remove the dam, the collateral damage has been done, and reclaiming that which has long-since been washed away by decades of emersion seems highly unlikely if not impossible.
Announcing: Catalog #320 (for July, 2022) – Rare & Early Newspapers (for purchase)…
July 1, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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[The links above will redirect to the latest catalog in approx. 30 days
upon which time it will update to the most recent catalog.]
One small step backward for humanity(?)… One giant leap forward for A.I.!
June 20, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Dystopian movies featuring A.I. as the antagonist abound. The thought of a world in which a soulless “entity” is in the lead role with humanity at its behest is terrifying. How will the relationship between A.I. and humans play out over time is anyone’s guess, but with all the benefits artificial intelligence brings to the table, I feel a little like “a moth to a flame”, and it bugs me.
Why the angst? We recently came across a Los Angeles Times dated May 12, 1997, which had coverage of the historic(?) chess match between Gary Kasparov, the reigning world champion at the time, and “Deep Blue”, an IBM supercomputer. The strings of o’s and 1’s ruled the day, defeating Kasparov in the deciding game in 19 moves. I wonder if many moons from now, when/if A.I. decides to write its own developmental timeline, if this achievement will be listed as one of significance?
Note: In case anyone is wondering, upon its victory, “Deep Blue” was NOT crowned the new World Champion of Chess.