Search
The Rare & Early Newspapers Hobby
Receive the Newsletter
Buy Historic Newspapers
The Traveler… the monolopy is ended… hoping for better sailing ahead…
December 17, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to San Francisco, California, by way of The Call dated December 17, 1912. There I found that the Federal Supreme Court had ruled to destroy the monopoly that was created by six railroad owned coal companies in the Pennsylvania anthracite fields which had purchased the output for all time of “independent” mines. They were shown to be in “undisputed control”. This was the first time the Supreme Court successfully used the “Essential Facility Doctrine”, and resulted in significant restraint on monopolies.
The sports page had boxer Frank Moran preparing for upcoming matches, against Gunboat Smith, Luther McCarty and Al Palzer. Frank Moran retired ten years later after 66 bouts and then entered the career of acting in which he played many roles of gangsters, bartenders, guards, cops, bouncers, etc.. He retired from that in 1957 at the age of 70 and died ten years later from a heart attack.
Did you ever read a novel about all the mysterious and unusual murders on a ship at sea? This issue has a report of “Death Stalks On The Korea’s Trip” which would read right out of a novel. This would be one cruise that this traveler would not wish to participate in! Check it out!! (see report)
~The Traveler
Alister & Paine Magazine visits Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
December 10, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
A few weeks ago the staff of Alister & Paine Magazine came to South Williamsport, PA to visit our historic newspapers archives and to interview Tim for the purpose of introducing their readership to the world of Rare & Early Newspapers. It was fun getting to know such well-traveled individuals – introducing them to the hobby and hearing of their varied experiences. Sharing the love for collecting historic newspapers is always a pleasure… and based upon their reactions, “History continues to never be more fascinating than when read from the day it was first reported. The feature story may be viewed at:
Alister & Paine Magazine
Thanks Jenna, Brian, and Kaitlin
Thanksgiving Proclamations… a survey through American History…
November 21, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
This Thanksgiving, why not take the family on a historically “Pinteresting”walk through a survey of Thanksgiving Proclamations made at key moments in American History?
http://pinterest.com/rarenewspapers/thanksgiving-proclamations/
Happy Thanksgiving!
A visit to Jim Thorpe (Mauch Chunk), PA…
November 16, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting a relatively unknown town steeped in history. Upon our return to the Rare & Early Newspapers office/archives, I spent some time exploring one aspect of the town’s history (The Molly Maguires) through the eyes of contemporary newspapers. A sampling of what was discovered both on the excursion and upon our return has been posted through images on Pinterest. Please enjoy:
Jim Thorpe & The Molly Maguires
Additional posts regarding Jim Thorpe himself, the town’s name since shortly after his death in 1953, may be viewed at: Jim Thorpe… “the greatest athlete that ever lived.”
Communication… My how far we’ve come…
November 12, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When it comes to collecting historic newspapers related to progress in the area of communication, collectors (rightfully so) typically focus on the telegraph, Morse code, the Pony Express, the typewriter, and the telephone. However, we recently came across a newspaper from New York which may rival some of the most collectible issues in the area of communication development – the report of the first successful use of a cell phone. At the time this historic event was only deemed worthy of a page 57 report, and most newspapers never reported it. As a result, this may end up being one of the most difficult reports to find… and collect. Once again we are reminded of one of the greatest joys of the hobby – uncovering hidden gems… instantly transforming what was once an average newspaper into a noteworthy collectible. Please enjoy the report on our website at New York Times, April 4, 1973 or on eBay at Historic Cell Phone Call – Motorola DynaTAC:
Why I Still Read Newspapers… part 3 of 3… perhaps with more forthcoming???
November 9, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A staff member at Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers recently received a set of newspaper headlines which are worth pondering. We’ve decided to split them up over a few posts… this being the final of the initial set – with perhaps more to come??? If you know of others – appropriateness is a must 🙂 – please send them on (e-mail to guy@rarenewspapers.com) and we will consider adding them to a future post. If you would like to receive credit, please include your name. Please enjoy:
The Traveler… Presidential election day 1912… the first in New Mexico…
November 5, 2012 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
In today’s journey through the Albuquerque Morning Journal dated November 5, 1912, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, I found that it was the day of the Presidential elections with the three candidates, Democratic Woodrow Wilson, Republican William Taft and Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, campaigning to the last minute. This issue contains different articles pertaining to the election.
Also within the issue is an article: “New Mexicans To Cast First Vote For President”… “With Closing of Polls Tonight Residents of State Will Have participate In All Duties of Citizenship”. This election would be the very first presidential election for the residents of New Mexico to participate in as they had entered as the forty-seventh state on January 6, 1912. Great to have this report within a newspaper from New Mexico.
Just a reminder that as a free nation, our presidential election is Tuesday, November 6th. Please exercise your valuable gift of freedom and cast your vote… 🙂
~The Traveler
Why I Still Read Newspapers… part 2 (of 3)
November 3, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A staff member at Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers recently received a set of newspaper headlines which are worth pondering. We’ve decided to split them up over a few posts… this being the 2nd of three. If you know of others – appropriateness is a must 🙂 – please send them on (e-mail to guy@rarenewspapers.com) and we will consider adding them to a future post. If you would like to receive credit, please include your name. Please enjoy:
Beyond the historic headline…
November 1, 2012 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
“Newspapers that shaped the world…“
Some of the better & more fascinating items found in old newspapers are not the most historic or significant, but rather the casual appearance of seemingly innocuous reports which excite collecting interest beyond the historic headline or dramatic presentation which are the more usual draw.
Much of what intrigues collectors can be lost within the body of reports, yet they tell a story of their own, such as the patriotic fervor of some colonist during the Revolutionary War. I recall an issue of the Edinburgh Evening Courant of June, 1776 reporting on American soldiers: “…Their uniform is a dark grey coarse linen frock, which covers the whole body…with the words, ‘Death or Liberty’ marked in large red letters on the right sleeve; and many of them are so enthusiastic as to have them marked with their own blood…”. This report is almost lost on page 3 yet its message is very telling of the spirit which caused the Americans to win the war against a world power despite insurmountable odds.
Some reports are fascinating by their bias. A Richmond newspaper of July, 1863 reporting on the Battle of Gettysburg notes: “…The Confederates did not gain a victory, neither did the enemy. He succeeded in defending himself & we failed in some portions of an attack…We killed more of the enemy than we lost; we took very many more prisoners than lost. The Confederate army did not leave the enemy until it had tried every link of his armour…” Another newspaper notes: “ ..Information, certainly authentic, is in the hands of the Government, which leaves no doubt of the safety & triumph of the noble army. General Lee was victorious in all the combats which have taken place. He has been engaged with the whole force of the United States & has broken its backbone…”, Perhaps the most extraordinary example of optimism appeared in the Richmond Examiner of July 25: “…The result was not a defeat, it was not a loss; it was only not a victory…It was little else than a disappointment of extraordinary expectations…”. What a precious statement as an example of Confederate optimism.
Other little gems were very prophetic in their reporting, particularly when read with an historic perspective. A Scottish newspaper from 1775 sensed a lasting war with America as it reflected on the Battle of Bunker: “…The mischiefs which have already arisen & the greater calamities which are threatened from the unnatural war excited in America…It is impossible we can see, without the utmost alarm, preparations making for the prosecution of an expensive & ruinous war with our own Colonies…”. Some can be very recent, like the New York Times comment on rookie Mickey Mantle in 1951: “…Mantle, who gives every promise of developing into an outstanding baseball star, was ordered to report to his draft board next Wednesday…” An editorial comment in the Army & Navy Journal just after the Gettysburg Address opined: “…a dedicatory speech by President Lincoln, which we give in full, as decidedly the best feature of the occasion, as well as one of the most felicitous utterances of its author.” How true.
Some were prophetic even when the reports were simply wrong, like the Illustrated American article of 1898 reporting on “A New Flying Machine That Flies”–five years before the Wright brothers–when it said: “…It is impossible to imagine without terror the day when these mechanical birds, these flying apparitions, will be able to rain upon armies, hostile towns and escalating parties most deadly and most destructive explosives…”. How true it would become.
There can be much to be found in newspapers beyond the headline. What a thrill it is to discover such hidden gems; reports that have escaped hundreds of years of history only to rediscovered with new-found relevance today. Such are just some of the joys of collecting early newspapers.
Please enjoy: “Newspapers that shaped the world…“
Why I Still Read Newspapers… part 1 (of 3)
October 26, 2012 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A staff member at Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers recently received a set of newspaper headlines which are worth pondering. We’ve decided to split them up over a few posts. If you know of others – appropriateness is a must 🙂 – please send them on (e-mail to guy@rarenewspapers.com) and we will consider adding them to a future post. If you would like to receive credit, please include your name. Please enjoy: