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“The Idea of a President” – Food for thought on Presidents’ Day…
February 19, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
When you hear the phrase, “The Idea of a President”, does anything come to mind?
It is no secret my wife loves Disney World. I love(ish) it to, because “a happy wife makes a happy life”, and there are few things more enjoyable than watching her delight in the escapism that is Disney World. If you’ve never been there, the combination of the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, enhanced by Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs makes for a splendid vacation. Of course, at this point some might be wondering where I stand in regard to Disney’s recent political engagement, but that very question is the reason for this post:
THE HALL OF PRESIDENTS
Nestled in the middle of The Magic Kingdom is a colonial-style building which houses The Hall of Presidents. Walt Disney was a huge fan of Abraham Lincoln in particular, and of the American concept of a “President” in general. Without going into detail about the presentation itself, simply said, I can’t recommend it enough. Thanks to my wife I have had the opportunity to view the program during multiple administrations over the past (many) decades, and I have never failed to walk away with a greater appreciation for the one in office – not due to my alignment with their politics or their wisdom-buoyed leadership, but because of the office itself and the weight of responsibility which those who hold the office inherit. It truly is a fantastic presentation!
I was recently reminded of this point when I came across an issue of The New York Times dated March 16, 1976 which included an inside article headed: “Disney’s Hall of Presidents Not ’76 Politics”. As I read through the article and viewed the corresponding photos my appreciation for “the presidency” itself was lifted, and I was encouraged, at least for a day, to set aside my political arrows and thank God for all those who have, are, and will serve, 1st-hand, “The Idea of a President”.
May HE give them the wisdom to honor the position, as I honor them. Happy Presidents’ Day!
Valentine’s Day – So Many Entertainment Choices…
February 12, 2024 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
Starting the end of the 1st week in January stores everywhere begin to take on a pink hue, and raspberry chocolates become the norm in every candy aisle. These changes are a reminder to start planning for mid-February. Attitudes towards Valentine’s Day vary widely, and both sides of the spectrum have legitimate arguments. After 30+ years, Guy and I have decided that going out on Valentine’s Day isn’t a great option for us as we always experience subpar food at a highly elevated price. So, we have begun to choose to have a “date night” at home. With this in mind I was thinking through some older rom-coms to set the mood. Obvious choices came to mind such as “While You Were Sleeping” – along with a few more obscure picks like “Dan in Real Life”, which, if you have not seen this movie, is the perfect combo of family, love and humor. Don’t miss it. And then there are movies which are perfect for both romance and whole family viewing such as “Beauty and the Beast”, the animated version. As you ponder your plans for Valentine’s Day, just remember, you can’t go wrong with a great movie, popcorn and a good bottle of wine (or sparkling cider), so, start planning now and have a delightful Valentine’s Day.
This Day in “News” History… January 26th…
January 26, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Another day of news as reported in original newspapers… January 26th…
There are many internet sources available to explore what happened on a particular day in history. However, as collectors and resellers of “Rare & Early Newspapers”, our curiosity lies in what people were reading in their morning newspaper on specific days in history. In nearly every instance they were discovering what happened the day prior – and if one reaches back into the 1600s, 1700’s, and early 1800s, when news travelled a bit more slowly, they very well could have been (finally) reading about “rumored” and/or anticipated events from days, weeks, or even months prior.
Today’s adventure?
What about January 26th? The following link will take you to all of our available newspapers dated January 26th:
NEWS REPORTED in NEWSPAPERS on January 26th (through time)
Enjoy the trek. Oh, and if you want to try other dates, go here and plug in any month/day of interest.
Bring Back the Old Names… Sports Stadiums Losing Their Charm…
January 15, 2024 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
Guaranteed Rate Field, M&T Stadium, Oracle Park… do any of these names ring a bell for you? Perhaps if they are housing “your team” they seem familiar however, for the rest of us (or maybe just me) they seem boring and generic.
Let’s try again with their classic names… Cominskey Park, Camden Yards, Candlestick. Ahhh, now that feels right. The other day I was talking with some friends and mourning the loss of the classic names for sports stadiums. As I am sure you are aware, these days the name is offered to the highest bidder. How long, we wondered, till Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park are no more? Thankfully, we have record of these gems in Newspapers: THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 14, 1920 … The top of page 13 has a column headed: “Terms Agreed Upon For Yankees’ Park”
Once again, history is preserved in newspapers of the day. Ok, so it may not be as critical to humanity as the founding of our nation but, to a baseball fan, it is still pretty sweet!
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in 1923…
December 24, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Just in from Bethlehem…
Merry Christmas from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,
compliments of The Globe, December 24, 1923!
(view previous Christmas-themed posts)
Happy Thanksgiving, 2023…
November 17, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Each year as Thanksgiving approaches my thoughts (rightfully) bend a knee in the direction of gratitude which I try to express, for better or worse, in a simple post. In so-doing, while the feedback has been generally positive, on occasion I have been accused of being rather verbose, loquacious, over-talkative, etc., when what I tried to communicate could have been delivered with a higher degree of eloquence with considerably less long-windedness (i.e., I can be a bit wordy). In an effort to reign in this default behavior, in expressing this year’s thoughts I’ve elected to let a series of photos taken from a single issue of Harper’s Weekly from 1900 do the talking. I hope you find them thought-provoking. 
Happy Thanksgiving!
By the way, if pictures really do say a thousand words, success! My verbose, loquacious, over-talkative streak lives on!!!
Capturing the Vibe – January 3, 1938…
November 6, 2023 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
A new year and a new edition of “Capturing the Vibe” where we try to imagine what the world felt like to a newspaper reader from the past by immersing ourselves in their … “vibe of the day”… perhaps with a cup of coffee in hand on a snowy day where you are.
So, on we go with this month’s issue…
January 3, 1938… the start of a new year… Roosevelt gives a message to Congress.
A Map Shows the “Black Plague of the Twentieth Century” which was defined as a WORLD-WIDE TREND OF GOVERNMANTAL DOMINATION OR LIBERTIES
On a more frivolous note … 35 long-wed couples make merry at party with dinner and dancing.
Nelson Eddy/Elanor Powell & Tyron Power/ Alice Fay had movies premier.
Coverage of The Sugar Bowl.
And last but by no means least … a Genuine RCA Victor Electric Tuning Radio was only $89.95!
Announcing: Catalog #336 for November, 2023 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
November 3, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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CATALOG #336
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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.]
If they would only have built it sooner… (Shoeless) Joe Jackson…
October 27, 2023 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Even if you are not a fan of baseball, in case you haven’t done so already, the movie “Field of Dreams” is winner. The themes of perseverance, worthwhile priorities, and personal sacrifice are masterfully woven together to create one of the more inspiring movies of the 1980-1990’s. Steering clear of spoilers for those who have yet to see it, I’ll just restate that which is already included in the movie’s trailer: “If you build it, they will come!” Without being overly sappy… honestly, you really need to see it.
So, how does this relate to Rare & Early Newspapers? A few days ago one of our staff found an article from 1913 featuring one of the three main characters – “Shoeless” Joe Jackson (of Black Sox scandal fame), who was given a “2nd chance” at playing baseball – the assumption being he would have jumped at the chance to reengage at the professional level had he been given the opportunity to do so. Without saying more, I’ll let the heading and the 1st few paragraphs of the article do the talking (see below). Oh, and for the record, post-baseball, Joe and his wife (who were a team of their own until his death) eventually moved on from baseball, opened a BBQ restaurant, then “Joe Jackson’s Liquor Store”, and along the way co-raised two of his nephews. For better or worse, even if someone would have built it, I’m not sure he really would have come.
I hope you enjoy a portion of the article:
Dramatic Headlines Speak for Themselves… Senator Robert Kennedy near death…
October 23, 2023 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 6, 1968, which had a pre-death report on the assassination of Senator Bobby Kennedy:
“KENNEDY PARALYZED AND NEAR DEATH“