History's Newsstand Blog » From Passion to Legacy: 50 Years Strong… and Counting…

The following, penned by the founder of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers, appeared on the front page of our most recent catalog (#361):

It was 50 years ago this month that the Rare & Early Newspapers business began.

Having been a collector of many things in my earliest of years, primarily coins, venturing into this fascinating world of old newspapers was a logical step. I never really saw a truly old newspaper until I stumbled across an 1826 Philadelphia newspaper at a local flea market, I was convinced I had discovered an unexploited hobby. So my new adventure began.

Although I started collecting somewhat earlier, I sold my first newspaper on December 1, 1975. I used a manual typewriter to list various newspapers on a legal-size sheet of paper, then making photocopies at a local college to print multiple sheets. When an issue or two sold, I typed up replacements and taped the listings over those that sold, then made more photocopies.

How to advertise in the pre-internet era? I would place small, classified ads in various history & collector-themed magazines. As for research, I kept a set of encyclopedias next to my desk.

Eventually, the single sheets of offerings turned into small catalogs. The first formal catalog was issued in the spring of 1978 and wasn’t even numbered, as I wasn’t sure there would be another.

This catalog you have in your hands is number 361. My ad mentioned “…send 25¢…” for the catalog, which more than covered the cost of postage. Imagine that!

It was always my goal to continue to offer more issues, earlier issues, and more historic offerings with each passing month. I’ve been pleased with our progress, and for those who have been with us for many years, hopefully you’ve noticed the dramatic growth in the range of our inventory. It was my hope that collectors would look forward to each catalog, anxious to discover new “goodies” we’ve not offered before.

I became semi-retired some 23 years ago with Guy Heilenman taking over, but I remain actively involved, primarily with buying inventory. My wife and I moved West to be close to family, but I get back to Williamsport for “hands-on” work about six weeks a year.

There will be no end to this business. We remain the only full-time dealers in early newspapers in the world. At some point another generation will take over, and our inventory and offerings will, hopefully, continue to expand. I hope to remain involved for as long as God allows.

Thank you all for 50 years of fun!

Tim Hughes

As I reflect on all that has unfolded since Tim first placed those typewritten listings on a photocopied page, I am deeply grateful for the foundation he built — one rooted not just in curiosity and perseverance, but in faith, integrity, and a desire to honor God through honest work. What began as one man’s fascination with the past has become a legacy business that has served thousands of collectors, connected generations through the printed word, and provided meaningful work for more than twenty dedicated team members — including Tim’s younger brother (Brian), my wife (Laura), and all six of our children. Tim’s vision and steadfast commitment to excellence continue to shape every part of who we are as a company.

Furthermore, I’m thankful Tim remains actively involved today, still sharing his wisdom and passion with us. Lord willing, when both of our times have passed, my children — and/or perhaps even my children’s children — will carry the torch forward, preserving not only the newspapers of history, but the faith, integrity, and purpose that have guided this work from the very beginning. May the legacy Tim began continue to remind us that while newspapers record history, it’s the lives behind them that make it truly worth remembering. After all, as Tim said back in 1975: “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported” – that is, through the eyes of those who lived it. Thanks Tim.

Guy Heilenman