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One that didn’t get away: a golden nugget discovered within an 1884 newspaper…
August 11, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Over the years we have emphasized one of the pleasures that is relatively unique to the hobby of collecting rare and early newspapers; that is, discovering hidden gems within their pages. These “finds” are most-often unearthed by those who call to tell us what we missed, and their stories rarely disappoint. In some cases the golden nuggets may significantly impact the collectible value of the issue – such as finding a period mention of Abraham Lincoln prior to him entering the national stage buried deep within a newspaper, or, thanks to the advanced search capabilities now available through the internet, learning that an unsigned letter in an issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine out of London was actually written by Ben Franklin. However, in other instances the value gained is personal.
Such was the case with the January 1, 1884 issue of The Prattsburgh Breeze (NY) – and thankfully, it was discovered while we still had the issue in hand. We already knew it was the 1st issue (vol. 1, #1) of this extremely rare title, and it was listed as such. However, when someone from a (ok, “an”) historical society contacted us to ask if there was a mention of a the neighboring town, as we carefully read through the pages, we discovered the following:
While this may not seem significant to most, it delighted my wife who is an avid fan of all things Joel Chandler Harris in general, and Uncle Remus in particular. If you are unfamiliar with either Mr. Harris or the beloved Uncle Remus, a deep dive into this tandem will be well-rewarded.
Since the saying ‘Happy wife, happy life’ is emphatically true—and since this discovery just upgraded my wife’s happiness—once again, I am compelled to proclaim: ‘I love this hobby!’.
What are the chances? John Sutter… Yet another golden nugget!
March 7, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Finding a newspaper with a report on the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill is not an easy task. Many newspapers either “didn’t get the news”, decided it wasn’t worth the print space, or delayed reporting it so as to be sure it wasn’t fake news. However, when found, the newspaper containing new of the discovery is quite collectible. Considering the near infinite possibilities where gold might have been found, what are the chances a report from this remote, almost random location would have been printed on the opposite side of the country, Washington, D.C., approximately 4 years prior? If odds-makers were taking bets, my hunch is that there wouldn’t have been any takers. However, against all odds, the article, albeit unrelated to the discovery of gold, was printed in the National Intelligencer dated June 25, 1844. Speaking of “discoveries”, we were quite pleased to find the report (which is shown below). Fun!
Another Golden Nugget found within an Old Newspaper… Edmund Halley
May 24, 2024 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
A collector (L.G., from Vermont) recently contacted us to mention he had found a “Golden Nugget” within one of our listings. Finding hidden gems while perusing a newspaper is not too uncommon (it’s one of the pleasures of the collectible), however, doing so while viewing merely select images on our website is another thing altogether. Making this “find” even more impressive is that it was barely visible at the bottom of a photo showing something else. SO, what was “the find”? An advertisement for the notable “Planisphaerium Coeleste (double hemisphere celestial chart)” which had been “reviewed and corrected” by the 23-year-old astronomer, Edmund Halley. He would later become famous for discovering that a series of comet sightings which reached as far back as 240 BC were actually of the same comet – now called Halley’s Comet (1P/Halley). From a collector’s standpoint, it’s nice to see his name in print long before his famous “find”.
For the record, the mention was found in The London Gazette for April 10, 1679 – a listing which has now been updated to reflect the new content. The original photo observed by L.G. can still be found through the provided link.
Please know we are always pleased when collectors let us know of such discoveries – even if the find means we missed something which would have made the newspaper significantly more valuable.
Golden Nuggets… the “hits” just keep on coming…
June 29, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
At Rare & Early Newspapers we always enjoy hearing about the various “finds” that permeate the collectible. While most significant content is know before one purchases an issue to add to their collection, due to the nature of the hobby, golden nuggets cannot help but be buried, yet 
undiscovered, deep within the pages of a newspaper. In some instances, the discoveries are quite significant – that is, significant to all having a general knowledge of history. In other cases, the find might be a little more subtle – yet still worthy of bringing to light.
The following account was sent to us not too long ago. Feel free to send along your own stories as well (send to guy@rarenewspapers.com).
Hi, I just wanted to let you know the papers arrived in great shape as usual but what was really great was once I went through them were the other stories I found.
In the May 8, 1930 New York Times on page 11 there was a story about how a newspaper in Havana, Cuba was fearing Al Capone was about to move there they feared he would turn it into “a second Chicago.”
In the inner pages of the Dec. 27, 1941 L.A. Times there was a story about five Iowa brothers joining the Navy and will serve together. This is an article about the Sullivan brothers who were later killed inaction in the Pacific and the Hollywood movie The Fighting Sullivans was made about them.
This is why I love collecting newspapers it’s not only about the main story you might have kept the paper for but the inner page stories you might have not paid attention to at first.
Thanks C.H. for sharing your story with the Rare & Early Newspapers’ Family.
Golden Nuggets… yet another “find”…
May 25, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
At Rare & Early Newspapers we always enjoy hearing about the various “finds” that permeate the collectible. While most significant content is know before one purchases an issue to add to their collection, due to the nature of the hobby, golden nuggets cannot help but be buried, yet undiscovered, deep within the pages of a newspaper. In some instances, the discoveries are quite significant – that is, significant to all having a general knowledge of history. In other cases, the find might be a little more subtle – yet still worthy of bringing to light.
The following account was sent to us a few weeks back. Feel free to send along your own stories as well (send to guy@rarenewspapers.com).
You mentioned you like to hear about “finds”, in a group of 100 cheap
newspapers I bought from you folks probably many years ago I found a find. I have started to place my collection into all the same mylar holders and cataloging it into my computer one by one. [It was during this time] I came across a New York Tribune from August 12th, 1865 that was included in one of those $199 for 100 newspaper lots I purchased from you. The front page has a couple of interesting articles like the “Annexation” of Canada, which led up to their confederation in 1867. The most interesting was the hours old accounts of the Steamship Pewabic which collided with the Steamship Meteor on Lake Huron. As I recall I think it was either a National Geographic or Discovery channel show. When they discovered the ship that sank in 1865 it was perfectly preserved even the woodwork with the cold non salt waters of the Great Lakes.
It would have been better in a Detroit paper, but for $2, I certainly will not complain. I have probably purchased over a thousand newspapers and it took me this long to discover a neat find – maybe not great, but I am pleased. I probably purchased this lot in the mid to late 1990’s. Looking at your website, especially the warehouse photos, there is just too much material to read everything even with a good size staff.
Thanks T.C. for sharing your story with the Rare & Early Newspapers’ Family.
Golden Nugget Contest – 1st place winner…
November 12, 2008 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
We (Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers) recently released the winners of our 1st History’s Newsstand Blog contest – finding unexpected gems within newspapers – a pleasure not often found in other collectibles. As a follow-up, we’d like to provide the rare newspapers community with the first place entry along with images (provided post-selection by the winner):
“A couple of years ago, a batch of newspapers from Deadwood, Dakota Territory came on the auction block. “The Black Hills Pioneer” I knew to be an extremely rare and desirable title from an iconic Old West location. This newspaper, I believe, was the earliest paper published in Deadwood, first published in 1876. The issue I really wanted had a report on the killing of Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood, but that went for several thousand dollars. I felt quite lucky when I was able to purchase what I thought was just an
atmosphere issue with nothing too newsworthy for just over $200, dated March 3, 1877. When I looked inside the newspaper, I was surprised to find a headline “Execution of Jack McCall” along with a short article reporting the execution in Yankton, Dakota of the murderer of Wild Bill. A later report of the execution in the same newspaper had just been auctioned for over $700. Nice bargain for me…” submitted by Alan Pollack
Golden Nugget Contest Winners… Thank You!
November 7, 2008 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Two weeks ago Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers… …History’s Newsstand ran a contest asking contributors to share their story of a time when they had purchased a newspaper (for one reason or another) only to discover upon reading the issue that it 
also contained key historic or highly interesting content that they did not know was present when they initially obtained the issue. Many responded with their tales of discovery, and one of the hidden joys of the collectible was made known to all. Thanks to everyone who participated. Your participation made for great reading and certainly added to the community at large.
Never did I imagine selecting the three top “winners” would be so difficult. All of the tales were fascinating, making the decision nearly impossible. However, without explanation other than to say the decision process was based more on a gut feeling as opposed to any sort of highly defined selection process, the winners are:
Third Place (three-way tie) ~ $25 Rare Newspapers Gift Certificate: Joe Rainone & Andrew Robinson, for the shear quantity of contributions with interesting content – any of which easily could argue a higher placement, and Paul Sarna, for finding an article written by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy (with a picture of the youthful future President), in a May 7, 1945 (historic) Boston newspaper
Second Place ~ $50 Rare Newspapers Gift Certificate: David Sounik, for finding the printing of the Northwest Ordinance in a nondescript period newspaper.
First Place ~ $100 Rare Newspapers Gift Certificate: Alan Pollack, for finding the execution of Jack McCall (murderer of Wild Bill Hickok) in a n extremely rare old west title “The Black Hills Pioneer”. Wow!
As a thank you to all those who participated, and acknowledging that the most “beautiful” story is likely to be found in the eye of the beholder, all participants will also be receiving a 10% discount coupon for use on a future purchase (some restrictions apply). All discount coupons and certificates will be mailed on Tuesday, November 11th. To view all entries, please go to: Contest – Share your best “golden nugget discovery” with the world!
Golden Nugget Discovery Contest…
November 1, 2008 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The Golden Nugget Discovery Contest winners will be selected and posted by Friday, November 7th. In the meantime you can view the entries at: Golden Nugget Contest
Good luck to the participants!
Contest – Share your best “golden nugget discovery” story with the world!
October 16, 2008 by GuyHeilenman · 33 Comments
What do gold prospectors, pirates, treasure hunters, archeologists, and rare newspaper collectors have in common? They all share the thrill of the hunt and the reward of discovery.
When it comes to rare newspapers, finding the unexpected, in contrast to other collectibles, is often a good thing… and at times can even be quite valuable. Since the inception of the History’s Newsstand Blog, a number of posts have focused on this intrinsic pleasure of the hobby, and several readers have responded with “discoveries” of their own. In an effort to communicate this joy to the world, we would like to invite our readers to share their stories – for fun and for potential reward!
From now until Sunday, October 31st, you will have the opportunity to share your story (or stories) of a time when you purchased a newspaper (for one reason or another) only to discover upon reading the issue that it also contained key, historic, or highly interesting content that you did not know was present when you initially obtained the issue. The staff at Rare Newspapers will select a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place story by Friday, 11/7 (perhaps sooner), and announce the winners via the blog and through a personal e-mail contact. The winners will have their stories recognized on the blog, will receive Rare Newspapers gift certificates worth $100 (1st place), $50 (2nd place), and $25 (3rd place), and will have the satisfaction of knowing they contributed to the enhancement of the rare newspapers collectible community. If you have more than one story to share, enter them as separate comments to this post. Please include the title and date of the issue along with your story of discovery.
Don’t delay. Share your story with the world!
October Newsletter (2025) – Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers…
October 17, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
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