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Who’s Who in Newspapers? Mordecai Manuel Noah…
November 27, 2017 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton… Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Vince Lombardi… John Wayne, James Dean, Katharine Hepburn – these individuals among many are easily recognizable. However, there are quite a few historical figures who, while having adorned the pages of many a newspaper, are far from household names. Such is the case with Mordecai Manuel Noah. Who is he? What was he known for? When did he live? These questions and more can be garnered through the newspapers of his day. Please enjoy the first installment of:
Who’s Who in Newspapers? Mordecai Manuel Noah Edition
Note: As you explore this chronological set of newspapers, if duplicate issues appear for the same date, the item with the highest item # will have the most up-to-date information.
The Traveler… “Who’s the leader of the club…?”
December 19, 2016 by The Traveler · 2 Comments
Today’s journey took me to New York City by the way of The New York Times dated December 16, 1966. There on the front page I found the headline “Walt Disney, 65, Dies on Coast; Founded an Empire on a Mouse.” “Walt Disney, who built his whimsical cartoon world of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs into a $100-million-a-year entertainment empire; died in St. Joseph’s Hospital here this morning. He was 65 years old… Just before his last illness, Mr. Disney was supervising the construction of a new Disneyland in Florida…”
Oddly enough, Mr. Disney did not do any of the drawings of his famous Mickey Mouse.
~The Traveler
Who’s Who in Newspapers – John Wanamaker edition
November 10, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
Typically, our “Who’s Who in Newspapers” series highlights individuals who were unfamiliar to me before I delved into the world of Rare & Early Newspapers. Today’s post is a departure from that norm. While reviewing the December 12, 1922, issue of The Bethlehem Times, I came across a front-page report of John Wanamaker’s passing. The article stirred a flood of childhood memories tied to this remarkable man whose legacy left a lasting impression on me. Eager to share his story, I hope the following introduction sheds light on his extraordinary contributions.
John Wanamaker: The Merchant Who Made Shopping an Experience
From personal memories to retail innovation, Wanamaker’s left a legacy that reshaped both commerce and tradition. Every December starting in the mid-1950s, my parents bundled up my siblings and me for a trip into Philadelphia to see the Christmas light and music show at Wanamaker’s (currently being converted into a mixed-use facility). To us, it was pure magic — thousands of twinkling lights, the sound of the great pipe organ, and crowds of families gathered in awe. With my grandmother working in the store during those years, Wanamaker’s always felt like more than a department store — it felt like part of our family’s story.
That sense of wonder was no accident. John Wanamaker (1838–1922), the man behind the store, believed shopping could be more than a transaction — it could be an experience. When he opened his Philadelphia department store in 1876, it quickly became a model for modern retail. Wanamaker pioneered the one-price system (no haggling), introduced the money-back guarantee, and used newspaper advertising on a scale few had seen before.
He also reshaped how Americans paid for what they bought. Realizing that many working families couldn’t afford to pay cash for larger purchases, Wanamaker offered installment plans and charge accounts. This bold move laid the foundation for consumer credit, opening the door for more households to access quality goods.
Beyond retail, Wanamaker served as U.S. Postmaster General under President Benjamin Harrison, introducing commemorative stamps and expanding rural mail delivery. Yet it was his Philadelphia store — both marketplace and civic landmark — that became his greatest legacy.
Even today, the memory of standing with my siblings beneath the glow of the light show while the Wanamaker organ thundered through the Grand Court remains a vivid reminder of how one man’s vision reshaped not just shopping, but tradition itself.
Wanamaker’s Firsts – Innovations that reshaped retail
- One-Price System – Ended the practice of haggling; everyone paid the same fair price.
- Money-Back Guarantee – Built customer trust and loyalty.
- Large-Scale Advertising – One of the first to use newspapers to reach wide audiences.
- Department Store Experience – Turned shopping into a cultural outing with art, music, and public events.
- Consumer Credit – Introduced installment plans and charge accounts, paving the way for modern credit.
The September (2018) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…
September 14, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
Each month the staff of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers sends out a newsletter to our members which includes special offers, discounts, alerts to new inventory, and information related to the rare newspaper collectible.
The September, 2018 newsletter:
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Welcome to the September edition of our monthly newsletter. This month we offer a free newspaper (see details below), a set of nearly 200 issues discounted by 50%, a link to our newly discovered items, and a selection of a few recent posts from our History’s Newsstand Blog. Please enjoy.
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Nostalgia inspired by a Great Storyteller…
December 6, 2021 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
The other day I read a quote by someone who asked, “Is it wrong to be nostalgic for a time before you were born?” I may have actually whispered “Hmmm” to myself as I pondered the question. The truth is, when you are surrounded daily by newspapers which tell of events from years long before you were born, one finds oneself bouncing back and forth between a sense of nostalgia and relief – pining after a day when life was a bit slower and less complicated, and moments later being thankful for not having lived through some of the greatest horrors humanity has endured.
Today the scale tipped to nostalgia as I was scanning an issue of The Christian Science Monitor for March 29, 1909 and came across an article featuring an author who’s children’s stories brought me as much delight as a child as they did children of his day. Joel Chandler Harris had the gift of story telling and teaching important lessons to his readers of all ages. Sometimes a sense of nostalgia can reach back decades or even centuries.
Taking a stand… often at a cost…
June 25, 2018 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
What do Michael Jones, Sandy Koufax, Eric Liddell, and Hakeem Olajuwon all have in common? They are all major athletes who made professional sacrifices due to their faith. In some cases the sacrifices made had only a minimal cost, but in others the cost was quite significant. This reality was recently brought to our attention through the eyes of a Detroit News from October 3, 1965. It tells of Sandy Koufax not being available to start the 1st game of the World Series due to his observance of Yom Kipper. Although the article states it really wasn’t a big deal, his missing the first game would mean he would not be available to pitch 3 times if the series took 7 games, unless he pitched with only 2 days rest – rarely a successful venture. After his team lost the first two games of the series, it sure appeared as if his decision would prove quite costly. However, in the end, he did pitch game 7 on only 2 days rest – won the game, and was named the Series MVP. However, what if they had lost? What about others who’s teams have lost or they themselves were excluded from major events due to their faith? Do you think many ever regret their decision to put their faith first? I’m guessing no, but perhaps others know otherwise.
The Traveler… Perrone explodes… Hoffa and Kennedy… Twin Towers plans…
January 20, 2014 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to Detroit through The Detroit Free Press dated January 20, 1964. There I found the bold headlines dealing with the mafia figure Santo Perrone who’s legs were serious injured in a car bombing incident. This includes photos of his car, now in twisted metal.
Also on the front page is the reporting of Jimmy Hoffa’s lawyers seeking to have Attorney General Robert Kennedy called to testify at Hoffa’s upcoming trial for jury tampering. “…If Kennedy tried to claim immunity because of his Cabinet post, Berke said, the defense would ask Chattanooga Federal Judge Frank W. Wilson to ‘use whatever power he has to compel attendance…'”
Inside the issue, I also found “World’s Tallest buildings are planned in New York…” This is in reference to the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center and includes the illustration of them as well.
~The Traveler