Search
The Rare & Early Newspapers Hobby
Receive the Newsletter
Buy Historic Newspapers
A Fly on the Wall at the Constitutional Convention of 1787…
October 17, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment 
Email This Post
| 
Print This Post
It is not uncommon these days to hear people discussing The Constitution. How they discuss this crucial founding document may differ radically and the accuracy with which they discuss it may vary as well. As you can imagine, those of us at Rare Newspapers fall into the “Perhaps the best secular document ever written” camp. So, I am sure it will not surprise you to know that I have always longed to have been “a fly on the wall” during the Constitutional Convention. Given the writings of the Founders, I have to imagine we would all be blown away by their passionate discussions. Just the other day I heard someone discussing various states’ desire to hold a Constitutional Convention… to make some changes. His comment went something like this (paraphrased)…
– I have been in favor of a current day Constitutional Convention in the past however, as I look at where we are today as a nation, I do not think we can be trusted as a people to open this precious document and leave it vulnerable to changes made by this culture. –
He went on to say (again, paraphrased) … -I believe the day may come in the future when we could be trusted with such a sobering task, but today is not that day. –
For now, we will just need to content ourselves with protecting this amazing document as is until/if that day comes.
Note: The image shown above announcing a quorum had finally been reached at the Constitutional Convention was taken from THE INDEPENDENT GAZETTEER; OR THE CHRONICLE OF FREEDOM, Philadelphia, May 26, 1787.
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- Most historic: 1784 thru 1800…
- A cynical view on the Constitutional Convention…
- The Woman’s Rights Convention, Seneca Falls, 1848…
- The first newspaper in Kentucky…
- An historical anecdote…
The Gentleman’s Magazine – Own history for pennies on the dollar…
October 14, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
To learn more about this wonderful publication, view our previous posts at:
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- Edward Cave Junior, and his Gentleman’s Magazine…
- Victor Hugo – poetry in early 19th century Gentleman’s Magazines…
- Print date for the Gentleman’s Magazine…
- When did the “Gentleman’s Magazine” print the Declaration of Independence?
- Gentleman’s Magazine: a little gem packed with history…
Timothy Hughes – sharing his passion for collecting historical newspapers…
October 10, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
Tim Hughes has had multiple opportunities to speak about his love for Rare & Early Newspapers. Whether it has been in front of teenagers in Pennsylvania or adults in California, it is especially rewarding when he shares his hobby to those from his own town. He recently had the privilege to do so at the local historical society (Thomas T. Taber Museum) in Williamsport, PA, which was reported in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Please enjoy:
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- Printed History: Collecting 3.5M rare newspapers in Central Pa.
- 18th century & pre-18th century newspapers… revisited…
- Collector shares a nice find…
- From Waco to Brooklyn…
- A real gem…
George Washington and the Hebrew Congregation in Savannah… 1790…
October 7, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
At times, when I sit down to write a blog post, I feel woefully inadequate to add anything to what has been said within the issue I’m seeking to highlight. Such is the case with one of my favorite issues we have ever held here at Rare Newspapers. On July 1, 1790, the MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR THE WORCESTER GAZETTE published a letter: “Address from the Hebrew Congregation of the city of Savannah, in Georgia, to the President of the United States”, signed in type by: Levi Sheftall, President, on behalf of the Hebrew Congregation. This letter is so beautifully written and expresses a sentiment which must have been a balm to the anxious souls of Jews throughout the United States of America. Rather than quote a piece or paraphrase, please indulge me with a reading of the letter in its entirety. Hopefully, you will also breathe a calming sigh of relief as you visualize the readers from over 200 years ago.
Gentlemen,
I thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office, which I have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow-citizens: and especially for the expressions which you are pleased to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congregation.
As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has afforded an opportunity for appreciating the merits of the federal-government, and for communicating your sentiments of its administration—I have rather to express my satisfaction than regret at a circumstance, which demonstrates (upon experiment) your attachment to the former as well as approbation of the latter.
I rejoice that a spirit of liberality and philanthropy is much more prevalent than it formerly was among the enlightened nations of the earth; and that your brethren will benefit thereby in proportion as it shall become still more extensive. Happily, the people of the United States of America have, in many instances, exhibited examples worthy of imitation—The salutary influence of which will doubtless extend much farther, if gratefully enjoying those blessings of peace which (under favor of Heaven) have been obtained by fortitude in war, they shall conduct themselves with reverence to the Deity, and charity towards their fellow-creatures.
May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivering the Hebrews from their Egyptian Oppressors planted them in the promised land—whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation—still continue to water them with the dews of Heaven and to make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.
G. Washington
All I can say is, “Wow!”
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- The Traveler… Rabbi Gershom Seixas… 1st native-born American rabbi…
- The revered September 15, 1790 issue of the Gazette of the United States. The back story…
- Peace on earth, good will toward men… The Year of Jubilee…
- President George Washington: “Et tu, John Adams?”…
- How shall we address the President?
The End of an Era at Rare & Early Newspapers… Thanks Mike!
September 29, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · 3 Comments Email This Post
| Print This Post
For nearly 20 years we were blessed to have Mike Hiller as an “active member” of our Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers family. His sense of humor delighted us daily, his attention to detail was second-to-none, and his work ethic and commitment to excellence were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working with him. If you purchased a newspaper from us during his reign as “Warehouse Supervisor and Shipping Extraordinaire” you likely had a chance to see his handiwork. While he certainly made all of our lives easier, his greatest contribution was in his unofficial capacity as “Exemplary Role Model of Guy and Laura’s Children” – a task he took quite seriously. The top photo is of Mike taken on his last day of work, and the one shown below is of him with each of our kiddos – all who benefited from his example (he’s the one in the middle).
Mike,
We pray you and your wife will thoroughly enjoy this next chapter of your lives – the so-called “retired phase”. Thank you for being you.
With love and respect,
Guy & Laura Heilenman
Although we are saddened to see this era come to an end, we are grateful Mike has agreed to accept a new position: “Occasional ‘Special Projects’ Guru”. The Rare & Early Newspaper’s world is not ready to cut the ties that bind.
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- Where have we been?
- The end of an era… Thank you Jerry…
- A collectible few know exists… Rare & Early Newspapers…
- Collector Historic Newspapers – A discussion with Tim Hughes…
- The January (2020) Newsletter from Rare & Early Newspapers…
Today’s month and day through the eyes of Rare & Early Newspapers… 9/26 edition…
September 26, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
Today I came across a previous post in which we showed the readers of the History’s Newsstand Blog how to use the Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers advanced search interface to explore available newspapers for any given day and month, which made me wonder which day on a calendar has had the most interesting news reports over time. Of course the answer would be quite subjective, but it did motivate me to run a search for today’s date:
The results were more varied (and interesting) than I was expecting. Feel free to try a date which has special meaning to you to see what you might find. If you are not sure how to do this, go to: Exploring “This Day in History” through Rare & Early Newspapers
If you discover a date which you find to be pregnant with interesting news, feel free to let me know at guy@rarenewspapers.com. Thanks.
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- The RareNewspapers.com website – how to search for historic newspapers…
- More than what meets the eye – categories on the RareNewspapers.com website…
- This Month in History – September…
- Exploring “This Day in History” through Rare & Early Newspapers…
- Exploring “This Day in History” through Rare & Early Newspapers… Updated!
Snapshot 1929… Homebuilding 101…
September 23, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
As of today, over 25% of my wife’s and my retirement savings have turned to dust. Ouch. Will our investments bounce back? Our 6 children and their families certainly hope so. Yes, times are tough, but are they any worse than during the height of the most recent pandemic… or the one from the early 1900’s? How about living during any of the multiple wars we’ve engaged in over the past 200+ years, during the Great Depression, or in and around some of the devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or wildfires which have taken countess lives or stripped the survivors of their worldly possessions? Do our current financial, social, and political difficulties hold a candle to any of these?
These ponderings are not meant to diminish the sorrow, sickness, and loss of life which has befallen us over the past few years, but we’ve also learned a ton: “Don’t sweat the small stuff?”, “What are truly the most important things to hold on to?”, “Life is precious.”, to name but a few. All of these fall under the umbrella of “Homebuilding 101”. The Author of wisdom once said, “Don’t build your house upon the sand!” This is not merely good advice, its words to live by.
Case in point…
In late October of 1929 the Stock Market crashed, and in an instant the foundation of many washed away in a torrent of bad news. For those who had built their house upon such fleeting sand as an investment portfolio, everything crumbled. Such was the case for James J. Riordan, a noteworthy investor and president of the County Trust Company of New York. His response to the crash was emblazoned on the front page of the Chicago Sunday Tribune (along with most other newspapers of the day) for all to see. Of course his reaction to the sudden loss of worldly possessions has been played out in similar fashion time-and-time again – a lesson for all of us to consider when we are seeking a foundation upon which to build our lives. 
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- Snapshot 1929… Just prior to the “crash” – Thomas Edison’s electric lamp…
- Snapshot 1887 – The End of the Western Frontier?
- The Traveler… the bloodiest battle in the Civil War…
- Prices realized… 20th century…
- What did they do to false prophets? 1929 predicted to be a banner financial year…
The Village Voice… The Heart of the 60’s-70’s Anti-Establishment Youth Culture…
September 19, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
Most newspaper collectors know that when reporting historical events, a title’s location can dramatically impact the value of an issue. As an example:
HERALD EXAMINER–EXTRA, Los Angeles, Nov. 22, 1963 … nice issue.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, Nov. 23, 1963… a whole different story!
However, at times the content a collector would like is more defined by the heart of the culture than the location of a specific event. So, it is with much of American music from the 50’s through the 80’s. Greenwich Village was often seen as one of the ground-zero centers of the creative (but edgy) youth culture during this era, so finding content on The Beatles, Bob Dylan or even The Rolling Stones in The Village Voice is especially noteworthy – often giving the reader a whole new perspective on the “culture shapers”, or dare I say “influencers” of their day. I wonder where the epicenters of todays’ music are located?
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- Were you there – 1974? Bob Dylan returns from a nearly 8-year absence…
- The Power of Music… Classics Never go out of Style!
- The Village Voice… Greenwich Village, New York…
- The Village Voice, U2, Hitler – The sky is falling!
- Digital newspaper archives…
The Illustrated London News… Beautiful imagery…
September 16, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
Today, as I was searching for an issue for a collector, I was paging through an 1857 issue of The Illustrated London News. In the midst of all of the intricate black and white sketches I happened upon two full-color double page portraits of what I believed to be women’s fashion of the day… one titled “Town” and the other titled “Country”. Of course, my immediate thought went to the popular American magazine which began in the 1800’s. However, upon a bit of investigating, I found that the current Town and Country Magazine had a predecessor two hundred years prior to its inception (some of which we have sold). This English version which began in the 1760’s is described as follows by Wikipedia:
“Town and Country Magazine was an 18th-century London-based publication that featured tales of scandals and affairs between members of London’s upper classes. Town and Country Magazine was founded by Archibald Hamilton in 1769. It gained the name ‘Town and Country’ because Hamilton had two offices, one in urban Clerkenwell and one in a rural area near Highgate. In the 1770s there was a dramatic increase in suits brought by men and their wives’ lovers in England. Many people became eager to read transcripts of adultery trials…”.
Yikes! After reading this, I am no longer sure what I found was describing women’s fashion.
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...
- The Woman’s Journal & Education, Law and Depression…
- Wyoming’s first newspapers…
- Mining town of Gunnison, Colorado…
- First newspapers in Michigan…
- They Put It In Print (1918)… “The 19th Amendment fails by 1 vote…”
They put it in print, 1947 – The day Roswell became a boldfaced destination on the map…
September 12, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
| Print This Post
With few exceptions, the most collectible/desirable “1st reports” of most major events are found in newspapers printed the day after the event occurred. However, it is hard not to ponder what people were reading in the newspapers printed on the “day of” such events. The reality that most memorable events in history took place on days in which the average person woke up to an ordinary, typical, “same-ol-same ol” world, poured themselves a cup of coffee, and sat down to read the relatively uneventful news reports reporting on the events from the prior day. What were people reading on the day of Lincoln’s assassination… the bombing of Pearl Harbor… the “twin-towers” attack… the sinking of the Titanic… the Hindenburg explosion… the 1906 San Francisco earthquake/fire… the (atomic) bombing of Hiroshima? In nearly every instance the newspapers printed and read on the day of such events including nothing whatsoever related to what was to come a mere hours later. How could they?
It is this common-sense reality which made our recent discovery of the Chicago Daily Tribune printed on the day of the “Roswell Incident” rather intriguing. See for yourself:
If you liked this post, you may also enjoy...