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An oddity from 1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg…
September 9, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment 
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I don’t know about you, but if my town was occupied by enemy troops and the battle was ragging all around me, I’m thinking I would likely take up arms and join my fellow compatriots – and a host of my neighbors would certainly do the same. So, when I recently saw the illustration of “John Burns, the only man in Gettysburg, PA, who fought at the battle” on the cover of the August 22, 1863 Harper’s Weekly, I was perplexed. I understand the majority of able-bodied men were likely off to war elsewhere, but to think no one was left to “defend the home-front” other than this one man is a bit confounding. The writer of the corresponding article also took note of this curiosity, and his comments are posted below.
This statement was written shortly after the battle, and often, as time goes on, new information is unearthed. With this in mind, if anyone has information which would refute this claim, please send us a note and we will update this post. Thanks in advance.
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Labor Day… the closing of summer…
September 5, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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Growing up, it seemed as if summer was full of fun days. Not just the daily delights of no school and long warm evenings where you could still see to play until 9pm but, special days as well… holidays filled with picnics and parades and flags fluttering in the breeze. As a child, each of those festivals seemed the same with some being punctuated by fireworks but all being filled with extended family, community and tables full of family favorites. As I got a bit older, my diligent grandparents helped me to understand the differences in these summer observances… the founding of our one-of-a-kind country being celebrated one day and those who lost their lives defending her being honored on another. In the midst of my growing understanding, I did not quite grasp the importance of Labor Day. To me it was the last vestige of summer, deserving of celebration. Fortunately, even though my elders did not instill in me a full understanding of this final summer festival, they did foster in me a strong work ethic and so, in time, I came to realize the tremendous importance of honoring those who toiled and labored to build this grand country and continue to sustain her. With these childhood images in mind, I was so delighted to find a New York Times dated June 29, 1894 with a front-page announcement of President Grover Cleveland’s establishment of Labor Day as a National Holiday. May our flag keep billowing, and may American parents continue to raise up generations who will be willing to labor and sacrifice for her so she may continue to shine.
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Announcing: Catalog #322 for September, 2022 – Rare & Early Newspapers for collectors…
September 2, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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September’s catalog (#322) is now available. Also shown below are links to a video featuring highlights from the catalog, our currently discounted newspapers, and recent posts to the History’s Newsstand Blog. Please enjoy.
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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.]
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- Announcing: Catalog #321 (for August, 2022) – Rare & Early Newspapers for collectors…
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- Announcing: Catalog #327 for February, 2023 – Rare & Early Newspapers for collectors…
- Announcing: Catalog #330 for May, 2023 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
Blockbuster Movie Ads at Their Best – Overview – Part II
August 29, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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It has been nearly a month since we posted: Blockbuster Movie Ads – Overview – Part 1
We had so much fun creating and sharing the video one of our staff thought it would be nice to offer a sequel. These authentic ads for the premiers of blockbuster movies stir memories of what we now view as simpler days. The fact that they come from a Los Angles newspaper – the home of Hollywood, make them even more desirable. This 2nd installment may be viewed at
Ads for the Premiers of Blockbuster Movies – Part II (view on YouTube or Facebook)
As mentioned previously, we add new listings on nearly a weekly basis. However, if you have a favorite movie for which you would like to see an ad from the week of its release, and cannot find it through the link, just send me a note (guy@rarenewspapers.com).
In the meantime, our active listings are found at: Blockbuster Movie Ads
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A collectible few know exists… Rare & Early Newspapers…
August 26, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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In the summer of 2020, a new staff member, Lyndsay Miller, joined the Rare & Early Newspapers family. Unlike most of us who are old dogs and are not on the cutting edge of social media (i.e., we have zero chance of becoming “influencers” – oh well), she walks a bit closer to the cutting edge. One day, soon after my wife (our office manager) and I returned from visiting family, I (accidentally) checked one of our social media accounts where I found Lyndsay had been secretly at work in our absence. The two videos she had created are shown below. Enjoy
https://www.tiktok.com/@historysnewsstand/video/7115109861498621227?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7063070103805888006
https://www.tiktok.com/@historysnewsstand/video/7099544529078062382?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7063070103805888006
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If Only They Could Have Known… France Tackles the Panama Canal…
August 22, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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Today I happened upon a Frank Leslie’s Illustrated newspaper from February 14, 1880. On the front cover was a riveting image of Ferdinand Marie, Comte de Lesseps with his engineers in Panama right before the hard work to build the canal was to begin (see below). As I scanned the faces of the 23 men who joined him, I saw serious contemplation, enthusiasm, apprehension and perhaps a bit of excitement. What I didn’t see was horror, which is what seems to me was in the very near future. Even glancing through this quick summary from Wiki …
” After two years of surveys, work on the canal began in 1882. However, the technical difficulties of operating in the wet tropics dogged the project. Particularly disastrous were recurrent landslides into the excavations from the bordering water-saturated hills, and the death toll from malaria and yellow fever. In the end, insufficient financial capital and financial corruption ended the project. The Panama Canal Company declared itself bankrupt in December 1888 and entered liquidation in February 1889.”
… I walked away shuddering at the thought of what must have been a fearsome scene. It seems fitting that these brave men are enshrined on the cover of a Leslie’s. Hopefully, I won’t be the only one who pauses to take notice…andexplore.
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The course makes all the difference… Ronald Reagan’s 2nd Inaugural Address…
August 19, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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A boat ride… what could be more relaxing? I suppose the answer would depend on whether you were a passenger on a fishing excursion off the coast of Florida or aboard the Titanic. The bottom line? The answer hinges on the course you’re on.
On January 22, 1985, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES had front page coverage of President Ronald Reagan’s 2nd Inauguration with the title “President Vows to Stay on Course in 2nd Term “. Now there’s a line completely dependent on the course taken over his previous 4 years! Where had he steered us so far? Based on the answer, where did we think he would take us now? What “course” had he charted for our country? Interestingly enough, in smaller print (but still on the front page) came some reassurance: “Dow Soars 34; Investors Mood Seem Stronger”. Those in the “know” seem to think we were on a good trajectory… so (sigh of relief), let the Gala begin!!!
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Frederick Douglass – A true American hero…
August 15, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · 2 Comments Email This Post
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I’m currently reading “The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass”, and I must say, although I have always appreciated his accomplishments and admired him for his perseverance and tenacity as he moved from slavery to freedom, and then on to being a passionate herald for the freedom and equal right of others, over the past few weeks my eyes have been opened to his astounding skills as both a writer and orator. The fact that his cause resonates deep within me makes this revelation even more satisfying.
The quote shown above is from the introduction penned by George L. Ruffin. I couldn’t help but smile upon reading his statement about the value of historic newspapers as primary source material. While I personally prefer the label “contextual-source material”, he certainly seems to grasp the point – and the fact that Douglass himself was a long-time publisher of what we now refer to as rare & early newspapers only adds to the statement’s relevance.
Considering much was also written about (and by) Frederick Douglass in the newspapers of his day, please forgive me if I indulge readers of this blog with related posts over the next few months. At my age, placing the quest to explore more about his life on the backburner would likely be tantamount to tossing it into the recycling bin. Therefore, there is no time like the present. Thanks in advance for your understanding. If anyone would like to contribute a post regarding his life and can tether it to a newspaper (or newspapers) from the past, please be in touch (guy@rarenewspapers.com).
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“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” – Historic Baseball Coverage…
August 12, 2022 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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One of the popular subsets of the Rare & Early Newspapers hobby is the collecting of historic baseball reports (as well as detailed coverage of favorite teams and players from the past). As of the writing of this post, more than 1,000 such issues were available for browsing and/or collecting at:
Baseball Reports and Headlines
One of our staff recently gathered a few issues together and created a one-minute video which we hope you will enjoy:
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The Stuff of Legends… Paul Revere and his ride into near-mythical status…
August 8, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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Whether it is an Ian Flemming Novel or one by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, there is something about cloak and dagger … slinking through the shadows or breath-catching action which captures the imagination. If one is able to combine these with a real-life story, all the better! I would argue such is the case with The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Inspiring both children, from their earliest years in school, to great poets and artists in their time, Paul Revere exhibited both courage and savvy to evade the British in passing along his critical cry of warning. On December 5, 1795, The COLUMBIAN CENTINEL Boston, gives the account of Paul Revere’s legendary ride on the eve of the battle of Lexington and Concord. The best spy account in American History? I’ll let you decide.
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