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One of the more unusual, graphic issues on Lincoln’s death…
June 17, 2024 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
The Philadelphia Inquirer had several issues on Lincoln’s death and funeral that were very graphic, more such issues than any other title we’ve encountered from the era. But perhaps the most unusual–I might use the word stunning–would have to be the Cleveland Morning Leader issue of April 28, 1865.
As would be expected of this date, the front page has nice column heads concerning the capture & death of John Wilkes Booth, including: “Stanton’s Bulletin!” “J. W. BOOTH! SHOT” “Harrold Captured!” “The Murderer’s Remains in Washington” “The Funeral Train” and more.
But the ink bleed-through on the front-page hints that page 2 has something unusual. And indeed it does, as does page 3 as well. When this four-page issue is opened the entirety of page 2 is taken up with a “monument” to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, set in type, done in a graphic style that appears like a monument. There is text within the “monument” but no other text on the page.
And page 3 contains a black-bordered box with five phrases relating to Lincoln, one a quote from his Emancipation Proclamation, and another a bit from one of his speeches.
It’s curious that we purchased this issue at auction with the description limited to just the front-page content on John Wilkes Booth. No mention was made of the inside content, but having had this issue before we knew what was inside – so much more notable than the front page.
A Hero Lost. . . Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr…
January 20, 2022 by LauraH · Leave a Comment
At times, even with original documents in hand, history can be a bit perplexing or a bit cloudy. Hindsight is often not as 20/20 as one might think. However, some are heroes in nearly everyone’s book. Celebrated by the historical record itself, their earthly departure leaves a hole which will likely never be filled. The April 5, 1968 ARIZONA REPUBLIC heralded such a loss. May our honoring of his life keep his dream alive.
Snapshot 1968… One of the more eerie ads we’ve seen…
September 9, 2019 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
The following snapshot comes from the Village Voice, Greenwich Village, New York, June 6, 1968. In a bizarre twist of fate which is a bit stranger than fiction, Robert (Bobby) Kennedy died this same day at the hand of an assassin, and although the coverage was not included since this issue had already been printed, the back page has an eerie ad soliciting help with his campaign which states: “ROBERT F. KENNEDY is alive and living in N.Y.” What could possibly have motivated the one placing this ad to include such wording?
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… Malcolm X assassinated…
March 12, 2018 by The Traveler · 2 Comments
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the LOS ANGELES TIMES, February 22, 1965: “MALCOLM X GUNNED DOWN“…
Discretion was the better part of valor…
January 19, 2017 by TimHughes · Leave a Comment
Wounds from the Civil War were still very fresh in the hearts & minds of the Southerners in the months after the Civil War, and perhaps sensitivities were no more acute than among the residents of Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy up to the closing days of the war.
With this in mind, a new newspaper was begun in the city of Richmond during the closing day of April, 1865, the same month the capital fell to the Yankees. The newspaper was announced in the April 20 issue of the “Richmond Whig”, the announcement headed: “A New Morning Paper – The Richmond Times” and the text including: “…The paper will be under the exclusive editorial charge & control of Mr. H. Rives Pollard, late of the Richmond Examiner, and the first number will appear on Friday…will be devoted to the honor and interest of Virginia…For the present at least–until Virginia shall have emerged from the existing chaos and confusion–the Times will studiously refrain from all editorial comment & will be devoted exclusively to the news of the day. It must be obvious to every reflecting mind that the present is no time for editorial comment or stricture, and that it would only serve to fan the flame of excitement…”.
It is nice to read that there was compassion among the victorious Yankees as the occupied Richmond. There were certainly options that could only have hurt the cause of reunion, but the publisher wisely opted to consider discretion as the better part of valor.
The Traveler… Squelching conspiracy to the bitter end…
January 5, 2017 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
Today I traveled to Parsons, Kansas, by means of The Parsons Sun dated January 3, 1967 where the headline read: “Cancer Victim – Death Takes Ruby; Slayer of Oswald”. “Jack Ruby, insisting to his final day that he acted along as Lee Harvey Oswald’s slayer, died today of cancer in Parkland Memorial Hospital…” This was the same hospital in which President Kennedy was pronounced dead.” Soon after Ruby’s killing of Oswald, conspiracy theories were stoked as news spread focusing on the point that Ruby knew Oswald. However, he attempted to debunk these stories as is described within the coverage: “…over the last weekend, it was revealed that one of Ruby’s last acts was to record another statement denying any conspiracy… a small recorder into the hospital room for Jack to use and tell his story — the story he died with…”
~The Traveler
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… death of Gandhi…
October 8, 2015 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the TAUNTON DAILY GAZETTE, Massachusetts, January 30, 1948: “GANDHI SHOT TO DEATH”…
The Civil War (post conflict)… June, 1865
June 5, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · 1 Comment
What news was reported in June, 1865 – 150 years ago? Such a walk back in time through the eyes of those who read the daily and weekly newspapers of the period can be quite revealing. This is why we often say, “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.” The following link will take you back in time to show the available newspapers from the Rare & Early newspapers website. There’s no need to buy a thing. Simply enjoy the walk back in time:June, 1865
The Civil War (post conflict)… May, 1865
May 1, 2015 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment
quite revealing. This is why we often say, “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported.” The following link will take you back in time to show the available newspapers from the Rare & Early newspapers website. There’s no need to buy a thing. Simply enjoy the walk back in time:May, 1865
Great Headlines Speak For Themselves… “Bugsy” Siegel assassinated…
November 7, 2014 by The Traveler · Leave a Comment
The best headlines need no commentary. Such is the case with the HERALD EXPRESS–EXTRA, Los Angeles, June 21, 1947: “‘BUGSY’ SIEGEL MURDERED“…