From Passion to Legacy: 50 Years Strong… and Counting…

November 28, 2025 by · 10 Comments 

The following, penned by the founder of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers, appeared on the front page of our most recent catalog (#361):

It was 50 years ago this month that the Rare & Early Newspapers business began.

Having been a collector of many things in my earliest of years, primarily coins, venturing into this fascinating world of old newspapers was a logical step. I never really saw a truly old newspaper until I stumbled across an 1826 Philadelphia newspaper at a local flea market, I was convinced I had discovered an unexploited hobby. So my new adventure began. 

Although I started collecting somewhat earlier, I sold my first newspaper on December 1, 1975. I used a manual typewriter to list various newspapers on a legal-size sheet of paper, then making photocopies at a local college to print multiple sheets. When an issue or two sold, I typed up replacements and taped the listings over those that sold, then made more photocopies.

How to advertise in the pre-internet era? I would place small, classified ads in various history & collector-themed magazines. As for research, I kept a set of encyclopedias next to my desk.

Eventually, the single sheets of offerings turned into small catalogs. The first formal catalog was issued in the spring of 1978 and wasn’t even numbered, as I wasn’t sure there would be another.

This catalog you have in your hands is number 361. My ad mentioned “…send 25¢…” for the catalog, which more than covered the cost of postage. Imagine that! 

It was always my goal to continue to offer more issues, earlier issues, and more historic offerings with each passing month. I’ve been pleased with our progress, and for those who have been with us for many years, hopefully you’ve noticed the dramatic growth in the range of our inventory. It was my hope that collectors would look forward to each catalog, anxious to discover new “goodies” we’ve not offered before.

I became semi-retired some 23 years ago with Guy Heilenman taking over, but I remain actively involved, primarily with buying inventory. My wife and I moved West to be close to family, but I get back to Williamsport for “hands-on” work about six weeks a year.

There will be no end to this business. We remain the only full-time dealers in early newspapers in the world. At some point another generation will take over, and our inventory and offerings will, hopefully, continue to expand. I hope to remain involved for as long as God allows.

Thank you all for 50 years of fun!

Tim Hughes

As I reflect on all that has unfolded since Tim first placed those typewritten listings on a photocopied page, I am deeply grateful for the foundation he built — one rooted not just in curiosity and perseverance, but in faith, integrity, and a desire to honor God through honest work. What began as one man’s fascination with the past has become a legacy business that has served thousands of collectors, connected generations through the printed word, and provided meaningful work for more than twenty dedicated team members — including Tim’s younger brother (Brian), my wife (Laura), and all six of our children. Tim’s vision and steadfast commitment to excellence continue to shape every part of who we are as a company.
Furthermore, I’m thankful Tim remains actively involved today, still sharing his wisdom and passion with us. Lord willing, when both of our times have passed, my children — and/or perhaps even my children’s children — will carry the torch forward, preserving not only the newspapers of history, but the faith, integrity, and purpose that have guided this work from the very beginning. May the legacy Tim began continue to remind us that while newspapers record history, it’s the lives behind them that make it truly worth remembering. After all, as Tim said back in 1975: “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was first reported” – that is, through the eyes of those who lived it. Thanks Tim.
Guy Heilenman

Filed under: Business News, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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The reason I collected it: The John-Donkey – 1848…

October 30, 2023 by · Leave a Comment 

While historic events & people–whether they be tragic, heroic, or celebratory–are the domain for most collectors, venturing out of this arena into the small world of comic and satire magazines can be a refreshing change.

This title is a great example, and in my 47 years of collecting newspapers this is the only issue I have encountered. It lasted but 29 weekly issues in 1848. Its significance is such that Frank L. Mott, in his book “A History of American Magazines, 1741-1850”, devoted a chapter to this title.

A few comments from his book include: “…John-Donkey always maintained the tradition of his stupidity… he claimed only to be stupid and was continually trying to prove his stupidity…Most of John-Donkey’s articles, long and short, were satires upon contemporary events or fads, upon organizations, movements, and persons. Politics were prominent…The first page of each issue bore a series of pictures of John Donkey himself in various attitudes…Each number contained a political cartoon, full pate in size, and printed on an unbacked leaf [the print in this issue of ‘The Pennsylvania Thimble-Rigger’, blank on the reverse]…  It is very probable that the seven libel suits filed against the John-Donkey in May had something to do with its demise…”. The photos below is of the issue dated March 11, 1848 – the one I collected.

Filed under: Noteworthy Issues, Pre Civil War, The Collectible Community
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Printed History: Collecting 3.5M rare newspapers in Central Pa.

December 12, 2022 by · Leave a Comment 

Approximately 2 months ago The Williamsport Sun-Gazette (PA) wrote an article about a presentation Tim Hughes gave a local historical society. As a follow-up, Joseph W. Smith III, a writer, speaker and teacher in Central PA, wrote an article about Tim’s trek through the hobby. If you ever wondered about “the story” behind “Rare & Early Newspapers“, or were considering jumping in yourself, this could be a great place to begin your adventure. The article may be viewed at:

Printed History: Collecting 3.5M rare newspapers in Central Pa

Filed under: Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Questions for Collectors, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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Whatcha Got? Harry Rinker interviews Tim Hughes…

February 28, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

Many collectors are quite familiar with Harry Rinker’s nationally syndicated radio talk show, “Watcha Got?”. Harry recently interviewed Tim regarding the Rare Newspapers collectible. Please enjoy the interview at (click on the audio mp3 button):  Watcha Got?

Note: The interview lasts about 15 minutes and begins at the 28:50 time marker (just slide the bar to this point). Better yet, enjoy Harry’s entire broadcast. 🙂

Filed under: Common Questions, Featured Websites, Guest Posts, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, The 1500's - 1700's, The 19th Century, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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Announcing…

October 29, 2012 by · 1 Comment 

Two special events related to the Rare & Early Newspapers collectible are scheduled for this week:

1) A long time collector of historic newspapers, Todd Andrlik, has written a book which is sure to quickly become a classic within the hobby, “Reporting The Revolutionary War: Before It Was History, It Was News”, which tells the story of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of the newspapers of the period. Todd used authentic newspapers from the period… putting into practice what has been stated many times at History’s Newsstand:  “History is never more fascinating than when it’s read from the day it was 1st reported.”  The link below will take you to Amazon’s “Look Inside” and will give you the opportunity to pre-order a copy through Wednesday, and direct order starting Thursday.  Thanks Todd.

“Reporting The Revolutionary War: Before It Was History, It Was News”

2) “Newspapers that shaped the world…“, a special edition catalog from Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers, is also scheduled to be released on Thursday, at 12:01 AM ET, on November 1, 2012. While the following link shows items from our previous catalog, as of 12:01, it will take you to the release of what may be our most notable catalog to-date.

“Newspapers that shaped the world…“

Filed under: Announcements, Business News, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, The 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community, Valuation of Issues
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Start Spreading the News…

March 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment 

Stephanie Finnegan from TREASURES MAGAZINE – Antique to Modern Collecting recently interviewed Tim Hughes for an article which was printed in the February, 2012 issue.  A copy of the article is below.  Thanks and appreciation goes out to Stephanie for her fine work.

Filed under: Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, Featured Websites, Illustrated Newspapers, Newspaper Collecting Ideas, Noteworthy Issues, The 1500's - 1700's, The 19th Century, The 20th & 21st Centuries, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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The Civil War…

April 1, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

Not too long ago we had a collector ask several questions regarding rare newspapers from the Civil War.  We thought others might be interested in the questions and responses as well.

Collector:
I recently obtained a New York Tribune issue from January 1, 1863 that had the evening edition for January 2 inside it, with the attachment remaining uncut on its superior border.Was this the way it was meant to be printed? Was this some error in printing? If this was meant to be this way, why isn’t the evening edition of the January 1 paper attached and not the January 2 edition? Is there any significance to the uncut superior border? How commonly did that happen with ordinary papers of the day?
Tim:
Yes, the N.Y. Tribune was meant to be printed that way. We’ve had hundreds of issues done that way, also done by the Phila. Inquirer and perhaps others.  I have a theory concocted from various sources years ago but no definitive explanation.

Most major city papers had a daily and bi-weekly edition, and some a tri-weekly edition. The cost of a newspaper from the pre-1890 era was no small expense, so the latter two were more affordable for many. I suspect the “Evening Edition” did not publish 7 days a week; perhaps 2 or 3, maybe 4 (?). If this was the case it was easy for them to fill in the balance of the issue with news from a day or two before as the type was already set and those who purchased it hadn’t read it. This was more clearly defined with the Phila. Inq. run we had because they had in the first column that it was the “tri-weekly” edition, and in the same issue was another masthead from the day before. The Tribune did not print such a notice, or at least I haven’t found it yet.

And such editions with 2 masthead are quite uncommon because libraries would have only subscribed to the regular daily edition, given their desire to document all news for every day, and 95% of early newspapers on the market came from some institution after microfilming. So the 2 masthead issues are typically only found as never-bound issues which have survived the years in attics, trunks, etc.

Collector:
While I understand that there is no “only one correct answer” to this question, in regard to Civil War-era newspaper collecting, which papers are the Holy Grail of collecting? Which are the rarest but most sought-after ones? Are there any that even you have never seen, any that even you have been searching for for years and have never found?
Tim:
I would say a Gettysburg Address issue in a Gettysburg newspaper would float pretty close to the top. Or even battle of Gettysburg issues from Gettysburg. All the good Lincoln assassination issues tend to turn up from time to time because they were commonly saved. The Gettys. Add. would not have been saved as it wasn’t anything special at the time. To this day we probably get more requests for both Gettysburg events than any other during the Civil War.

Collector:
Do you have a favorite title form the Civil War?
Tim:
I would say the Philadelphia Inquirer. I like that it had more graphics, many embellishments at the tops of ftpg. columns, and often used larger type in its headings.

Thanks for the member inquiry which led to these responses from Tim.  Feel free to send your questions, comments as well.

Filed under: Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Common Questions, The Hobby
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Featured websites – TeachHistory.com

March 18, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

Teachers with a love of history, listen up!  The following resource can improve your curriculum and make you a stronger educator.  Students of history will enjoy the breadth and depth of the historical journey as well.

TeachHistory is a fantastic website (blog), developed and maintained by Ben Edwards, which provides engaging information & a plethora of useful educational resources related to history.  It describes itself as:

“a blog dedicated to social studies and history teachers across the United States who use Colonial American history, imagination and multisensory teaching methods to inspire their students. Our goal is to provide a resource where teachers like you can access information about colonial history plus technologies, methods and products that are making a difference in education today.”

While Ben’s experience with teachers and students is varied, perhaps the most useful channel for keeping him in touch with the pulse of teacher/student interests and needs occur via the many intimate conversations had while engaging teachers and students through his Walking Tours of Historic Boston.  Combine this with both his (historic) heritage and his natural love of history, and you have the making of a blog which is sure to stay relevant over time.  Some of the recent posts include:

Colonel Shaw, Sergeant Carney and the 54th Massachusetts

Remembering Alex Haley and Roots

Black History Month: A Tribute to Phillis Wheatley

Young Ben Franklin and the Silence Dogood Letters

Teachers: Are You Engaging AND Empowering Your Students?

Many of the posts include detailed images and reference accounts of actual Rare & Early Newspapers – most of which come from his personal collection.  Ben fully grasps a foundational truth regarding primary sources:  “History is never more fascinating than when it is read from the day it was first reported.” Thanks Ben, for your contributions to both the Rare Newspapers and Educational communities.

Filed under: Civil War, Collecting Newspapers, Colonial, Common Questions, Featured Websites, Revolutionary War, The 1700's, The Collectible Community, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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Featured websites – RagLinen.com

March 11, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

From time to time we like to take a look at various websites which may enhance our Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers‘ members collecting experience.  Todd Andrlik’s “Rag Linen“, is such a site.  It describes itself foremost as “…an educational archive of rare and historic newspapers, which serve as the first drafts of history and the critical primary source material for historians, authors and educators.”  A sample of Rag Linen’s posts on the corresponding blog include:

Rag Linen also has useful information on the History of Newspapers, the Condition & Preservation of newspapers, and more.  Well done Todd.  Thanks for your contributions to the rare newspapers community.

Filed under: Common Questions, Featured Websites, The Hobby, The Rare Newspapers Community
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First newspaper in Connecticut…

January 25, 2010 by · 2 Comments 

Tim Hughes, founder

Printing in Connecticut began as early as 1710 by its first printer, Thomas Short. Short became an orphan at a young age and was captured by Indians & carried away to Canada. He was eventually ransomed, likely by his brother-in-law, Bartholomew Green, who taught him the printing trade. The Green family was well known as early printers throughout New England.

Printing in New Haven began when James Parker, of New York, was appointed postmaster by Benjamin Franklin, although there is no evidence he ever spent much time either as postmaster or printer. He employed John Holt, of Williamsburg, Virginia, to manage the printing office. “The Present State of the Colony of Connecticut Considered” from 1755 is the earliest known production by James Parker in New Haven. On April 12, 1755 he brought out the first number of a  newspaper titled the “Connecticut Gazette“, with Holt as editor. It was the very first newspaper printed in Connecticut and continued until Feb. 19, 1768 at which time it ceased publication.

Just a few months later in Hartford, on April 25, 1768, the “Connecticut Courant” began publication and remains in print today as the country’s oldest continually published newspaper.

Filed under: Common Questions, Noteworthy Issues, The 1500's - 1700's, The 1700's
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