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Announcing: Catalog #353 for April, 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
March 28, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment 
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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 #344 for July, 2024 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
Collecting Newspapers – The Basics (Part II) – What to Expect…
March 24, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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The 2nd installment of “Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” continues with a focus on the answers to handful of common questions: “Why does my newspaper look like it came from a bound volume, and what are the small holes along the spine?”, “Considering their age, what their condition?”, “Why is my issue so small?”, “How many pages do they have?, “Will it be brittle?” “What is ‘foxing’?”, “What does ‘chipping’ mean?, “Why is the old newspaper I just received so white – is it a reprint?”, and similar. Whereas many of these questions are answered in detail through dedicate posts, a quick primer is provided the page shown below which comes from the brochure we send out to new collectors.
Additional information about the hobby can be found through this Blog and on the Rare Newspapers’ website.
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- “Collecting Newspapers – The Basics” (Part III) – Newspaper Care…
- Collecting Newspapers – The Basics (Part I) – Eras, Topics, and Titles…
- Rick Brown’s Primer on Collecting Old & Historic Newspapers…
- Questions… Questions? Questions!
- Resources of collectors…
A Fly on the Wall… Ben Franklin at the Printing Press…
March 21, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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This post continues the series… “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall.”
My husband, Guy, is in the middle of reading the book “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life” by Walter Isaacson. Fortunately for me, each morning over coffee, he loves to share the latest adventures of Ben Franklin – from childhood to Founding Father. His creativity, resourcefulness and brilliance which was present from a young age is inspiring, and watching Franklin mature as the pages turn is a delight.
While I am sure any moment in Ben Franklin’s life is worthy of an, “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall” moment, today, a particular one came to mind which ironically involved newspapers:
THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 19, 1753 is a highly sought after collectible issue regardless of the printer; however, the addition of “Printed by B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL at the New Printing Office, near the Market” on the back of the newspaper (*when present) makes it even more so. I can just imagine Franklin pouring over his printing press – ruminating over a plethora of ideas for clever articles, puzzles, and tidbits of world-altering wisdom, and then watching some burst forth onto the pages of what was undoubtedly the most popular newspaper of the day, and the 2nd-most sought after publication (his Poor Richard’s Almanac claimed the top spot for a number of years). The image this solicits in my mind certainly leads me to include his “Franklin imprint” in the “I wish I could have been a fly on the wall” category. 
* His imprint, whether it was just his name or included D. Hall’s (depending upon the ownership status of the publication), was always printed at the bottom of the back page. Unfortunately, some issues tacked on an extra advertising leaf in which it was printed, and most of these were handled in the same manner as the advertising inserts of today. They were read and then thrown away. Thankfully, although increasingly rare, some of the issues containing these desirable imprints can still be found.
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FACT OR FICTION? St. Patrick Drives Snakes Out of Ireland…
March 17, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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Myth & lore are always fascinating and are usually some combination of fact & fiction. St. Patrick’s story certainly falls into this category. Did he in really drive all snakes out of Ireland? Were there even snakes in Ireland to be driven out? Were these metaphoric serpents? Did he instead drive out cults who worshiped snakes? So many questions with no tangible evidence for answers; however, as with most lore, the essence is often true: He was a bold man bravely standing against evil in an area of the World which desperately needed light. Whatever your thoughts of St. Patrick and his story might be, perhaps this St. Patrick’s Day we can all celebrate the themes of “good over evil” and bravely taking a stand. Now those are ideas I can raise a pint to. Enjoy the following full-page print which was found in a Chicago Sunday Tribune from 1935:
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Artificial Intelligence, Alexander Hamilton, and The Funding Act of 1790…
March 13, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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“A jack of all trades, a master of none” is often how I feel in my role as the overseer of life at Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers. Since collectible reporting covers nearly every topic under the sun (politics, religion, flight, exploration, literature, social issues, war, and more), it is impossible to know everything about everything. Even the areas which are personal favorites are more than enough to drive my quest to be a life-long learner. One such topic involves the early years of American and the “Founding” of The United States. Still, my nearly 7 decades of knowledge-absorption still leaves me wanting. A case in point was recently brought to the surface by a set of 4 issues covering The Funding Act of 1790. I knew the father of the Act was largely Alexander Hamilton and that it was an essential step in the early formation of the U.S., but beyond these basic elements, I admittedly knew little. Since our desire when describing collectible items is to be as accurate as possible, whenever I/we would be presented with a knowledge gap “back in the day”, our bookshelves full of resource material was essential – but cumbersome. Then the internet came alive and our ability to gather information was drastically reduced – especially once we gathered a repertoire of reliable sources. BUT NOW…
The question of the day: “How reliable/accurate is AI?” Only time will tell, but I thought it might be fun to seek a little input as it relates to the topic at hand. I did a basic (“think”) search on Grok (Elon Musk’s AI) for: “Why was the 1790 Funding Act so significant?” The response was:
The 1790 Funding Act was a landmark piece of legislation in United States history, playing a pivotal role in shaping the young nation’s financial and political landscape. Proposed by Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasury Secretary, the act addressed the massive debt accumulated during the Revolutionary War by consolidating state debts under federal control and funding them at full value. Its significance can be understood through several key aspects:
(by John Trumbull)
### 1. **Debt Consolidation and Federal Authority**
The act allowed the federal government to assume the debts of individual states, centralizing financial responsibility. This move stabilized the economy by creating a unified approach to debt management. While controversial—some states that had already paid off their debts opposed subsidizing others—it strengthened the federal government’s authority over the states, marking a shift toward a more centralized system.
### 2. **Establishment of National Credit**
By issuing bonds to pay off old debts and funding them through tariffs and excise taxes, the Funding Act established the United States as a credible borrower. This was critical for gaining the trust of international creditors and investors, laying the foundation for future economic growth. It demonstrated that the U.S. could honor its financial obligations, a vital step for a fledgling nation.
### 3. **Foundation for a National Economy**
The act was a cornerstone of Hamilton’s broader financial vision, which included creating a national bank to manage government finances and issue currency. By addressing the debt crisis and introducing federal taxation, it set the stage for a stable, centralized financial system. This stability was essential for the nation’s economic development and influenced future fiscal policies.
### 4. **Political Impact**
The Funding Act deepened the divide between Federalists, who favored a strong central government, and Democratic-Republicans, who worried about federal overreach. This ideological conflict shaped early American politics and highlighted the act’s role in defining the balance of power between federal and state governments.
In summary, the 1790 Funding Act was significant because it marked the federal government’s first major step into financial governance, resolving the post-war debt crisis while establishing the U.S. as a financially credible nation. It solidified federal authority, built a foundation for economic stability, and influenced the political and economic trajectory of the United States for decades to come.
How did Grok do? Did it miss anything of critical significance?
If so, perhaps you would like to review Grok’s “DeepSearch“.
I’ll admit, AI makes me more than a little nervous; however, if properly constrained… Ok, I’d still be more than a little nervous.
Thoughts?
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Snapshot 1820 – Considering a Cure for Hard Times…
March 10, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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One would need to search far and wide to find someone who doesn’t acknowledge that we’re living in hard times. Harder than those who lived through any major war… any great famine… any weather-born catastrophe… any form of slavery (or similar form of oppression)… any horrific accident… any economic depression… any…??? Most would say no, but “felt” hard times are often relative, and “counting our blessings and naming them one by one” – a practice well-known to be an effective pain-soothing salve for “felt needs” and more, is not often our default response to hardship. To be honest, I’m not among the few who often get this right. Perhaps this is why an article (not a key report by any means) in a Niles’ Register for July 1, 1820 caught my attention. It features a portion of a judge’s rather unusual admonition to the members of the grand jury set before him. If you decide to take a gander at the article (which is posted below), while contemplating his advice, please try to read it through the contextual eyes of the era in which he gave it. Whether you agree with his counsel or not, it would be hard to argue that the setting seems quite familiar. I’d love to hear what others think. 
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What are the chances? John Sutter… Yet another golden nugget!
March 7, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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Finding a newspaper with a report on the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill is not an easy task. Many newspapers either “didn’t get the news”, decided it wasn’t worth the print space, or delayed reporting it so as to be sure it wasn’t fake news. However, when found, the newspaper containing new of the discovery is quite collectible. Considering the near infinite possibilities where gold might have been found, what are the chances a report from this remote, almost random location would have been printed on the opposite side of the country, Washington, D.C., approximately 4 years prior? If odds-makers were taking bets, my hunch is that there wouldn’t have been any takers. However, against all odds, the article, albeit unrelated to the discovery of gold, was printed in the National Intelligencer dated June 25, 1844. Speaking of “discoveries”, we were quite pleased to find the report (which is shown below). Fun!
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Who’s Who in Newspapers – Robert Smalls edition…
March 3, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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The 9th installment of Who’s Who in Newspapers
Let’s explore for a moment. Would you leave your small child alone in your car with the engine running? Might you ask your best friend, who happens to be a recovering alcoholic, to watch your house – and especially your liquor cabinet, while your family is on vacation? Would you have your dog guard the steaks you’re grilling so you can take a bathroom break? Continuing in the food category (yes, I’m hungry), would you leave a tray of fresh-baked cookies out in the open during your 5-year-old’s birthday celebration and leave for 30 minutes expecting all would still be present upon your return? I’m guessing the answer to all of the above would be a resounding “NO, of course not.” In fact, “What were you thinking?” would be any observer’s reasonable response.
How about this one? If you were the captain of a confederate vessel holding a number of “quite capable” slaves, would you and a large portion of the crew leave them unshackled and largely unguarded so you could enjoy a bit of shore-leave? Before you say, “No capta07in would be so foolish”, it would be worth your time to read about Robert Smalls‘ and his enslaved companions’ escape from the Charleston Harbor on the USS Planter during the Civil War. An article printed in the New-York Tribune date May 24, 1862 is shown below. However, after (hopefully) enjoying the article, it might be worth your time to read more about the event and this fascinating man. Two possibilities are the brief summary found on Wikipedia and/or author Cate Lineberry’s, “Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls’ Escape from Slavery to Union Hero“. Once again, I am grateful much about him was chronicled in the newspapers of his day – making him an easy edition to “Who’s Who in Newspapers”.
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Announcing: Catalog #352 for March 2025 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
February 28, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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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 #341 for April, 2024 – Rare & Early Newspapers…
Collecting Newspapers – The Basics (Part I) – Eras, Topics, and Titles…
February 24, 2025 by GuyHeilenman · Leave a Comment Email This Post
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We, (Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers), have been offering old and historic newspapers to the collecting community since 1976, with Tim’s first acquisition for his own personal collection taking place in 1975. For those who are either unfamiliar with or new to this amazing hobby, today we are kicking off a revisit of a series of posts, “Collecting Newspapers – The Basics”, to serve en masse as a Primer for those interested in learning more about the collectible. The first installment (below) may appear to be a bit self-serving, but the heart behind it is simply to let seekers know the span of topics and types of newspapers which can be found.
So, what can be found on the pages of Rare & Early Newspapers? While the possibilities are nearly endless, a sampling includes:
Eras: Colonial, Early 1800’s Americana, Reconstruction, Industrial Revolution, Old West, Victorian, Roaring 20’s, “The 60’s”, and similar, plus an abundance of war-eras (French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Texas-Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, etc.). Some prefer to collect by centuries (1600’s, 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s, and now, even the 2000’s).
Topics: Black Americana, Mormon, Gangsters & Outlaws, Judaica, Sports & Entertainment, Inventors & Inventions, Gunfights, Deaths of the Famous, Politics, Presidents, Proclamations, Amendments, Historic SCOTUS Decisions, Trials & Tragedies, Slavery, Famous 1sts & Records, Movie Premiers, Famous Illustrators, and more.
Titles: Oxford/London Gazette, Harper’s Weekly, Frank Leslie’s, Scientific American, Gentleman’s Magazine, London Gazette, Village Voice, Sporting News, and nearly 1,000 other newspaper titles from throughout the United States, along with dozens specifically from the Old West and Colonial eras. Rare & unusual titles are also desirable.
People: Pick any famous person from the 1600’s through 20th century, regardless of the genre or genres for which they are known, newspapers will have undoubtedly recorded what brought their name into public awareness.
Historical Events: Without making a feeble attempt to list examples, if an event has an historical bent, not only will newspapers have recorded it, but they will have done so within the context of the period in which it happened. This is one of the reasons why many writers of both non-fiction and historical fiction seek newspapers from the time and (if possible) location of when and where an event took place. Newspapers make wonderful source material.
These and additional collecting themes can be found on the homepage of RareNewspapers.com. Also take note of the “View All Categories” tab on the right side towards the bottom of the page. If you don’t see what you are looking for, let us know. Our effort to add links to the collecting interests of those who appreciate old newspapers is ongoing.
Additional collecting themes/ideas can also be found throughout this Blog.
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