The Most Famous Newspaper Ever Issued
The “Dewey Defeats Truman” edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune - November 3, 1948 - is arguably the most famous newspaper ever issued. Only a few hundred copies have survived (often the front cover only), but most are shredded or heavily worn.
On election night - November 2, 1948 - Truman snuck away from reporters covering him in Kansas City and made his way to nearby Excelsior Springs, Missouri, a small resort town. He got a hotel room, took a bath, and went to sleep. Throughout the night, radio reports confidently predicted that, despite a Truman lead, the late returns would propel Dewey to victory. Around 4 a.m., Truman awoke and heard on the radio that his lead was nearly two million votes - a sure win. He rode back to Kansas City and later that day - now November 3 - he traveled to Washington, DC by train.
Throughout the night, returns were coming in slow and many of the regular Chicago Daily Tribune staff were out on strike, leaving inexperienced typesetters at the helm. With time running out before the printing deadline, the inexperienced Tribune staff ran the “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline. On top of that, they used a typewriter for the front page and portions of a few others. For the sake of time, instead of erasing typos or incorrect numbers, they “x”ed over them with the typewriter. And with the headline error being so dramatic, few folks know about the upside down type. That’s right, in the far right hand column, there are five lines of type upside down!
After delivery of the paper, it soon became apparent that Truman would win after all. Panic set in at the Tribune offices and staff was sent out with trucks and station wagons to gather the error papers from news stands and suburban homes.
Truman, on a short train stop in St. Louis, was presented with one of the “Dewey Defeats Truman” papers while on the back platform of the train. See famous photo above. When asked to comment, Truman said “this is for the books.” And, sure enough, the image of Truman holding the error “Dewey Defeats Truman” issue of the Chicago Daily Tribune is in practically every high school history book.
Thousands of the error papers were retrieved but many remained in the hands of customers. This original issue pictured at left (click to enlarge) has only been in the hands of two people and includes a great story. According to the second owner, the first owner and her brother operated a newspaper distribution company during the 1940s and 50s, and a bundle of these papers had been dropped off during the normal late night train delivery. Upon learning that the election was turning in favor of Truman, the Tribune Company instructed the distributors to stop delivery of this early edition. The brother and sister placed one of the bundles in a cedar chest where it stayed, unexposed to light or heat for 44 years. The issue has remained unexposed to light since then.
For collectors, a complete, pristine issue of the original Dewey Defeats Truman paper runs $1500 to $3000.
Diversify Your Investments with Historic Newspapers
Between your 401K, IRA and those Apple shares you’re sitting on, you have most of your money in securities and equities. You’ve got a shrinking cash cushion and the value of your house is tanking. You may want to further diversify your portfolio.
Instead of scratch-and-win lottery tickets, why not consider collectibles? A collectible is an appreciating asset that is either rare or desired by many. Stamps, coins, fine art and sports cards are the most common collectibles, but the most appropriate collectible for marketing and media executives is historic newspapers. When framed, rare newspapers also make for unique and interesting wall art around the office.
Given the state of news media and the possible extinction of the printed newspaper, this collectible is the perfect relic for new and traditional media enthusiasts alike. Even better, unlike old baseball cards and coins, which have millions in circulation, historic newspapers are scarce. Back in the early 1700s, the earliest newspapers only printed a few hundred copies. As such, many of these early issues, when found today, are truly one-of-a-kind. The unbelievably rare newspapers go for thousands of dollars and more, but there are relatively few newspaper collectors in existence today so you can easily find museum-quality newspapers for a couple hundred dollars or less. That won’t last forever.
Previously, we discussed the most popular 20th century newspaper — Dewey Defeats Truman — so now let’s cover some of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The oldest continually published newspaper in the world began printing in Oxford, England on November 16, 1665 while King Charles II was avoiding the plague. It was called the Oxford Gazette (click image to enlarge) and many sources, including Britannica and newspaper historians, consider it to be the first English-language newspaper (it was the first to fit the definition of the term “newspaper”). After the 23rd issue of the Oxford Gazette, the King felt the plague was subsiding so he moved the paper back to London where it resumed as the London Gazette. While it originated as a weekly paper, the Gazette continues to be published each weekday in 2008 as an official record of British government. Any of the first 23 Oxford Gazette issues are worth more than $1,000 each - most reaching north of $5,000.
Across the pond, the first American newspapers began printing in the early 1700s. The Pennsylvania Gazette, started on December 24, 1728, was only the eighth newspaper printed in the colonies, and only the fourth outside of Boston.
Benjamin Franklin bought the Gazette in 1729 and gave the paper a brightness and liveliness unknown before to any colonial paper except his brother’s New England Courant, according to “American Journalism” by Frank Luther Mott. But the Gazette was a much better newspaper than the Courant - more well-rounded with “superior news handling, greater advertising and a handsomer appearance,” wrote Mott. “Franklin was more fully aware of the possibilities, limitations and responsibilities of colonial journalism than were most of his fellow editors,” Mott added.
For collectors, it is extremely rare to find pre-1750 issues of this Benjamin Franklin-printed newspaper. An issue in one of the finest conditions ever encountered is pictured at left (click to enlarge). I’ve been told there are auction records of pre-1750 Pennsylvania Gazettes to $11,000!
The Story of Journalist Henry Stanley, I Presume
The story of journalist Henry Stanley starts out with Dr. David Livingstone. Livingstone traveled to Africa in 1840 as a missionary/explorer/physician and spent most of his adult life traveling the continent. “In 1866, Livingstone set out at the head of an expedition charged with the task of finding the headwaters of the Nile River. His lack of contact with the outside world over a period of four years raised concerns for his welfare,” according to Eyewitness to History.
As a publicity stunt, New York Herald Publisher James Gordon Bennett, Jr. sent explorer and journalist Henry Stanley to find what he termed “the lost” Dr. David Livingstone in the middle of Africa. Stanley went to Africa and, with the help of natives, did find Livingstone and began sending reports back to the Herald, according to historian and newspaper collector Mark Mitchell.
According to Wikipedia, Stanley found Livingstone on November 10, 1871, in Ujiji near Lake Tanganyika in present-day Tanzania, and greeted him with the immortal, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Wikipedia goes on to say:
This famous phrase may be a fabrication, as Stanley has torn out the pages of this encounter in his diary[3] Even Livingstone’s account of this encounter doesn’t mention these words. However, the phrase appears in a New York Herald editorial dated 10 August, 1872 and the Encyclopaedia Britannica and the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography both quote it without questioning its validity.
Unfortunately, Wikipedia got the New York Herald issue date wrong. The first report actually ran on July 2, 1872. Click the image above to enlarge the masthead. In this extremely rare issue, a giant map of equatorial Africa is included with the inside headlines “LIVINGSTONE” and “Herald Special from Central Africa.” Within the giant story is the famous quote “Doctor Livingstone, I presume?” According to Mitchell, he has only seen two of these issues in 30 years of collecting.
Small Pox and Plague Reports in Extremely Rare 1667 London Newspaper
London Gazette
December 5 to December 9, 1667 (Numb. 215)
This rare 1667 issue of the London Gazette features reports of small pox, plague, Spanish horses, “Ratification of the Treaty,” and West-India Company.
The London Gazette is the oldest continually-published newspaper in the world. It began printing in Oxford, England on November 16, 1665 while King Charles II was avoiding the plague. It was called the Oxford Gazette and many sources, including Britannica and newspaper historian Mark Mitchell, consider it to be the first English-language newspaper (it was the first to fit the definition of the term “newspaper”). After the 23rd issue of the Oxford Gazette, the King felt the plague was subsiding so he moved the paper back to London where it resumed as the London Gazette. While it originated as a weekly paper, the Gazette continues to be published each weekday in 2008 as an official record of British government. Many of the first 23 Oxford Gazette issues are worth close to $5,000 - this complete issue of the London Gazette is $450 and in excellent condition.
Rare Volume 1 Issue of American Colonial Newspaper
The Pennsylvania Chronicle (Philadelphia)
August 24-31, 1767
Condition: very fine, slight foxing and disbound from volume so extremely well preserved
The Pennsylvania Chronicle (Philadelphia) from August 24-31, 1767 is a very early American Colonial newspaper and this is a gorgeous, extremely rare Volume I issue with content on the Billeting Act. The Pennsylvania Chronicle is most famous for first printing the “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies,” which are considered by some to be the most brilliant contribution to American political literature before the Revolution. The letters were printed just three months after this issue. The Chronicle was founded in January 1767 by William Goddard. It had been first printed in Benjamin Franklin’s old shop on a press formerly used by the master, according to American Journalism by Frank Luther Mott.
British Reflections on American Independence, Treaty of Paris and Constitution
Gentleman’s Magazine
September 1788
Condition: Pristine condition in a new professional, hard-cover binding to keep the pages safe
The Gentleman’s Magazine (London) is the first publication to ever use the word “magazine” and the September 1788 features discussion of America’s Grand Federal Procession at Philadelphia with mention of INDEPENDENCE, the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, the DEFINITIVE TREATY OF PEACE, the FEDERAL SHIP UNION and the CONSTITUTION. “Ten Gentleman, representing the States that have ratified the Federal Constitution, each bearing a flag, with the name of the State he represents in gold letters, and walking arm in arm, emblematical of the Union; New Hampshire. Massachusetts. Connecticut. New Jersey. Pennsylvania. Delaware. Maryland. Virginia. South Carolina. Georgia.” “The Ship Union is 33 feet in length, her width and depth in due proportion. Her bottom is the barge of the ship alliance, and the lame barge which formerly belonged to the SERAPIS, and was taken in the memorable engagement of PAUL JONES, of the BONHOMME RICHARD, with the SERAPIS.”
The Foundations of American and the United States Constitution
Gazette of the United States
January 6, 1790
This is easily one of the most well-preserved 18th century newspapers I’ve ever seen and it is filled to the brim with early America and U.S. Constitution coverage. The January 6, 1790 issue of the Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia) is a significant “AMERICAN in the INFANCY of its EXISTENCE as a NATION” issue with fantastic insight into the debates and discussions of the foundations of AMERICA, the CONSTITUTION, the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, the founding of a NATIONAL BANK, how EUROPE is watching AMERICA’s PROGRESS with an attentive eye and many of her kingdoms are copying America’s example, and the FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS.
The Convention of North Carolina having, by a large majority, adopted the CONSTITUTION of the UNITED STATES, let us ardently hope, says a Correspondent, that each individual member of our Legislature, at their session in January, will come prepared to consider the MOMENTOUS SUBJECT divested of every unworthy local Prejudice, or Party Attachment.
“[To err is human.” Let us suppose it possible that we may have erred – let but reason resume her Empire, and the great work must be accomplished. “In tracing the late American war from its origin, we find there was no want of information, which could have been plead as an excuse on the part of that ministry, which precipitated the British nation into measures which have left an everlasting stigma on their councils – The following speech was founded on indisputable faces and from those, the enlightened patriot drew such inferences as carried irresistible conviction to the mind of all his hearers, many of whom anticipated the fatal consequences that would follow from not giving them due consideration; but a majority were devoted to a junte, whose obstinacy was every thing, but windmill proof. – House of Commons, March 8, 1775. London - Lord North’s Restraining Bill, Mr. Hartley moved, that the following clause be inserted in the bill, viz.
“Provided always, and be it further enacted that nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend to prohibit the importation into any or either of the said colonies or provinces of fuel, corn, meal, flour, or other victuals brought coastwise from any part of America… Besides, what construction can the town of Boston put upon your present measures, if you refuse the clause now offered? They will be besieged, as in actual war with any foreign enemy. General Gage has fortified the neck which joins Boston to the continent, by which he may intercept provisions; and by this bill you proclaim the same intention by sea. Do you expect that they will submit to be starved into passive obedience?… This bill, by destroying the North American fishery, not only destroys that nursery of seamen, but will disable the provinces, under the prohibition, from the means of paying their debts to this country, who therefore will finally be the sufferers… this is the unjust way in which the Americans have been treated, on all occasions.”
French Revolution Reports in American Newspaper; Message from President Washington
The Connecticut Journal (New Haven)
May 12, 1790
Condition: Fine condition with small tears and chipping on lower third of front page, right edge, not affecting text; slight foxing; slight fold marks
The Connecticut Journal (New Haven) was printed on a uniquely blue-dyed newspaper and the May 12, 1790 issue includes a letter from Paris regarding the French Revolution stating that “The National Assembly have made such progress in the constitution that I cannot immediately comply with the request you make me to inform you of all that they have done. I am however collecting those fundamental articles which may, with propriety, be termed constitutional… The French Revolution proceeds better than you could reasonably expect… I had frequent opportunities to see and converse with that truly great young man the Marquis de la Fayette. I did not think he could be so popular as I find he is. He is almost idolized by his countryman.”
In CONGRESS, “A message from the President of the United States, informing the house that the bill to regulate the military establishment of the United States has received his assent.” President George Washington was only in office one year at the time this newspaper was printed.
Also includes discussion of Native Americans - “The Indians captivated two lads… A representation from the chief counselors and warriors of the Six Indian nations is now before the executive of Pennsylvania.”
Early America and Government - George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia)
March 19, 1791
Condition: Very Good condition with only a very small chip (half the size of a pencil eraser) at the top of the page, not affecting text; slight foxing
Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia)
March 18, 1791
Condition: Very Good condition with only a tiny chip at top of pages (half the size of a pencil eraser) and tiny tears at top; binding in tact, slight foxing
The American Daily Advertiser on March 19, 1791 was a very insightful newspaper issue with “The partnership of John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole having expired this day” and front page coverage of C. Claypoole proposing to publish a newspaper entitled “The MAIL and NEW DAILY ADVERTISER.” According the paper, “The MAIL shall be printed with an elegant new TYPE… equal in size and quality to the Newspapers of Europe or America….” Signed in type D.C. Claypoole.
Regarding AMERICA (page two) – Legislature of Massachusetts - On Wednesday, a bill was brought in, read a first time and a committee, for preventing the destruction of bears, wolverines, musquash, black cats, and other animals, whose skins produce fur, in the months of June, July, August and September. The Japanese give the following names to the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the twelve divisions of the day – rat, cow, tiger, etc. Discussion of federal ACT entitled “an act to provide for mitigating or remitting the forfeitures and penalties accruing under the revenue laws…” and “Provided, that nothing in the said act shall be construed to limit or restrain the power of the President of the United States, to grant pardons for offenses against the United States.” Italicized type of Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Rep; JOHN ADAMS, Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate; “Approved, March the third, 1791 - GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States;” “Deposited among the rolls in the office of the Secretary of State - THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State.”
Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia) on March 18, 1791 featured discussion (page three) of a tax on beer in England. Other reports include “The revolution in France gets more strength.” Advertisements for slave for sale and runaway slave reward ($40 offered with thorough description) also in this issue.
The Days Following The Lincoln Assassination
The New York Times
April 19, 1865
The New York Times
April 25, 1865
Many historians consider April 1865 to be the single most important month in American history. In fact, the entire thesis to the book titled “April 1865″ is that the one month marked a turning point in American history. The days following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln (shot on April 14 and died on April 15) were filled with sadness and grieving, but also the end of the Civil War. Here are two newspapers that greatly capture the mood of American in April 1865.
The New York Times on April 19, 1865 featured extensive Lincoln and Civil War coverage with headlines and detailed reports like:”THE ASSASSINATION” and “NORTH CAROLINA,” with “The Capture of Raleigh” - “Johnston Avoids a Battle with Sherman” - “Capture of Gov. Vance, of North Carolina” - “Jeff. Davis Joins Johnston at Hillsboro” - and much more. The newspaper includes very detailed reports of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and is surrounded by thick, black, mourning borders.
The New York Times on April 25, 1865 included terrific Civil War coverage and more discussion of the plans to murder Lincoln as well as details of the funeral. The headlines read: “THE OBSEQUIES” - “President Lincoln’s Murder Planned in Canada” - “One of the Seward Assassins a St. Albans Robber” - “Official Day of Mourning Appointed” - “Progress of the Funeral Cortege from Philadelphia” - “Appearance of the Corpse” - “Full Particulars and Details of the Arrangements of Yesterday and To-Day.” The front page reports on the conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln.
