The Boston Massacre detailed in the complete 1770 bound volume of the Gentleman’s Magazine - Prelude to the Revolutionary War
The Gentleman’s Magazine (London) - Bound Volume 1770
One of the best, most complete and extensive reports of the BOSTON MASSACRE is held on these pages. The BOSTON MASSACRE sparked the rebellion in the colonies that eventually culminated in the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
APRIL - The entirety of page 2 of the APRIL issue is taken up with an excellent & historic report of the Boston Massacre, with a heading: “AMERICAN AFFAIRS” and the article prefaced with: “The following Report of the Committee of the Town of Boston, transmitted to Governor Pownal, is the most authentic Account of the late Tumult there.” This detailed account gives all the particulars with comments including: “…a quarrel arose between some of the soldiers of the 29th & the ropemakers journeymen…a party of 7 or 8 soldiers…by orders fired upon the inhabitants, promiscuously, in King Street, without the least warning of their intention, and killed three on the spot; another has since died of his wounds…Captain Preston & his party are now in jail…” with much more. The authentic account of the Boston Massacre is signed by “Your most faithful and obedient servants… JOHN HANCOCK, SAM. ADAMS, W. MOLINEAUX, JOSHUA HENSHAW, WM. PHILLIPS, JOS. WARREN, SAM PEMBERTON.” This entire report covers one full page with the adjacent page containing another masthead with “The Gentleman’s Magazine April 1770″ so this is an unbelievable frame-worthy issue. And these are among the best quality pages in the issue with strong printing.
JUNE - The JUNE issue contains more reports of the “Massacre” - possibly the earliest periodical description of the March 1770 events as a Massacre June also includes a report on a planned slave uprising in JAMAICA that was found out and thwarted by the (White) authorities. This is a report of an early American slave rebellion.
AUGUST - The AUGUST issue includes a long detailed essay on “No Taxation without Representation” of the American Colonies by Great Britain.
OCTOBER - The OCTOBER issue includes a long and detailed letter written by the Virginia House of Burgesses to the King of Great Britain protesting the “Taxation without Representation” by England of its American Colonies. Signed in type by Payton Randolph, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses.
NOVEMBER - The NOVEMBER issue features a report that Catherine the Great, Queen of Russia, has issued an order that all JEWS now living in Russia leave the country, in short order. There is also a report that Pennsylvania has appointed BEN FRANKLIN to be its Representative to Great Britain. There is also a report of the indictment in Boston of British Captain PRESTON for his role in the BOSTON MASSACRE.
SEPTEMBER - The SEPTEMBER issue includes a full page with news from Britain’s American Colonies including a long and detailed letter from the merchants of Philadelphia to their counterparts in New York, supporting the American boycott of British goods and the nonimportation of British raw goods as well as part of the Boston Massacre aftermath.
JANUARY - The JANUARY issue includes a History and Antiquity of Berkley Castle (in Gloucershire, England).
FEBRUARY - The FEBRUARY issue includes a “New Plan for an American Town” with a map and references of how that town should look. February also includes a great American Affairs section with two long letters containing evidence of the tension between the New York Colony and England. Mentions “A Son of Liberty.”
MARCH - MARCH includes a “Genuine copy of a letter from the E. of Hillsborough to the Hon. Major General Gage, by which it will appear that what view, and for what purposes Troops were ordered to America, and quartered in the Town of Boston.”
DECEMBER - The DECEMBER issue includes coverage of the entire trial of British Captain Preston for his complicity in the BOSTON MASSACRE.
8.5 x 5 inches(h x w)/boards are covered with a kind of marbled paper and spine with a yellowish, and coated with a shellacked finish/628 pages, followed by 12 pages of Indexes/13 illustration plate-pages (one of which folds-out)/4 maps (three are fold-out and the last folding): 1) An Accurate Map of the Seat Of War in the Mediterranean including the Morea and Archipelago (8.25 x 9.5 inches, h x w); 2) A Map of Falklands Islands (8.25 x 10 inches); 3) A Plan of Constantinople (8.25 x 10 inches); 4) A New and Accurate Map of Turkey In Europe (9.5 x 11 inches).
The 1770 volume detailing the Boston Massacre is one of the most desirable of all Gentleman’s Magazines.
The Great Chicago Fire Newspapers: A Complete Calendar Week of Newspaper Describing Every Detail of the City in Ruin
THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE (Set of seven newspapers from the week of the fire – the complete calendar week)
The New York Times - October 9, 1871
The New York Times - October 10, 1871
The New York Times - October 11, 1871
The New York Times - October 12, 1871
The New York Times - October 13, 1871
The New York Times - October 14, 1871
The New York Times - October 15, 1871
This is an entire calendar week of complete Chicago Fire coverage as it unfolded with each issue featuring extensive front page coverage - two of which have giant maps. This is an absolutely unbelievable mini-collection for any history buff, and certainly any Chicagoan. You can read exactly how the Chicago Fire burned from Sunday, October 8 to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about four square miles in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S. disasters of the 19th century, the rebuilding that began almost immediately spurred Chicago’s development into one of the most populous and economically important American and international cities. Headlines include: “FIRES IN CHICAGO,” “A CITY IN RUINS,” “THE RUINED CITY,” “DESOLATED CHICAGO,” and “REVIVING CHICAGO.”
The Famous Dewey Defeats Truman Newspaper: For Sale and In The Best Condition We’ve Ever Seen!
Chicago Daily Tribune
November 3, 1948
Condition: Unbelievable condition – the best we’ve ever seen
This specific exact “Dewey Defeats Truman” issue of the Chicago Daily Tribune has only been in the possession of two others. The first owner and her brother had operated a newspaper distribution company during the 1940’s and 50’s, 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 Co. 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 and this is an issue from that bundle.
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 snook 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.
Treaty of Paris Newspaper: The End of The Revolutionary War
The Connecticut Journal
October 1, 1783
This is a truly rare gem of a Revolutionary War newspaper because it’s an American newspaper that actually contains FRONT PAGE news about the definitive Treaty of Paris, which represented peace between America and England. You can sense from the reports that Americans were euphoric and this thing is jam-packed with at least three or four mentions of the treaty and peace. Also mentions General Washington’s “Valedictory Letter” and “West-Point.”
FRONT PAGE
“Advices received from Paris, dated June 20, say that the Definitive Treaty is now arrived at that degree of maturity, that nothing waits for its final completion but the return of the last courier from the court of London….”
SECOND PAGE
“The good consequences of the peace are now universally felt…
“Two of the regiments which arrived here the beginning of July last, lately returned to West-Point.
“We are informed, that an Order of the King in Council, dated the second day of July, and published in this Gazette September 10th, respecting the ships of Great-Britain, (owned by his Majesty’s subjects) being the sole carriers of certain articles, the growth and production of the United States of America , to any of the British West-India Islands …”
THIRD PAGE
“The compensation for the losses sustained by the Loyalists in America , is to be made up by the monies arising from the sale of the King’s Forests and Crown Lands in Great-Britain, which will be more than sufficient for that purpose….
“The Tobago (perhaps an error for tobacco?) Business has terminated much to the satisfaction of the Planters and Traders, which indicates, among other events, the speedy ratification of the Definitive Treaty…
“General Washington’s Valedictory Letter has been received, read with universal admiration, and pronounced to be wonderfully well written…
“There is no longer any talk of difficulties in the Definitive Treaties; every thing is said to be amicably adjusted throughout, and waits only for some explanations from America , which are the more necessary to put measures upon a secure and permanent footing; that the commerce of America may not be productive of future animosities…
“THE DEFINITIVE TREATY is not yet signed, owing, it is said, to a Disagreement between the Courts of London and Madrid , respecting the Floridas and the Bahama Islands – Great Preparations are making for War, in the Naval Department here; but the Design is not publicly known.”
George Washington Farewell Orders to the Army, 1783! Revolutionary War Newspaper!
Connecticut Journal
November 19, 1783
For sale: $1,950
Offered here is the Nov 19, 1783 Connecticut Journal, with the complete speech of George Washington’s farewell orders to the armies! The historic lengthy speech is printed in full on page three with a nice heading. A superb Revolutionary War newspaper! The paper is in nice untrimmed condition, with two minor folds.
NEWSPAPER WITH EULOGY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON…
American Farmer and Dutchess County Advertiser (Poughkeepsie, New York)
January 21, 1800
“First in war–first in Peace–first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none…”
Most men can only hope to be described in such glowing terms! Offered here is the complete eulogy of George Washington, as given by Henry Lee. With a nice bold FRONT PAGE headline, Lee’s complete eulogy is printed(including the famous quote), commemorating the life of the illustrious George Washington. This scarce title, The Jan 21, 1800 American Farmer and Dutchess County Advertiser, Poughkeepsie , New York is absolutely gorgeous!
Stamp Act Newspaper! Only known example of this date and title in existence!
Connecticut Courant
April 15, 1765
Presented here is one of the earliest American newspaper printings of the Stamp Act, featured in the April 15, 1765 Connecticut Courant newspaper. According to Brigham’s history and bibliography of American newspapers, this is the only known example of this date and title in existence! With ultra rarity on one side, and a printing of the dreaded Stamp Act that started the American Revolution on the other, this paper is dripping with historical significance!
Printed in here is the jaw dropping comprehensive list of the taxable goods that the colonists were to be forced to pay! One can only imagine the dreadful feeling a store owner would have had when he held this paper in his hand back in 1765. That dreadful feeling is gone to history forever, but the messenger and cause is not…it is right here, a breathing document that takes us as close as we can get to the infancy of our country!
George Washington’s 1st State of the Union Address. FIRST NEWSPAPER PRINTING!
Gazette of the United States
January 9, 1790
The very first printing of George Washington’s first state of the union address is printed right here in the Jan 9, 1790 Gazette of the United States! Printed the very next day after he gave his address, and in the very same city he gave it! It is extremely rare and desirable to have an 18th century paper containing a report of the event, THE DAY AFTER IT OCCURRED! Previously estimated by Sotheby’s at $7,000 to $9,000, this paper will anchor a collection.
Battle of Lexington and Concord! The Shot Heard Around the World! Revolutionary War Newspaper!
“DISPERSE YOU REBELS, DAMN YOU, THROW DOWN YOUR ARMS AND DISPERSE.”
Pennsylvania Post
May 11, 1775
Highlighted by the historic and RARE quote above, this May 11, 1775 Pennsylvania Post contains an exciting and detailed account on the historic battle of Lexington and Concord !! The lengthy report opens with terrible news that his Majesty’s forces have commenced hostilities, and by which we are now involved in all the horrors of a civil war! The reporting continues with news of the legendary events of the battle, including the detail about the British landing by boat (this being “One if by land, two if by sea”), and the alarm being spread (Paul Revere’s ride). These two events have reached legendary status in our lore. Every school children has heard of them, and it is incredible to find the actual report of them in a newspaper from when it happened.
The report then gets to the confrontation, and this is where the paper becomes legendary with the bold quote “DISPERSE YOU REBELS, DAMN YOU, THROW DOWN YOUR ARMS AND DISPERSE.” It is very rare and quite exciting to have a paper that contains this quote. Nobody knows for certain what was exactly said, or who exactly fired the first shot…but both are reported quite well in this newspaper!
The superb report continues with nice detail of the chaotic battle, and the running fight back towards Boston …wrapping up what is one of the best reports on the famous battle of Lexington and Concord .
