ULTRA RARE: Benjamin Franklin’s Famous Philadelphia Gazette from 1748!

The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia)
December 1, 1748

This is an ultra rare colonial newspaper and easily one of the most famous papers of the era because it was printed by Benjamin Franklin as indicated by the imprint at the bottom of the back page that famously states “PHILADELPHIA: Printed by B. FRANKLIN, Post-Master, and D. HALL, at the New-Printing-Office near the market.”

This imprint only appeared in the Gazette through 1765 and according to one newspaper historian, many issues of this period are not found with the imprint as it often appeared on the advertising leaf, commonly thrown away. Even more rare is finding a pre-1750 issue! At this time, only 12 colonial newspapers even existed. This is a complete issue in absolutely fantastic condition with all four pages and the Franklin imprint intact.

This front page features international news from Constantinople, London, Paris, Brussels, Madrid and much more. Inside the issue includes a “humble Address of the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of Philadelphia,” and signed in type by “CHARLES WILLING, Mayor.” In response to the Mayor’s address, the Governor responds with a letter of his own. Local reports also discuss recent imports, deserters, stray away horses, ship news, advertisements, etc. A runaway notice decribes the person as “a servant maid, named Margaret Philips, about 30 years of age, of middle size, with large breasts and can sing well, and dance the ropes, with many other tricks…” A final statement on the inside pages says “All persons indebted to B. Franklin, for a years Gazette, or more, are desired to pay.”

Launched on December 24, 1728, the Pennsylvania Gazette was one of the first Colonial newspapers ever. 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 decidedly a better newspaper than the Courant, more 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.

Filed Under 1700s, All Newspapers 

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