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.
BABE RUTH CALLS HIS SHOT!
The New York Times
October 2, 1932
Condition: Pristine
LISTEN TO THE CALLED SHOT!
As a Chicago Cubs fan, this newspaper is even more collectible because it reports on the Cubs in the 1932 World Series. But what makes this newspaper even more valuable is that it details Babe Ruth’s famous called homerun. In game three of the World Series with the Cubs, Ruth points to a spot in the center field stands and then hit a home run in that very area! As The New York Times reported:
“A single lemon rolled out to the plate as Ruth came up in the fifth and in no mistaken motions the Babe notified the crowd that the nature of his retaliation would be a wallop right out of the confines of the park. Root pitched two balls and two strikes, while Ruth signaled with his fingers after each pitch to let the spectators know exactly how the situation stood. Then the mightiest blow of all fell. It was a tremendous smash that tore straight down the center of the field in an enormous arc, came down alongside the flagpole, and disappeared behind the corner formed by the scoreboard and the end of the right field bleachers. The crowd, suddenly unmindful of everything save that it had just witnessed an epic feat, hailed the Babe with a salvo of applause.”
The New York Yankees beat the Cubs that game 7-5, taking a 3-0 lead in the series. Lou Gehrig also hit two home runs. The giant Sunday edition of The Times also includes several great photos of Ruth crossing the plate following one of his homers. This is the quintessential sports newspaper for any collector, but most certainly for the baseball fans.
Prelude to World War II: Czechoslovakia Dissolved
Illinois State Register
March 14, 1939
Condition: Pristine condition with slight browning on edges
This pristine, displayable Illinois State Register newspaper is dated March 14, 1939, only five short months before the German invasion of Poland, which started World War II. The giant headline reads: CZECHOSLOVAKIA DISSOLVED! and includes extensive pre-war coverage with a map of the resulting states (Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Ruthenia). The dissolved Czechoslovakia opened the way for Nazi occupation and the separation of Slovakia, which became a German Protectorate. By March 15, 1939, Prague was occupied by German forces and the U.S. embassy closed on March 21.
PEARL HARBOR: 1,500 KILLED IN HAWAII
Illinois State Register
December 8, 1941
Condition: Excellent (Fine) condition with slight fold creases and slight browning at horizontal spine
This is an unbelievably frameable issue of the Illinois State Register (Springfield, Illinois) from December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. A giant headline reads: 1,500 KILLED IN HAWAII and WAR RESOLUTION IS OKAYED BY CONGRESS. The newspaper is in fine condition with slight fold creases and slight browning at the horizontal spine.
