Philadelpha Inquirer - Lincoln Assassination: The Funeral Car and Coffin Issue
The Philadelphia Inquirer
April 20, 1865
Union Occupation Newspaper from South Carolina
Palmetto Herald
Aug. 11, 1864
Texas Confederate Newspaper - Pony Express
Tri-Weekly Telegraph
June 24, 1863
Complete 1865 Bound Volume of Harper’s Weekly - Reports and Illustrations of the Final Days of The Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination, Etc.
Harper’s Weekly (New York)
1865 Volume IX - BOUND VOLUME
Complete 1865 bound volume includes several amazing Civil War and Lincoln assassination issues, in addition to Thomas Nast illustrations. Many historians consider April 1865 the single most pivotal month in the history and livlihood of the United States of America. The bound volume includes the famous April 29 Lincoln assassination issue, the May 6 issue with a full front page illustration of Lincoln and his son, Tad, and a dramatic full page illustration of Lincoln’s death bed. The March 18 issue features Lincoln’s second inauguration. The January 7 issue is Sherman’s March and December 30 has a beautiful Santa Claus illustration by Thomas Nast. Countless other amazing issues regarding the last year of the Civil War. This is the most sought-after volume of Harper’s Weekly with many of the most rare and desired Harper’s Weekly issues. Sold separately, all these 1865 issues would probably total more than $4000! Very nice condition.
Abraham Lincoln Shot at Ford’s Theatre! - April 15, 1865 New York Times
The New York Times
April 15, 1865
This is it. Arguably one of the most sought after newspapers of any time, any topic and any collector. The day after Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre. The headlines read “AWFUL EVENT - PRESIDENT LINCOLN SHOT BY AN ASSASSIN” and “The Deed Done at Ford’s Theatre Last Night” - “The Act of a Desparate Rebel” - “Attempted Assassination of Secretary Seward” - “Rumored Attempt on the Life of Mr. Stanton” - “Details of the Dreadful Tragedy.”
This and the New York Herald are the two most highly sought after Lincoln assassination issues. Unlike the New York Herald April 15 issue, which is often scrutinized for authenticity, the New York Times is not known for having reproductions. As such, this is an undoubtedly authentic April 15, 1865 Lincoln assassination newspaper, in its entirety, with extensive front page coverage of the awful event. Mourning borders. Other great Civil War coverage. Very nice condition with slight fold creases, amazingly sharp edges. Easily the best condition April 15 issue of any New York paper I’ve ever seen. Here is some of the copy from the front page:
The President was shot in a theatre tonight and is perhaps mortally wounded. Secretary Seward was also assassinated.
President Lincoln and wife, with other friends, this evening visited Ford’s Theatre for the purpose of witnessing the performance of the “American Cousin.”
The theatre was densely crowded, and everybody seemed delighted with the scene before them. During the third act, and while there was a temporary pause for one of the actors to enter, a sharp report of a pistol was heard, which merely attracted attention, but suggesting nothing serious, until a man rushed to the front of the President’s box, waving a long dagger in his right hand, and exclaiming “Sic simper tyrannis,” and immediately leaped from the box, which was in the second tier, to the stage beneath, and ran across to the opposite side, making his escape amid the bewilderment of the audience from the rear of the theatre, and mounting a horse, fled.
The screams of Mrs. Lincoln first disclosed the fact to the audience that the President had been shot, when all present rose to their feet, rushing toward the stage, many exclaiming “Hang him! Hang him!”
There was a rush toward the President’s box, when cries were heard: “Stand back and give him air.” “Has any one stimulants.” On a hasty examination, it was found that the President had been shot through the head, above the back of the temporal bone, and that some of the brain was oozing out.
First Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln - The Baltimore Plot
The New York Tribune
February 26, 1861
This is a rare complete newspaper reporting on the THE BALTIMORE PLOT, a plan to ASSASSINATE PRESIDENT-ELECT ABRAHAM LINCOLN en route to his first inauguration in Washington, DC, in 1861.
Prominent front page headlines and report of the plot. There is also a long detailed front page report of the exact arrangements and schedule for the inauguration of LINCOLN on March 4, 1861. Great display and excellent condition!!! Some of the front page reads:
The people of this city were astounded this morning by an announcement that Mr. Lincoln had started in a special train for Washington, dispatches having been received requiring his presence in Washington. Reports are busily circulated that there was a plot to assassinate him while passing through Baltimore, but such stories are not believed. The Baltimore Committee is here but did not have an interview with Mr. Lincoln.
The change in Mr. Lincoln’s programme of travel from Harrisburg to Washington was induced solely by an official communication from General Scott, predicated upon sufficient information which he had received of the danger of a riot at Baltimore, and probably of a desperate determination at assault on the route.
New York Herald Abraham Lincoln Assassination Newspaper - April 17, 1865
New York Herald (New York)
April 17, 1865
This is a spectacular April 17th issue of the New York Herald covering the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth. Wonderful eight-page rag paper with very nice front-page coverage of the assassination and death of Lincoln. Paper is in spectacular condition with some period pencil writing that doesn’t distract (see photos). The Anti-Lincoln New York Heralds are the most desirable of the Lincoln Assassination papers. The April 15 issue is arguably the most desired newspaper ever, but it is so frequently reproduced that finding an authentic is nearly impossible. Here is your chance to own a New York Herald from only two days later… no doubt authentic. I’ve seen upclose April 15, 16 and 17 issues of the New York Herald before and this is easily the best condition of any I’ve ever seen. The headline reads OUR GRIEF. Other headlines give a hint as to the great reports found throughout the front page and inside pages, such as “Additional Details of the Terrible Event of Friday Night” - “Incidents Connected with the Sad Affair” - “Scene of the Murder” - “Developments Showing the Assassination to Have Been a Deep Laid and Deliberately Planned Conspiracy” - “Mournful Appearance of the National Capital” - “Sorrow in the Metropolis” - “Nearly Every Building Draped in Mourning” - “The Services in the Churches Yesterday” - “The New President” - “Official Account of His Inauguration” - “Secretary Seward Out of Danger” - “The Assassin Saves His Life” - and much, much more.
First Report of Abraham Lincoln Assassination - April 15, 1865
The Evening Bulletin (Providence, Rhode Island)
April 15, 1865
First report, front page coverage of the Lincoln assassination paper on April 15, 1865, the day of his death. “First Edition, The nation’s Sorrow Hour, The President Dead, The Official Announcement, The Assassins Identified, Mr. W.H. Seward Reviving.” Very nice condition. Other great Civil War coverage.
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.
Weeks Following The Lincoln Assassination
The New York Times
May 10, 1865
The New York Times on May 10, 1865 included the following headlines and reports: “IMPORTANT PROCLAMATIONS - The Belligerent Rights of the Rebels at the End. All Nations Warned Against Harboring Their Privateers.” And “Restoration of the Law in the State of Virginia.” Some great reading about “The Flight of Jefferson Davis” and his probable capture. The newspaper is full of coverage about the Lincoln assassination, the end of Civil War coverage and includes multiple speeches of the time. In the weeks immediately following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, newspapers had a lot to report - John Wilkes Booth, the assassination conspiracy, Lincoln’s funeral and burial, the end of the Civil War and much more. This newspaper captures the American emotions of the time.
