EARLY LOS ANGELES NEWSPAPER
ULYSSES S. GRANT FOR PRESIDENT!
INDIAN ATTACK IN TEXAS! TRAIN FALLS THROUGH A BRIDGE!
Evening Express, Los Angeles, California
Wednesday, July 31, 1872
Here is an amazing newspaper–a Los Angeles issue from 1872 during the Wild West period of outlaws, train robberies, Indian attacks, gunfights and more. From the wires of the Western Union Telegraph Line I see a report of an “Indian raid near Laredo in which seventeen persons were killed and many ranches and stores plundered and stock driven to Mexico.” In other news, “A passenger train on the Kansas Pacific Railroad fell through a bridge over Coon creek. Five emigrants were killed and several employees wounded!” I love the intricate illustrated ads including the “PIONEER STAGE LINE,” a great ad for a dentist with a teeth sketch, and the “Exchange Livery and Feed Stable.” The paper was a strong supporter of Gen. U.S. Grant for President in the 1872 Election.
Folks, this was Los Angeles well before Hollywood, Beverly Hills and MGM studios! I guarantee you’ll be up nights reading and re-reading this issue and showing it to everyone you know! Four pages, complete, and in fine, well-preserved condition. According to my references, this is the only known issue of this date in existence! If it were a rare coin, we’d be talking five figures! Newspapers are still on the ground floor of major collectibles!
$370
THE DALTON GANG SHOT DOWN!
NOTORIOUS OUTLAWS KILLED AFTER A WILD BANK ROBBERY!
They “Died with Their Boots On!”
The Helena Independent, Helena, Montana
Thursday, October 6, 1892
Front page headlines scream: “WIPED OUT. The Dalton Gang of Murderous Outlaws Die With Their Boots on.” An almost two-column, action-packed account begins: “COFFEYVILLE, Kan., Oct. 5–The Dalton gang has been exterminated, wiped off the face of the earth. Caught like rats in a trap, they were to-day shot down, but not until four citizens of this place yielded up their lives in the work of extermination.”
Raised near Coffeyville, the Daltons and their cohorts were originally on the side of the law, but turned to crime in 1890 as they met more and more bandits. The notorious gang stole horses, robbed trains and banks, becoming the number one outlaw gang in the Wild West.
This historic issue also reports the death of poet Afred Lord Tennyson with a superb bust sketch. There are also reports of early baseball games, and really fascinating advertisements from the Wild West.
The issue is 8 pages, complete and in excellent condition, beautifully preserved. In fact, it’s about the nicest 1890s newspaper we’ve ever seen! This is the only issue on the Dalton Gang that’s been in inventory, and will prove to be a cornerstone for the finest Western Collection. Please don’t miss it! The report on the shootout in Coffeyville is as exciting a newspaper account as I’ve personally ever read!
$1,500
ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S “HOUSE DIVIDED” SPEECH
“A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand.”
New York Semi-Weekly Tribune
June 25, 1858
Abraham Lincoln opens his campaign as the Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois of Stephen A. Douglas with an impassioned speech against slavery (but not slaveholders). Boldly headlined on page six: “REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES. SPEECH OF THE HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, OF ILLINOIS, At the Republican State Convention, June 16, 1858.” Lincoln states, in part, “We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was inititated with the avowed object and confident promise of putting an end to Slavery agitation…In my opinion, it will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.'” (a quote from Matthew 12, verse 25). Lincoln goes on to state, “I believe this Government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.” Lincoln’s speech is seconded in a superb Horace Greeley editorial which says, in part, “We need not ask attention to this concise and admirable statement. Mr. Lincoln never fails to make a good speech…and this is one of his best efforts. And its leading positions will be heartily indorsed by the great body of the Republicans of other States, as they already have been by those of Illinois.”
Eight pages, complete, and in fine, clean condition with old folds. Very few newspapers published Lincoln’s now legendary speech, and it is near impossible to locate another one anywhere. A very key opportunity for the Lincoln enthusiast/collector/scholar! SOLD
A STOCK PANIC IN 1857! WALL STREET IN ACTION
“The immense majority of the operations of the New York Stock Exchange are gambling devices.”
Harper’s Weekly, New York
September 12, 1857
Here is a large front page illustration, “THE NEW YORK STOCK BOARD IN SESSION,” shows bidding for stocks during a panic when major stocks fell 8-10% in a day, “and fortunes were made and lost between ten o’clock in the morning, and four of the afternoon.” Apparently, the biggest problem was speculation in stocks, and it is said that a great many merchants do so regularly hoping to make a quick killing (has anything really changed?). Here are some of the gems from the mesmerizing article on the Stock Exchange and Panic: “There are perhaps a hundred and fifty members altogether. Each pays $500 entrance fee, and is balloted for.” “The normal business of the Board is to effect the sales and purchases of stocks required by the outside public.”
Inside we find amazing sketches of Central Africa, so much of it just then being explored, and also plenty of discussion on the slavery question.
16 pages, complete, and in superb condition. A rare Volume I issue of Harper’s. This would make a GREAT gift for a broker! Frameable, too.
$275
AMAZING SKETCHES OF BERMUDA IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Also, a fascinating article: “SLAVES MOVING SOUTH.”
Harper’s Weekly, New York
March 21 1857
This first-year issue of the famed illustrated newspaper Harper’s Weekly, contains nine sketches on two full pages including historic St. George’s Town (now a stop for cruise ships), the Government House, the black inhabitants, and more including a full story on this beautiful island. For those that have had the good fortune to visit Bermuda (like myself), this is a treasure!
In addition, there is a short report on Virginia slaves being taken South to New Orleans to sell in the markets (this was termed the “Internal Slave Trade” that heartlessly broke up many black families). “Negroes were never so high as they are now. Mechanics are worth $2000, and laborers command $1500.”
16 pp., fully complete, and in near mint condition. Just a gem!
$150
THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTION–JOHN C. FREMONT NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT!
WILLIAM L. DAYTON CHOSEN AS THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDTATE;
ABRAHAM LINCOLN COMES IN SECOND PLACE!!
The Bangor Jeffersonian, Maine
June 24, 1856
Over four columns of page two are devoted to the “REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION” meeting in Philadelphia. “The first Republican convention in history, meeting in Philadelphia, chooses Colonel Fremont, a former California Senator, for President, and William L. Dayton of New Jersey for Vice-President.” There are complete details of the nominations and balloting statistics. Abraham Lincoln came in second for Vice President (I hadn’t known this fact). This newspaper strongly endorses the Republican ticket.
Amazing CIRCUS advertisement with numerous woodcut illustrations (see scans)! A very historic issue for the Republican in your life! Four large pages, very fine condition. Hours of historic entertainment, and you’ll want to show this to your family and friends!
$350
DESCRIPTION OF THE WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – THREE NEWSPAPERS
Evening Star, Washington, DC
December 15, 16 & 18, 1854 (three complete newspapers)
In a lengthy serialized report, the Navy Yard is described as a “Miniature World of Science, Art, and Industry.” Under the command of Captain Hiram Pauling, the yard has prospered and is called “the very life of the southeastern section of Washington, DC.” I’ve worked at the Navy Yard in a Reserve Unit so it’s fascinating to me to read how very different the Yard was in the 1850s. My favorite part of this report was “THE ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.” In part, “Near this (the cap machine) is a bullet machine (also novel and interesting) for making musket and pistol balls by compression between two dies.”
Each paper contains four pages of news, editorials, and ads from early Washington. The incredible “cure-all” potions and “medicines” are particularly interesting. These papers are hard to put down. As I’m from Washington, DC, I can relate to some of the addresses and places mentioned. Excellent condition throughout.
$295/set of three consecutive original newspapers
DEATH OF DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852)
One country, one constitution, one destiny
Exeter News-Letter, New Hampshire
Monday, November 1, 1852
This historic issue contains not one, but two lengthy articles announcing the death of one of America’s greatest statesmen and orators. One pieces says, in part: “DANIEL WEBSTER. One of the most illustrious men that ever flourished in the tide of time, one of those exponents of wisdom and truth which God occasionally endows with His richest gifts as a leader of our race, a man in whom centered thse elements that compose the structure of human greatness, one whose words took on the dignity and sanctity of oracles, has just finished his mortal career….The death of Mr. Webster leaves a vacuum in our national councils that no person now upon the stage of active life gives promise of filling.”
The advertisements and notices are really fantastic in this original newspaper. There are large illustrations of stagecoaches (the largest I’ve seen in any newspaper), railroad cars with locomotives, and even an early iron stove!
Four large pages, in fine condition. The inside pages are bordered in black as a memorial to Daniel Webster.
$195
JOHN J. AUDUBON DIES
Newark Daily Advertiser
January 28, 1851
Artist and naturalist John J. Audubon (1785-1851) dies in New York City. The short, but historic report of his death reads as follows: “Mr. J.J. AUDUBON, the distinguished Naturalist, we learn, died at this residence in 155th st., N.Y., yesterday, aged 76 years. His ‘Birds of America’ is the greatest of his works, and probably the most valuable contribution to that branch of science in the world.” Audubon also drew mammals, and his other major work was “Vivivparous Quadripeds of America,” published just after his final trip out West in 1843. The Audubon Society today is a living tribute to his perseverance, appreciation for conservation, and love of the wilderness and its animal inhabitants.
The California Gold Rush–Easterners are still quitting their jobs and heading for the rich gold fields of the West. There are numerous ads for Express companies, banks, and more under “California Notices,” as well as individuals announcing their intentions to go West!
4 pages in superb condition. The illustrated notices for stagecoach, steamboat, and railroad lines are fascinating!
$135
NEWLY DISCOVERED PLANET TO BE NAMED “NEPTUNE”
Le Verrier’s Planet Finally Gets a Name!
National Intelligencer, Washington, DC
Thursday, March 4, 1847
The “newest” member of the Solar System, a body discovered by Frenchman Urbain Le Verrier, is finally named. A short front page report announces the historic news: “THE NEW PLANET.–The Bureau of Longitudes of Paris has come to an agreement with the principal astronomers of Europe, as Gausz, Encke, Strure, and Herschel, to give the name of NEPTUNE to the new planet discovered under the indications of M. Le Verrier. The planet will be denoted on the astronomical chart by the sign of a trident.” Le Verrier predicted the location of such a planet in 1846, using only mathematics and close observations of the orbit of Uranus.
Also, a report that $3,000,000 was to be earmarked to enable President Polk to make a treaty with Mexico ending the Mexican War includes lengthy debate in the United States Senate as well as the printing of the Act to appropriate the funding. This meaty issue also contains the latest war news from the U.S. troops still fighting in Mexico.
4 pp., complete and in very good condition. Bit of staining and wear on one fold, and a few minor tape mends.
$175
Newspaper Categories
- All Historic Newspapers
- Colonial America (pre-1775)
- The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
- Early America (1784-1820)
- American Expansion (1821-1860)
- The Civil War (1861-1865)
- Late 19th Century (1866-1900)
- The Wild West
- The 20th + 21st Centuries
- Sports History
- World War II
- European History (1600-1900)
- Black History
Recently Added
- Rare 1800 Newspaper Printing Of The The US – French Treaty
- Mississippi Admitted To The Union
- Trafalgar
- THE FIRST RUNNING OF THE TRIPLE CROWN – COMPLETE SET OF THREE RARE NEWSPAPERS
- ADOLF HITLER DEAD IN BERLIN!
- ORIGINAL 1846 PENSACOLA, FLORIDA NEWSPAPER
- 1941 BASEBALL HISTORY – BROOKLYN DODGERS’ MICKEY OWENS’ LEGENDARY DROPPED 3RD STRIKE
- MICKEY MANTLE HITS THREE HOMERS IN ONE GAME…FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE PLATE!
- NEW YORK YANKEES BOUGHT BY COL. JACOB RUPPERT
- RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Friends of The Archives
- American Antiquarian Society
- American Heritage
- Ephemera Society of America
- Library of Congress
- National Museum of American History
- Smithsonian Institution
- The Newseum
- TheHistoryNet