EARLY NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN DETROIT!

INCREDIBLE “CURE-ALL ADVERTISEMENTS INCLUDING BALDNESS!
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER NEW POEM

Detroit Daily Advertiser
March 12, 1842

“DEMOCRACY,” a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier is published in full on page two. But, what I find truly fascinating are the several hundred ads and notices including many for alleged cure-alls for every disease from coughs to cancer. I think my favorite ad is the one for baldness that reads, in part: “BALDNESS. A beautiful head of Hair is the grandest ornament belonging to the human frame….In short, not even the loss of property fills the generous thinking youth with that heavy sinking gloom as does the loss of his hair. To avert all these unpleasant circumstances OLDRIDGE’S BALM OF COLUMBIA stops the hair from falling off on the first application, and a few bottles restores it again.” (see scan for complete advertisement)

Four pages, fine condition with just minor foxing. Sure was interesting to read this one! You get a real sense of Detroit in the mid-19th Century, long before it became the “Motor City.” Reasonably priced, too.

$95

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

THE MORMONS IN 1841 – LENGTHY ACCOUNT – JOSEPH SMITH

THE MORMON SETTLEMENT IN OHIO
ANTI-MORMONISM LECTURES OF WILLIAM HARRIS

The New York Herald
August 10, 1841

Page two headings read: “Highly Important from the Far West–Progress of the Mormons–Joe Smith in his Glory–The Devil and the Unbelievers at Work — No Go.” This issue contains almost two full columns on the “Origin and History of the Mormons,” “Baptism For The Dead,” “Temperance Among the Mormons,” “The Mormon Settlement,” and more. The religion itself is cast in a very negative light. I’ve scanned some of the piece, and I can tell you after reading it more than once, it is quite interesting to see this early view.

Four pages, and in very fine condition. A very early issue of James Gordon Bennett’s famous Herald. Forgot to mention that there is also a front page report on an Indian battle between the Sioux and the Pottamattamies in Missouri. I’ve scanned this also.

$375

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

PRESIDENT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON DIES AFTER JUST ONE MONTH IN OFFICE!

“Old Tippecanoe” Succumbs to Pneumonia–Doctors Bled Him (with Leeches)!
Vice President John Tyler of Virginia Succeeds Harrison

The Globe, Washington, DC
Monday Evening, April 5, 1841

William Henry Harrison, who successfully led American troops against Tecumseh and his Indian warriors in the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811), and during the War of 1812, defeated the chief again in the Battle of the Thames, dies of pneumonia at the White House. At his inauguration, one month earlier, he delivered a 1 1/2 hour address (edited by his new Secretary of State, Daniel Webster) outside in bitter weather which was probably responsible for bringing on a bad cold shortly thereafter. His doctors tried everything from bleedings to blistering(!), but to no avail. His “advanced” age (68) certainly didn’t help matters either. Harrison’s death spelled the demise of the Whig Party.

This newspaper contains the news of his death, the report of his bedside physicians, and a communication from SecState Daniel Webster to Vice President Tyler informing the latter of the President’s unfortunate end. Tyler took the Oath of Office on April 6th.

Four large pages with all columns bordered in thick black mourning rules. Excellent condition throughout. More valuable than other newspapers as this was a Washington, DC newspaper. It took days and weeks for the news to reach other cities to be published around the country. For a fine Presidential collection!

$360

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

DAVY CROCKETT’S SON A CONGRESSMAN – SPEECH OF JOHN WESLEY CROCKETT OF TENNESSEE!

ONE YEAR AFTER HIS FATHER, WAR HERO DAVY CROCKETT, DIED AT THE ALAMO, DAVY’S SON DELIVERS AN IMPASSIONED SPEECH ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE!

DEATH OF MARYLAND GOVERNOR JOSEPH KENT
DEBATE ON THE FINANCIAL PANIC OF 1837
MISSISSIPPI SLAVES FOR SALE!

National Intelligencer, Washington, DC
Tuesday, November 28, 1837

This prime Washington, DC newspaper publishes a lengthy speech by John Wesley Crockett, son of the famed Indian fighter/Alamo martyr David Crockett of Tennesse who had also been a congressman. The address concerns a House bill authorizing the issuance of Treasury notes, and is quite something to read. (To tell you the truth, I didn’t realize until I read this newspaper that Davy Crockett had a congressman son who followed right smack in his famous father’s footsteps!)

This “meaty” issue also contains both a news item and a very lengthy editorial on the life and passing of Doctor Joseph Kent, ex-Governor of Maryland who was also a Senator from that state. A lengthy biography is included. Kent County, Maryland was named for this statesman. There are also many interesting columns of Congressional debate on events concerning the historic financial panic of 1837.

A classified advertisement reads: “VALUABLE SLAVES, NOW IN MISSISSIPPI, are offered for sale upon credit. W.H. J. DORSEY, Chaptico, Maryland.”

4 large pages, complete, fully original, and in fine condition with just one minor stain. It’s really nice!

$250

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

1833 DRUGS AND MEDICINES FOR SALE//EARLY NEWSPAPER FROM GETTYSBURG!

A Cure for What Ails You.
Also, Incredible Sketch of a Meteor Shower!

Republican Banner, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, November 26, 1833

Huge front page illustrated advertisement placed by “JESSE GILBERT, Druggest, Gettysburg, PA” listing his wares. They include “five brands of Worm Syrup, Balsam of Life, Horse Powders”, sulfur and even opium!

On page three is an illustration of a “Shower of Fire”, surely a large meteor shower recently observed in the heavens. Lengthy poem titled, “The Plague in the Forest,” by none other than former President John Quincy Adams.

Four large pages, very nice condition. A very rare paper that shows life in the quiet Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg some thirty years before the famous Civil War battle.

$135

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

COW KILLED ON THE NEW B&O RAILROAD TRACKS!

EARLY HISTORY OF THE RAILROAD
POSSIBLE SLAVE REBELLION UNCOVERED NEAR NEW ORLEANS!

Boston Daily Advertiser
June 23, 1831

A new B&O locomotive train traveling 15-20 miles per hour strikes a cow, stopping the train in its tracks (no pun intended)! Several passengers on board received bruises, but none were seriously hurt. This event probably led to the use of fences around tracks, not for children, but for cows! The cowcatcher also became standard after this. The newspaper contains several other reports on early railroads (see scans) including this: “Traveling (from Baltimore) on the Rail Road Extended. The first track on the 2d Division of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road was completed on Wednesday last, except a small portion of the horse path which will be finished this day and ready for travel.” The rails extended from Ellicott’s Mills to Patapsco (thirteen miles) which meant that passengers could now travel some 26 miles from Baltimore. Another article talks about the Troy and Vermont Railroad.

A potential slave revolt was apparently discovered near New Orleans when planters discovered an immense cache of arms and ammunition. “The negroes, it is said, intended to rise as soon as the sickly season began, and obtain possession of the city by massacreing the planters and white population.”

4 pages, and in extremely fine condition. You’ll also love the bold illustrated steamboat, stagecoach and sailing ship notices!

$137

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN SUGGESTED….IN 1829!

“They are fully entitled to an equality of wages.”

National Intelligencer, Washington, DC
Thursday, April 30, 1829

The front page contains a full-column article titled: “ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES” where, in a fascinating letter, a woman philanthropist argues the case of equal pay for men and women. In responding to men working outdoors, the lady writes, “Is it not as great a labor to stand at a wash tub, and ironing table all day, and then sew and attend to housefold duties in the evenings?–to white wash, clean, paint, and scrub–and worse than all–to sit from six in the morning until nine in the night at her needle, with , maybe, three or four children around her?….I can answer the men, that very few women, having young children, know what a good night’s rest is….seeing that women labor equally with the men–that their life is of no longer duration—shewing an equality of suffering….and that they are fifty per cent more moral and industious than the men—they are fully entitled to an equality of wages. It is only in Cochin China that the wages of the women are equal to the men’s; but there the women do all the hard labor.”

A superb 4 page issue in fine condition of the famous Intelligencer, the premier DC newspaper at the time. It’s filled with notices for huge parcels of land in Great Falls, DC, Prince Georges County and Virginia. And, yes, there are the normal large advertisements offering large rewards for “RUNAWAY SLAVES.”

$139

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, American Expansion

THE FIRST AUTOMOBILE ADVERTISEMENT!

“DISPENSE WITH A HORSE.”

Scientific American
New York
August 13, 1898

The Winton Motor Carriage Co. of Cleveland, Ohio advertises “THE WINTON MOTOR CARRIAGE.” In a bold ad headed: “DISPENSE WITH A HORSE”, the company’s new horseless carriage is said to travel at a speed between 3 and 20 miles per hour with no vibration. “Kane’s Famous First Facts” along with numerous websites note this to be the very first advertisement for an automobile. Intricate illustration of the car as well.

The advertisement apparently was effective, because Robert Allison of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, purchased a Winton Motor Carriage after seeing the ad in Scientific American. Later that year, Winton sold 21 more vehicles, including one to James Ward Packard who later established his own automobile company.

This photo-filled illustrated newspaper is also simply loaded with shots of the destroyed Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay during the ongoing Spanish-American War. Admiral Dewey’s U.S. battleships massacred Admiral Cervera’s ships in a decisive encounter in the Philippines.

The original and complete issue containing all sixteen pages, and preserved in very fine condition. One of the most important publications of the late 19th century we have ever encountered.

$1,500

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, Late 19th Century

FREDERICK DOUGLASS–WASHINGTON, DC MARSHAL

ALSO, A SKETCH OF JOSIAH HENSON, SAID TO BE THE INSPIRATION FOR “UNCLE TOM’S CABIN”–HE WAS A RESCUER OF SLAVES ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Harper’s Weekly
New York
April 21, 1877

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), the most important African American figure of the 19th Century, is appointed Marshal of the District of Columbia by President Rutherford B. Hayes. This was the first appointment of an African American to require United States Senate confirmation. By occupying this post and distributing jobs, Douglass continued and strengthened the hold of black civil servants on minor government positions–the cornerstone of the staunchly middle-class black community in the Nation’s Capital.Douglass’ numerous accomplishments are documented in a superb biography on the fifth page with a sketch (see scans). Born a slave in 1818, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Douglass learned to read and write early in life, escaped the bonds of slavery, and went on to become an orator, author, abolitionist, statesman, minister, journalist, newspaper publisher, and even a consultant to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

Twenty pages, complete issue in excellent condition. A key item for the collector/historian of African Americana.

$425

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under African American History, All Historic Newspapers, Late 19th Century

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IS PRESENTED IN PARIS

THE LARGEST STATUE IN THE WORLD – OFFICIAL PRESENTATION
THE STRUCTURE IS NOW ON ITS WAY TO NEW YORK HARBOR

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, New York
June 13, 1885

An incredible gift from France to the United States, sculpted by Bartholdi, is unveiled in Paris for all to see. The largest of three front page illustrations shows the statue in scaffolding in Paris, titled: “OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF THE STATUE OF “LIBERTY ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD,” PARIS, JULY 4TH, 1884.” The other sketches show a sectional view of the Statue of Liberty, and a bust photo of M. Bartholdi, the designer. All sketches come under the heading: “FRANCE-AMERICA.–THE GIFT OF THE FRENCH REPBULIC TO THE UNITED STATES.” An inside page story gives news of the presentation, and the fact that the structure was now on its way to America to stand in New York Harbor.

16 pp., complete and unedited, and in very fine condition. There are many other large illustrations and stories in this fascinating issue of Harper’s Weekly, but after reading the paper cover to cover, I’d probably want to frame it! What a conversation piece!

$350