POPE JOHN XXIII PASSES AWAY

BELOVED PONTIFF WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR PEACE

The Macon Telegraph
Macon, Georgia
June 4, 1963

The huge bold banner headline announces, “POPE JOHN XVIII DIES IN AGONY.” Subhead: “Long Fight Ends For Pontiff, 81.” The sad story begins, “VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope John XXIII, who touched the heart of a divided world with his untiring work for unity and peace died Monday night as the sun set over 100,000 grieving faithful gathered beneath his window….In the final hours, the Vatican said the pain was ‘atrocious.’ The dying pontiff clutched a crucifix to his breast. Only unconsciousness brought him relief. In the moments of consciousness the Pope appeared to concentrate on prayer. The bells of St. Peter announced his death to thousands in the Square. Superb photograph of the beloved pope who worked so hard for peace in the world.

The complete 16-page newspaper in fine condition. A perfect example to display.

$260

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under The 20th + 21st Centuries, All Historic Newspapers

“THE IRON CURTAIN” SPEECH OF WINSTON CHURCHILL

THE BRITISH HERO CRITICIZES SOVIET EXPANSION IN EASTERN EUROPE
“UNITE TO STOP RUSSIANS, CHURCHILL WARNS AT FULTON”

The Stars and Stripes
Nurnberg, Bavaria, West Germany
March 6, 1946

In a 45-minute address before the Westminster (Missouri) College faculty, as a guest of President Truman, Churchill said Russia constituted “a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilization”and called fro a virtual United States/British military alliance to prevent a third world war. He voiced a grim warning that “Communist fifth columnists” are at work under supervision of Moscow in most of the world. The report continues on page 8 under the subhead: “Iron Curtain Descends.” The great statesman and author then said, “From Stettin on the Baltic to Trieste on the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” This was the first use of the famous phrase describing the former free nations and capitals of Eastern Europe that were now under Soviet domination.

The issue also contains an amazing photograph of Japanese Emperor Hirohito dressed in Western style visiting a housing project for bombing victims of the deadly American raids on Japan during World War II. Another headline and story talks about a British atomic expert, Dr. Alan Nunn, who was found giving secret atomic energy information to an unidentified person.

Stars and Stripes was the great and widely-read service newspaper of World War II (and WWI). This one is 8 pages in length, pages separated cleanly at the spine as was sometimes normal, and in nice condition. A most historic issue–the warning from Truman was quite correct. The Berlin Wall didn’t fall until 1989.

$270

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under The 20th + 21st Centuries, World War II, All Historic Newspapers

VIETNAM WAR HANOI NEWSPAPER IN ENGLISH!

ULTRA-SCARCE VIETNAMESE PROPAGANDA RAG
“2600 AMERICAN PLANES DOWNED OVER NORTH VIET NAM”

Vietnam Courier
Hanoi, North Vietnam
December 4, 1967

Here is simply an amazing find–a North Vietnamese propaganda newspaper from the middle of the Vietnam War! The scans show just a few of the headlines, “news” stories and rare photographs in this 8-page issue. The Communists continually vastly overrate the number of U.S. casualties and downed aircraft, while trumpeting news of their “great victories” in battle. There are also editorials designed to break the morale of American citizens–and there is some truth to these pieces–one is based on American newspaper reports. Typical statements in this paper include, “So long as the American imperialists do not end definitively and unconditionally their bombings of the North and aggression in the South, and withdraw their troops, they will certainly be defeated in the battlefield and cannot deceive public opinion with their words and save the U.S. from its present predicament.”

8 pp., printed on very high quality paper. Some of the major headlines are in bold red print. I couldn’t put this copy down!

$375

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under The 20th + 21st Centuries, All Historic Newspapers

LUCILLE BALL APPEARS IN A BEER COMMERCIAL!

LUCY TOASTS SCHAEFER BEER!
HUGE ILLUSTRATED ADVERTISEMENT

The New York Times
August 19, 1947

The final page of this superb issue of The Times contains a monster ad featuring a young actress named Lucille Ball holding a glass of beer in one hand and a Schaefer bottle in the other saying, “Finest beer I ever tasted!” ’Nuff said about this–please see the incredible scan. Just a few short years later, Miss Ball as Lucy Ricardo on “I Love Lucy!” would do a commercial for “Vitameatavegamin”a “health drink” with alcohol as an ingredient….and become helplessly inebriated! This early ad sure reminds me of that hilarious episode! There is also a small ad in the Amusement Section for Lucy’s play, “Dream Girl,”at Brooklyn’s Flatbush Theater.

This 48 page rag issue of The Times is in near perfect condition. It’s truly a “time machine” from 1947 with the current movies, radio shows, baseball news (interleague exhibition games!) and way more. But, you’ll keep going back to the Lucille Ball beer ad for sure!

$450

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under The 20th + 21st Centuries, All Historic Newspapers

“SHOELESS” JOE JACKSON BOUGHT BY THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX

OWNER CHARLES COMISKY PAYS $31,500+ FOR THE STAR BASEBALL PLAYER

The New York Times
August 21, 1915

The legendary “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, the Cleveland Indians leading batter, is traded to the Chicago White Sox for $31,500 and three players (although the text article on the Sports Page indicated the price was only $15,000). Jackson, whose career ended ingloriously following the infamous “Black Sox” scandal in the 1919 World Series, was one of baseball’s greatest players. He averaged .356 for his career. In his first season with the then Cleveland Naps, he hit an astonishing .407. Great contemporaries like Walter Johnson (who called Jackson “the greatest natural ballplayer I’ve ever seen”), and Ty Cobb all acknowledged Jackson’s extraordinary skills. Babe Ruth himself copied Jackson’s “feet-together” batting stance and power stride into a pitch.

Complete newspaper, usual browning and such, but in nice shape overall stored flat for years in an old bound volume. A truly rare story and a nice piece for a serious baseball collection.

$150

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under Sports History, All Historic Newspapers

BABE RUTH’S FIRST HOME RUN AS A YANKEE!

“THE SULTAN OF SWAT” BEGINS TO PAY OFF FOR NEW YORK

The Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
May 2, 1920

Sports page headline: “BABE RUTH HITS OUT FIRST 1920 HOME RUN.”As the Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-0, the account reports, “Ruth hit his first home run in a New York uniform in a championship game.” He went 2 for 4 against the Sox this day. The story contains the complete box score of the game. It’s interesting that a Texas newspaper would pay so much attention, but Babe Ruth was starting to become a national superstar! In 1920, Ruth went on to shatter the existing record by clubbing 54 round trippers in a single season! This was his first historic HR as a Yankee.

Complete newspaper. Usual browning, but very nice as it had been stored flat in a bound volume by a major institution. For the Yankee fan!

$225

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under Sports History, All Historic Newspapers

BATTLESHIP “MAINE” SUNK IN HAVANA HARBOR

THE WRECK OF THE MAINE - INVESTIGATION BEGINS
CATALYST OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

The Mason City Globe-Gazette
Mason City, Iowa
February 24, 1898

“ALL EYES ON HAVANA Public Must Patiently Await Results of Maine Inquiry.” The inquiry included salvage divers attempting to piece together the puzzle of how the U.S. Battleship “Maine,” was mysteriously blown up in Cuba. See scans of the three front page sketches of the terrible wreck. 260 American sailors were killed in the explosion. After the investigation, the Americans claimed it was caused by a Spanish mine, while the Spaniards insisted it had to be an internal explosion on the vessel. 13 years later, the hull was re-examined by American experts and the inquiry board claimed the explosion was indeed external. The verdict still remains controversial, as the hulk was immediately towed out to deep water before there could be any further investigation. “Remember the Maine!” became a battle-cry in the ensuing Spanish-American War.

This very scarce newspaper is in good condition, with an irregular spine and a little marginal chipping. Virtually all newspapers of this particular vintage are fairly fragile. This one is still intact and would be a great candidate for framing…and a wonderful conversation piece! Spanish-American War newspapers are very uncommon. This one is a must for any serious collection of famous events in American history.

$295

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

GANGSTER DUTCH SCHULTZ IS SHOT TO DEATH

COHORTS GUNNED DOWN IN A HAIL OF MACHINE GUN BULLETS
SCHULTZ SHOT WHILE IN THE BATHROOM OF A NEW JERSEY BAR

The New York Times
October 24, 1935

The bold two-line headline screams: “SCHULTZ IS SHOT, ONE AIDE KILLED AND 3 WOUNDED.” “ATTACK IN NEWARK CAFE. Beer Runner and Three Companions Assailed by Two Gunmen. He is Hit in Abdomen by Two Machine Gunners as His Henchmen Return Fire.” The story begins,“Gangland bullets felled Arthur (Dutch Schultz) Flegenheimer, notorious former beer-runner, and three companions in a Newark (N.J.) tavern last night, precipitating warfare between racketeering gangs that led to the shooting about an hour and a half later of a Schultz henchman and a companion in this city.” The lengthy story (and others) continue on page 9 with a nice photo of the notorious gang boss.

Dutch Schultz and his gang were notorious in the Harlem numbers racket, restaurant extortion, and other forms of organized crime. In the middle of fighting a tax evasion case and being hounded by U.S Attorney Thomas Dewey, Schultz decided to kill the Federal official. The majority of Mafia bosses, however, were against such an idea figuring Dewey’s death would bring the Federal Government down on them all, so they decided to kill Schultz instead to keep him from carrying out his threat.

Complete 44-page issue in excellent condition, beautifully printed on enduing white rag paper–only some 90 issues were printed. A must issue for any serious Gangster collection!

$295

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under The 20th + 21st Centuries, All Historic Newspapers

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ASSASSINATED

THE GREAT CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER IS GUNNED DOWN IN MEMPHIS

Daily News
New York
April 5, 1968

In real “Breaking News,” this newspaper prints the huge front page headline: “MARTIN KING SHOT TO DEATH. Gunned Down in Memphis.”

Page two contains the story under the headline: “Rev. King Slain by Memphis Sniper.” The story reads, in part, “Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, was shot to death shortly before 6 p.m. tonight as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in downtown Memphis….Police said they were looking for “a young, white male, well dressed” who was seen running from a building across the street from the hotel, at 406 Mulberry St., in a predominantly Negro section.” The story also contains a large photograph (see scan) of the slain Civil Rights leader.

Here is the complete 28-page edition of the Daily News in excellent condition. I’ve never before seen the Civil Rights leader’s name printed “MARTIN KING.” Rare and very desirable. This one won’t last long.

$750

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under Black History, The 20th + 21st Centuries, All Historic Newspapers

BILL CLINTON ADMITS HE LIED!

THE U.S. PRESIDENT TELLS NATION OF RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA LEWINSKY

‘LIAR, LIAR”

Daily News
New York
August 18, 1998

President Bill Clinton finally admits what many people suspected or knew. Pages two and three contain the huge headline: “CLINTON ADMITS MONICA LIASON.” “In TV confession, says he misled us.” This historic issue is simply filled with page after page of headlines, accounts, commentary and large photographs.

Just the previous January, Clinton had made a short speech looking into a tv camera saying, “I did not have sexual relatios with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” But, with independent counsel Ken Starr bearing down on him, the President decided to try and save his presidency by “leveling” with the American People. The account said he stopped short of a full apology, and struck out at Starr for “the politics of personal destruction.” Vice President Al Gore “lauds Prez’ courage, sez it’s time to move on.” Another headline I found fascinating was, “First Lady got the ugly truth this weekend.” It’s pretty well known that Hillary not only knew about Monica, but was micromanaging the damage control, having had to live through numerous previous liaisons dating back to their time in Arkansas.

Complete newspaper in near mint condition. The first one I’ve ever had to offer.

$175