SLAVERY IS ABOLISHED IN THE U.S.

THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION IS RATIFIED BY TWENTY-SIX STATES
ANNOUNCEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE WILLIAM SEWARD

The New York Herald
December 19, 1865

Following the end of the great Civil War, The Herald, the largest-selling newspaper at the time, publishes smack on page one, the amendment that abolished the heinous institution of slavery for all time. Secretary of State William Seward issues the proclamation which states, in part:

“Article XIII, Section 1. NEITHER SLAVERY NOR INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE, EXCEPT AS A PUNISHMENT FOR CRIME, WHEREOF THE PARTY SHALL HAVE BEEN DULY CONVICTED, SHALL EXIST WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, OR ANY PLACE SUBJECT TO THEIR JURISDICTION.”

On the editorial page, the announcement reads, in full:”THE NEWS. THE ANTI-SLAVERY AMENDMENT. Secretary Seward has officially announced that notifications of the adoption by the Legislatures of twenty-seven States of the amendment to the national constitution abolishing and prohibiting slavery throughout the country have been filed in the State Department; that the number of States being thirty-six, the amendment has been ratified by three-fourths of them, and that it is therefore now a part of the constitution, and valid to all intents and purposes.”Here is the complete and original printing of eight pages, and in very fine condition. (Scan looks “brownish”–actually the newspaper is nice and white as printed) A key event in African American history, and a coup for any museum, institution, or collector. December 18, 2015, will mark the 150th anniversary of the ratification announcement!

$8,500

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under African American History, All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

THE ASSASSINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN!

SKETCHES OF THE ACTUAL KILLING OF THE PRESIDENT!
FULL FRONT PAGE ILLUSTRATION OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH, THE ASSASSIN!
PERHAPS THE SINGLE-MOST DESIREABLE ISSUE OF HARPER’S

Harper’s Weekly, New York
Saturday, April 29, 1865

Where do we start here? This is the famous Harper’s “Lincoln Assassination issue”–one of the toughest and most collected newspapers of the 19th century. The front page portrait of John Wilkes Booth with facsimile signature, is not to be forgotten, and it’s completely surrounded by the historic report of the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC, the night of April 14. Two sketches on the fourth page show Booth shooting the President as he sat watching a play, and then running across the stage with the crowd screaming and pointing at him.

And, there’s more! The huge doublepage centerfold shows “Lady Liberty” sobbing over Lincoln’s casket with a Union soldier and sailor on either side crying as well. It’s just beautiful, and yet sad at the same time.

The issue also has other Civil War battle prints especially on landing troops near Mobile, Alabama.

16 pp., original and complete, and in excellent condition. This is the ONLY one I have in stock and they’ve become next to impossible to find anymore in nice condition. A cornerstone issue for any serious collection to be sure. First call gets it!

$2,500

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG! ALSO AMAZING SKETCH OF GEN. U.S. GRANT

TWO REMARKABLE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG/
“THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG–BLOWING UP THE REBEL FORT HILL”

Harper’s Weekly, New York
July 25, 1863

Here are woodcut sketches of action in the Battle of Gettysburg showing Union batteries firing and troops marching in the center of the field! (You can gaze at these for an hour and not get bored!) An accompanying article is 1 1/2 columns in length packed with the action and horror that was Gettysburg–perhaps the deciding struggle of the Civil War when Robert E. Lee faced off against George C. Meade.

The front page shows a huge portrait of General Ulysses S. (“Unconditional Surrender”) Grant in uniform that begs to be framed. Inside, there are two full pages on the Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., including blowing up the Confederate Fort Hill–this just leaps out at you! And, as usual with Harper’s, there are other full page war illustrations, and exciting ads as well.

16 pp., complete and unedited. Superb, clean condition–a gem!

$795

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

“NEGROES ESCAPING OUT OF SLAVERY”–SUPERB ILLUSTRATION

SLAVES FLEEING FROM CONFEDERATE LINES//
SKETCH OF FREEDMAN’S VILLAGE, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Harper’s Weekly, New York
May 7, 1864

This Civil War illustrated newspaper contains an incredible woodcut illustration, “NEGROES ESCAPING OUT OF SLAVERY.” The accompanying article begins, “We present on pag 292 another view of one of the principal features of the war; namely, the escape of negroes, at all points within the rebel lines, from the house of their bondage.” Particularly interesting are the actual quotes of newly-freed slaves leaving their white masters.

FREEDMAN’S VILLAGE, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA,” is a view of the government-established collection of frame homes for the use of the contrabands, who can also farm the land around them for food. Sojourner Truth was a nurse in the Village for awhile writing a number of letters that were published in abolitionist newspapers.

The graphic print on the front cover, “UNION SCOUTS IN LOUISIANA,” shows the scouts on horseback in the bayous of that Confederate State. The men were disgruntled Southerners of all professions gathering information for General Banks.

16 pp., complete and in excellent condition.

$550

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S IMMORTAL GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

“Fourscore and seven years ago”….President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 19, 1863

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, New York
December 5, 1863

PRESIDENT LINCOLN DELIVERS HIS NOW LEGENDARY REMARKS AT THE DEDICATION OF THE NATIONAL CEMETERY AT GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA TO HONOR THE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT AND DIED ON THAT BATTLEFIELD. This truly historic issue of Leslie’s (a rival of Harper’s Weekly) prints Lincoln’s entire address (see scan) and includes a huge doublepage centerfold with no fewer than seven woodcut illustrations of the ceremony and the battlefield at Gettysburg. 2013 will mark the 150th anniversary of this monumental speech.

The front cover has huge sketch: “THE WAR IN TENNESSEE–LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND ITS VICINITY FROM THE POSITION OF THE 11TH ARMY CORPS.” The Confederate flag flies at the top of the famous mountain. There are also two large sketches of the Civil War in Texas and Virginia.

16 pp., complete, and in very good condition. Call, fax, or email me to reserve this historical gem. Newspapers printing the Gettysburg Address have become virtually impossible to find anymore. A must for any serious collector or historian.

$3,500

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

1862 NEW ORLEANS NEWSPAPER UNDER UNION OCCUPATION

THE CONFISCATION ACT, AND A PROCLAMATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN AGAINST SOUTHERN TREASON/
THE BATTLE OF BATON ROUGE REPORTED BY GENERAL BUTLER

The Daily Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday Morning, August 31, 1862

This exceedingly scarce Southern newspaper published only four months after Union forces captured the city of New Orleans, contains the complete printing of the Confiscation Act of Congress, calling for suppression of the Southern insurrection. In his proclamation, Abraham Lincoln he asked persons in the rebellion to cease participating in or abetting it, and “to return to their proper allegiance to the United States, on pain of the forfeitures and seizures….” The first part of the actual Act itself stated, in part, “that any person who shall hereafter commit the crime of treason against the United States, and shall be adjudged guilty thereof, shall suffer death, and all his slaves, if any, shall be declared and made free…”

General Benjamin Butler’s report on the Battle of Baton Rouge goes regiment by regiment and points out the individual heroes of the intense fighting–it runs almost 1 1/2 columns!

4 pages, folio, complete and in very fine condition. Civil War newspapers from New Orleans, whether Union or Confederate, are not easy to come by anymore. This is a tremendous opportunity to have a look at life in this fascinating city from the point of view of the people who lived there. All the local news and fascinating advertisements add to the color and bring the past alive! Very reasonably priced, too…and we don’t have another such newspaper!

$475

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

VICKSBURG SURRENDERS!//GETTYSBURG–PURSUIT OF LEE’S ARMY

New York Daily Tribune
July 9, 1863

Front page stacked headings announce the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi to General U.S. (“Unconditional Surrender”) Grant! The entire first column tells the story of the end of a long siege. The Mississippi is now truly open to the Union Army in a tragic blow for the Confederacy.

In other front page news, there is speculation that General Robert E. Lee’s defeated army will attempt to make a strong stand in Maryland and that it cannot reach Virginia. There is a great action-packed report from the “Battle-Field of Gettysburg, July 5, 1863” on “The Fight of the First Corps.” (I couldn’t put this one down!) Other reports read: “Position of the Rebels,” and “Incidents of the Rebel Occupation of Hagerstown.” Finally, headlines report “THE VICTORY AT HELENA, ARK. THE REBELS REPULSED AT ALL POINTS.”

8 pp., with nice wide margins, and in very fine condition. Add this one to your special Civil War collection!

$550

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

RARE LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA CONFEDERATE “NECESSITY” ISSUE

THE SIEGE OF ATLANTA–FIGHTING BETWEEN SHERMAN AND HOOD/
“THE (UNION) FAILURE BEFORE PETERSBURG”/
“TREATMENT OF NEGRO SOLDIERS BY YANKEE OFFICERS”/
MOVEMENTS OF COL. MOSBY, THE “GRAY GHOST!”

Lynchburg Virginian
August 17, 1864

Here’s a truly scarce Confederate newspaper printed on light brown “necessity paper” owing to the lack of rag paper available during the Civil War. Many newspapers printed their dailies and weeklys on any type of paper they could find, including cornhusk, wallpaper, and even old bags!

This issue contains a lengthy report titled: “THE SITUATION AT ATLANTA. THE FIGTHT OF THE 29TH. HOOD’S STYLE OF FIGHTING. THE SIEGE A SLOW BUSINESS.” A fascinating short report titled: “MORE OF MOSBY’S WORK,” states that the famed Confederate colonel attacked the Union supply train at Berryville, Virginia, and captured and destroyed 75 loaded wagons and 200 prisoners.

Another article reports that Generals Meade and Burnside are blaming the latest “fiasco” before Petersburg on each other! And, see the scan of a report from a New York paper titled: “TREATMENT OF NEGRO SOLDIERS BY YANKEE OFFICERS.”

Single sheet issue, complete, and in very fine condition. Good Confederate newspapers have truly “dried up” in the market. I’d buy every nice one I could find!

$495

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

THE MONITOR & MERRIMAC BATTLE – FIRST REPORT!

FIRST BATTLE IN HISTORY BETWEEN TWO IRONCLAD VESSELS

The New York Times
March 10, 1862

The front page headlines scream: “HIGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS. Desperate Naval Engagements in Hampton Roads. Attack Upon our Blockading Vessels by the Rebel Steamers, Merrimac, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Opportune Arrival of the Iron-Clad Ericsson Battery Monitor. A FIVE HOURS’ ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN HER AND THE MERRIMAC. The Rebel Vessel Forced to Haul Off.” The entire front page (excepting a huge map titled: “THE LINE OF THE POTOMAC FROM HARPER’S FERRY TO CHETANK POINT”) consists of action accounts of the historic naval battle, including full descriptions of the Monitor and Merrimack (now the C.S.S. Virginia) which carries over to the last page. And, page 8 has a superb map: “NORFOLK AND ITS NEIGHBORHOOD. A Map showing the Locality of the Great Maritime Action in Hampton Roads, and the Railroad Connections of Norfolk, with Richmond and Petersburgh. “

Folks, this was one of the very first newspapers I ever purchased when I began my collection and archives some thirty years ago. As a retired Naval Reserve Commander, I collected U.S. Naval history, and this was the most exciting issue I owned at the time. I very highly recommend this to you (see the scans)!

8 pp., complete and uncut as originally published back in 1862. Very fine condition and a most desireable issue for any important collection.

$950

Posted by mmitchell | Filed Under All Historic Newspapers, The Civil War

THE GREAT BATTLE OF SHILOH (PITTSBURG LANDING)

RARE CONFEDERATE NEWSPAPER WITH FULL DETAILS
REPORTED AS A GREAT SOUTHERN VICTORY!
AUCTION HOUSES SELL NEGRO SLAVES

Charleston Daily Courier, South Carolina
Confederate States of America
April 8, 1862

Front page stacked headlines scream: “The Great Battle of the West. OFFICIAL DISPATCH FROM GEN. BEAUREGARD. THE VICTORY COMPLETE. Death of Albert Sidney Johnston. HEAVY LOSS ON BOTH SIDES.” One and a half columns are dedicated to “Breaking News” on the costly Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee that began when Gen. A.S. Johnston attacked U.S. Grant’s forces at Pittsburg Landing. After the first day, the Confederates were confident of victory, however Union reinforcements arrived during the night, and forced the Southern troops to eventually withdraw. Casualties were staggering on both sides.

This issue also contains notices of several auction houses trading in slaves (see scans). The Courier was one of the few Southern newspapers to place “CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA” in its masthead making it an extremely desirable collectible.

4 pages, in fine, clean condition–very well preserved for a Confederate newspaper, and quite easy to just pick up and read “history as it happened” from a Southern viewpoint. Confederate issues reporting major Civil War events are exceedingly scarce.

$1,200