The following guest post was contributed by Timothy Hughes, the founder of Timothy Hughes Rare Newspapers, the largest dealer of authentic rare newspapers with historic issues covering practically every event and topic since the 1600s. Tim and Guy Heilenman, president of Rare Newspapers, also author the History's Newsstand Blog, which publishes historic newspaper articles multiple times per week.
To some, historic headlines in old newspapers are reports of John F. Kennedy's assassination, or perhaps World War II events. But to the experienced collector they are reports of the Great London Fire of 1666, or of Colonel George Washington in the French and Indian War (when he was 22 years old), or the Declaration of Independence of 1776. Yes, newspapers go back that far. And further.
Although I've been a dealer in rare newspapers for 33 years I admit that the hobby is almost unknown outside the small circle of avid collectors. And perhaps therein lies its beauty, as prices for old -- and really old -- newspapers are relatively low.
Issues of the London Gazette from England, the oldest continually published newspaper in the world (began in 1665 and still publishes today) from the late 1600s, can be had for less than $50 each. American newspapers with front page reports on the Civil War are available for $20 and less. And newspapers with front page reports of Indian skirmishes and stagecoach robberies from the much romanticized era of the Old West are available for $30 or so. The small number of collectors keeps prices low and interest in the hobby growing.
One of the biggest misnomers of the hobby is that newspapers over 100 years old must be in terrible condition, as we've all seen how brittle and fragile World War II newspapers can be, or even last week's newspaper for that matter. But actually the opposite is true. Newsprint from before 1880 had a very high cotton/linen content and are consequently in remarkably nice, pliable condition and still quite white. Newspapers from the 1600s and 1700s are in much better condition than issues of the early 20th century.
So why this collectible? My thought has always been "why not?" The beauty is that any event in world history from the past 400 years can be found in a newspaper somewhere. Whether collecting by theme, such as Presidential inaugurations, major military battles, deaths of famous personages, etc., virtually every event in world history can be found in newspapers of the day.
Those most in demand and which command the highest prices would not be a surprise to any student of history. The printing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States rank among the most desired, and can command well into six figures for a choice issue. Newspapers dated close to the event and published in the city where the event happened are the goal. But other desirable content can be reasonably priced. Any report of Abraham Lincoln creates interest and might command $25 - $40 for non-significant content. Newspapers mentioning the founding fathers of our nation are popular and -- on the other side of history -- reports on the more notorious (think the gangster era of the 1920s and '30s) have a strong following as well.
Dramatic headlines are a favorite of many collectors, which are limited to the early to mid-20th century era when "screaming" headlines were popular, as they frame well and become a focus of attention to anyone who sees them. Some banner headlines have letters commanding half of the front page.
Yet inconspicuous reports are just as exciting to find. Like the small report buried on page two of the Connecticut Journal of July 10, 1776 which reads: "Yesterday the CONGRESS unanimously Resolved to declare the United Colonies FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES." There is a thrill in holding a newspaper once owned by a colonist, reading the same report as he or she when they learned their country was separating itself from the control of the British.
One of the joys of the hobby is that even the most innocuous of newspapers offer something of interest. Back page ads offering slaves for sale, or houses for $200 speak to an era when the world was very different. Old newspapers, be they 100, 200, or over 400 years old, offer a window to another era free of any revision of history or interpretation by historians.
Info about photograph of newspapers
The left is a Civil War issue of The New York Herald from March 13, 1862 with a very large, displayable map of the United States showing the new boundaries of the rebellious states. The issue retails for $100 on Timothy Hughes Rare Newspapers. More details can be found here. The right is a French and Indian War issue of The New York Gazette or Weekly Post-Boy from December 4, 1758 with a very early mention of Colonel George Washington. The issue retails for $755 on Timothy Hughes Rare Newspapers. More details can be found here.
