Revolutionary /Civil War era newspaper help, please.

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Mark Metzger, Sep 16, 2020.

  1. Mark Metzger

    Mark Metzger Well-Known Member

    Greetings,
    I thought I’d post here even though it’s off topic because the most US collector eyeballs would see it. I have the opportunity to purchase a rather considerable (100ish piece) collection of old US newspapers from the 1770s through the late 1800s. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of a forum member or other contact who could help out with the valuation.
    Thanks! Here are a couple quick pics...
    F444FFDC-BE23-4491-BA2A-E77FBCA8740B.jpeg 6FB2610E-0265-41AA-AF25-997A717ED470.jpeg C6832562-4DB2-4330-A33F-D3EF5A149464.jpeg 95C3DBB4-EFF5-46FD-8C9A-597E899F96E1.jpeg 3FD934E0-BFB8-4089-8486-C0696C232CDF.jpeg D31EA5D0-ABC3-481D-998D-C661D8C2D799.jpeg
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. messydesk

    messydesk Well-Known Member

    Cool stuff! Other than to state the obvious (check eBay), I don't really have any guidance. I'm sure content, as well as those characteristics we normally ascribe value to, will influence value. That said, "Waſte ye not time ſtarting to read theſe newſpapers, gazettes, and miſſives."
     
    Randy Abercrombie and Stevearino like this.
  4. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Who cares about the value, just buy it! Fascinating history!
     
    Cheech9712 and Randy Abercrombie like this.
  5. scottishmoney

    scottishmoney Buh bye

    The quality of the paper in the 18th century newspapers is far better than the quality of the paper by the mid 19th century. The reason is that the earlier paper contained a higher rag content - ie cotton than the later wood pulp based paper that started replacing it for newsprint ca. the 1840s.

    I have several newspapers etc from the 1740's on up through the Civil War - all are archival stored in non reactive paper and then non-pvc plastic. The 18th century examples can look brand new whereas the later wood pulp based newsprint from the Civil War era is not holding up to well over time.

    Pricewise, unfortunately cannot be much help there. I haven't purchased anything since about 25-30 years ago.
     
    GeorgeM likes this.
  6. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    I love the early ones. Not huge value unless they contain major historical content but still cool. Agreed the chain laid rag paper (you can see the parallel stiation lines in it of the 18th and very early 19th c holds up much better than the wood pulp wove paper of the early 19th c on
     
  7. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I’m rather familiar with these. Check the prices offered by Tim Hughes at rarenewspapers.com, and then divide by 2. That will give you a fair valuation. Issues with spicy historical content (signing of US Constitution, the Assassination of Lincoln, etc.) will be much more valuable than issues where the most interesting news of the day was “a trade ship docked at our harbor last night.”
     
    Stevearino and GeorgeM like this.
  8. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Some of the fun issues I’ve acquired over the years:

    Assassination of Lincoln:

    D5CD5D5E-0C6B-42D4-B008-66CC1B51E56F.jpeg FAF6F3EB-11EC-403D-B7B7-1E204C2DA54A.jpeg

    Loss of the SS Central America:

    D2ADEE90-53A7-46A8-9228-6CC16BC6866B.jpeg

    Monitor vs. Merrimac

    0D9071A7-7DE8-48D3-94CF-EA8ACB117815.jpeg 086A9B64-B480-48D4-80C3-A3A6CF48B455.jpeg

    Who doesn’t love a gnarly train crash?

    F1B7D2A3-E220-4865-B870-A850A84B532B.jpeg

    The title says all.

    D15A2267-2FA2-460E-AA98-B5848894BFC3.jpeg

    One of two contemporary illustrations of Dred Scott

    2CE06494-911A-4F83-AF4D-B488AEBDB9C9.jpeg
     
  9. CaptHenway

    CaptHenway Survivor

  10. leeg

    leeg I Enjoy Toned Coins

    Nice.

    Some may be available to download at the Library of Congress or the NNP.

    I'd be careful purchasing the lot if already available.
     
  11. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Why? The pictured examples look authentic
     
  12. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Watching "Storage Wars" (a guilty pleasure) they found some "oldish" papers and went to see what they were worth. The shop owner said something very interesting, the more historical events, the more chance that someone saved it, at least in the second half of the 20th century.
     
  13. leeg

    leeg I Enjoy Toned Coins

    You're right.

    I was just saying that print copies (pdf, etc.) may be available on the net. If newspapers are what the OP want then these are the real deal.
     
  14. TradingGreen

    TradingGreen Active Member

    Early American history auctions by Dana Linett always has nice odd items. A quick search there shows some newspapers from the period. Good Luck !! Nice stuff.
    Rich
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page