| Presented for sale by Phil Barber, Post Office Box 8694, Boston, Mass. 02114-0036 Telephone (617) 492-4653 |
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About This Era and its Newspapers
The Civil War is still a living presence in the American consciousness due in no small part to the availability of original memorabilia from that time. Photography and printing were well-developed inventions that have left to us a number of original images, books, and papers of the war years; the general literacy of the combatants has left the legacy of many striking eyewitness reports of the war's events. Contemporary newspapers are a unique treasury of all these elements, offering first-person narratives of life in military service, and commentary on the social, political, and economic scenes. They are also rich in detailed reports of the great battles upon which the destiny of two nations would hinge, and, in the pictorial press, fine woodcut images of the war's events and participants. The newspapers reflect the style and sensibility of their time with unique and often dramatic immediacy, and capture the very best of their era. In the newspapers too, a careful reader can trace the genesis of the myths that have replaced the realities of the war. Later interpretations have obscured many its causes and prime movers, from the common misconception that the war was fought to free the slaves, to the myth of the heroic "Lost Cause" of the Confederacy. You may also read of the strict censorship of the press, arrests of outspoken editors, and imprisonment without charges or trial of those who dared to speak out against the war policies of both regimes - all too frequent occurrences which are rarely mentioned in conventional histories. To muzzle the press is to suppress the facts and opinions which may be necessary to the correct judgment of the people. Whatever mitigates against freedom of the press wars upon the people's means of obtaining light for the control of their government. Its practical effect is to put the people, their government, and their measures in the hands of people who, having gained their confidence, would keep them in the dark, and direct affairs without responsibility. -Editorial in an 1863 Charleston (S.C.) Mercury, criticizing Confederate government press censorship. About The Catalog Listings All items in this catalog are unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine and accurately described. Any item may be returned within ten days of receipt for a full refund. No reason for return is ever required.They are in fine used condition and are complete with all pages as issued. All papers are free of damage or objectionable defects. We are sure you will be delighted with their exceptional state of preservation. We purchase only the finest condition newspapers that can be found to offer to our valued friends and customers. These are the finest quality original antique newspapers and magazines, that you might find elsewhere priced at much greater cost. It has always been my policy to present my catalog items at "wholesale to the public" prices. Therefore all catalog items and quoted prices are net, and are not subject to further discount, either for dealers or in consideration of quantity orders. It is our policy to price our items based on what we believe to be their fair market value. I do not set prices at absurdly inflated levels to take advantage of novices or "investors"; nor do employ the common ploy of starting with an unrealistically high price in order to "negotiate" a phony discount later. As over a third of our catalog orders are from dealers buying for resale, at our stated prices, we have every confidence that this policy maintains an ethical standard of integrity and fairness to all. Newspapers are full folio size unless described as quarto (abbreviated 4to) or octavo (8vo), which are respectively smaller in format. Most newspapers have been removed from bound volumes and may exhibit characteristic minor spine weakness or separation without significant paper loss. Illustrations are provided of a number of items (more will be added), depicting as much of them as can be shown with my 8 1/2" x 11" scanner. To access the pictures, click on the highlighted link that follows the catalog listing. When done viewing, select the "Back" button in your browser to return to this page. Each catalog entry is briefly described for its general appearance, historical significance, and content. Every one contains hours of historic reading and insights into the world preserved on its pages, much more than I could find the space to describe here. The exact dates that you will receive will be of my choice within the years listed. There is a good supply of different dates in stock of each title, so you may order multiples of each listing with confidence; all different dates will be provided. Catalog prices are per single issue. I cannot honor requests for specific dates or special historic content at these low "type issue" prices but we will be pleased to receive your want lists for such items. Your comments are always welcome, as are your inquiries, if you have questions about these historic collectibles. We value our customers, and appreciate the confidence you place in us when ordering from our on line catalogs. We strive to merit your patronage and to enrich your collecting experience through accurate, knowledgeable descriptions, honest pricing, courteous service, and timely order filling. Enjoy your browsing!
Our new government is founded upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and moral condition. This, our new government, is the first in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth..." -Alexander Stephens, Vice-President, Confederate Staes of America, speech at Savannah, Georgia, March 21, 1861[8pp folio]. The great American "newspaper of record". Under the guidance of founding editor Henry Raymond, this paper stands as a classic of accurate news reporting. Today it is prized by historians and collectors as a superb source of original news reports. At present we have a good stock of this excellent paper, in bright fresh condition, and offer an issue for . . . . 12.50 View Scan 
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[New York, 16pp] The great American "high tech." weekly newspaper, full of the latest in scientific progress, in feature articles and illustrations of the newest inventions and improvements in this era of technological development. There are also many fine illustrated ads, perceptive editorials, lists of new patents, letters to the editor, etc. These issues are selected for their Civil War content, which may consist of such diverse articles as news from the fronts, letters from officers and men, often about weaponry, and features on the deadly new killing machines whose development the war stimulated. Fine, scarce from the war years and in strong demand. These issues are in the sixteen page smaller quarto format used only during the war. Per issue . . . 15.00
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Contents ©2008 Phil Barber. |
