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
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
WOMEN GET THE RIGHT TO VOTE
THE 19TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION IS FINALLY RATIFIED
Taunton Daily Gazette
Taunton, Mass.
August 18, 1920
Tennessee ratifies the Susan B. Anthony constitutional amendment becoming the 36th state to do so. The amendment gives women the right to vote in national elections regardless of state laws. Two big headlines announce the historic news: “FEDERAL SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT IS RATIFIED TODAY. LONG FIGHT FOR EQUAL SUFFRAGE WON AT LAST.”
This is the complete 10-page newspaper in very good condition stored flat since 1920 in an original bound volume. Couple of minor corners missing, usual browning, but very nice overall…and displayable to make a great conversation piece.
$270
HITLER BECOMES CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY
NAZIS BEGIN THEIR TAKEOVER OF GERMANY
The New York Times
January 31, 1933
The Times famous triple-tiered headlines shout: “HITLER MADE CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY BUT COALITION CABINET LIMITS POWER; CENTRISTS HOLD BALANCE IN REICHSTAG.” After losing several elections to President Von Hindenburg, Franz von Papen makes a deal with the WWI general to make Adolf Hitler, leader of the National Socialist Party, Chancellor of Germany even though they don’t have a majority in the Reichstag. The story includes this fascinating statement: “The composition of the Cabinet leaves Herr Hitler no scope for gratification of any dictatorial ambition.” (I think history proved differently)! Yet, the front page also contains a story by the AP headed, “HITLER PLEDGES FIGHT IN CABINET.” The Nazi statement says, in part, “After a thirteen-year struggle the National Socialist movement has succeeded in breaking through to the government; the struggle to win the German nation, however, is only the beginning.” Reaction to the news of Hitler’s appointment at German Chancellor is mixed in Europe. Poland hopes Hitler’s new post will help show the world the true face of what Germany will become under the Nazi Party. Page three contains photographs of Hitler, Franz Von Papen, Dr. Wilhelm F. Frick, and the future head of the Luftwaffe Herman Goering.
Here is the complete and original 38-page Times newspaper in superb white condition, printed on special rag stock for preservation. Only around ninety such issues were printed in 1933. This issue has been reprinted from microfilm in a number of books I’ve seen.
$350
RICHARD NIXON PARDONED FOR WATERGATE!
“FORD GRANTS NIXON FULL PARDON;
SAYS HE HAS ‘SUFFERED ENOUGH’”
The Washington Post
September 9, 1974
Bold two-line banner headlines announce that President Gerald Ford has finally granted former President Richard M. Nixon a pardon for his involvement in the Watergate Fiasco. The front page report begins: “President Ford yesterday granted former President Nixon a “full, free and absolute pardon” for all federal crimes Mr. Nixon “committed or may have committed” during his term in the White House. Mr. Nixon promptly issued a statement from his home in California accepting the pardon and admitting he had made mistakes but not acknowledging any crimes.” (”I am not a crook!”)
The historic newspaper contains other headlines and stories such as “Nixon To Control His Papers,” “Not Consulted About Pardon, Jaworski Says,” and “Nixon Aides Urged Pardon.” There is also a very large photo of President Ford reading the statement that he has granted a pardon to President Nixon.
Complete newspaper in very fine condition. Someone put this one away for keeps! Although “NIXON RESIGNS” newspapers are not uncommon, the Ford Pardon issues were only saved in tiny numbers. This is the first one we’ve had for sale. For the finest collection of political memorabilia.
$245
BLACK MAN IS LYNCHED IN NORTH CAROLINA
WHITES IN LOUISBURG, NC TAKE ALLEGED AXE MURDERER FROM HIS JAIL CELL
Bartlesville Daily Enterprise
Bartlesville, OK
July 30, 1935
The bold and striking banner headline literally “leaps” out at you: “NORTH CAROLINA MOB HANG A NEGRO.”
The incredible (and, unfortunately, all too common) story begins with subheads: “Mob Took Killer From Officers and Hanged Him Near Scene of the Crime.” “A BRUTAL CRIME.” “Negro Accused of Chopping Victim’s Head Off With an Axe.” (See scans for the complete story)
This is the complete 8-page newspaper in very good condition obviously stored in a bound volume of papers many years ago so it is suitable for display should you have the inclination. It’s also probably the only known issue of this rare title and date. The paper is certainly is a grisly reminder of the days when mobs took the law into their own hands–many (though not all) were directed against blacks.
$535
AMELIA EARHART LOST OVER PACIFIC - SEARCH BEGUN
“WARSHIP’S PLANES START SEARCH FOR MISS EARHART;
NO DEFINITE SIGNAL HEARD”
The New York Times
July 8, 1937
On her round-the-world flight, female aviator extraordinare Amelia Earhart’smonoplane vanishes over the Pacific Ocean after radio contact with her abruptly ceases. In spite of a thorough search of a huge amount of ocean, and amongst endless speculation and rumors, nary a trace of the intrepid aviator, her navigator Fred Noonan, or her plane will ever be found. The Times front page report says the search has begun over a large area, and that her husband hopefully believes she may still be found in the area below the Howland Islands.
This is the complete 48-page regular issue taken years ago from an original bound volume. Usual browning, some chipping at top and margins, but overall a fine issue that will be a real asset to any collection. To this day, controversy rages over just where Amelia’s plane went down in the Pacific, and if the mystery will ever be solved.
$270
PRAYER BANNED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
SUPREME COURT VOTES 8-1 IN LANDMARK DECISION
The Macon Telegraph
Macon, Georgia
June 18, 1963
A front page three-column headline announces, “HIGH COURT BANS PRAYER IN SCHOOLS.” Subhead clarifies: “Ruling Goes 8-1 Against Prayer, Bible Reading.” The historic report begins: “In a sweeping 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court Monday banned as unconstitutional any required use of the Lord’s Prayer or Bible reading in public schools for devotional purposes. The long awaited ruling….charged that such religious exercises violated the First Amendment which prohibits governmental “establishment of religion.” (The ruling came about owing to a case of Madalyn Murray O’Hair (not mentioned in the report), a militant atheist, who filed a lawsuit against the Baltimore School Board. After the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled against her, the case went to the Supreme Court ending with this still-controversial decision).
Here is the complete and original 14-page edition of this Georgia newspaper in very fine condition. It’s the first time The Mitchell Archives has ever located a copy of any newspaper containing this decision, and we may never again find another. Frameable, and a great piece with which to start a discussion or two!
$550
MARILYN MONROE FOUND DEAD!
The 36-Year-Old Blonde Bombshell Found Nude in Bed
The Sun
Baltimore, MD
August 6, 1962
Here is an event that we have never before handled in newsprint–the death of legendary actress Marilyn Monroe in Hollywood. Under a fantastic front page photograph of the beautiful star is bold two-column headline: “Marilyn Monroe Dead In Probable Suicide.” Datelined “Hollywood, Cal., Aug 5 (AP)–the shocking report begins,“Marilyn Monroe, a symbol of the gay, exciting life of Hollywood, died tragically last night. Her body was found nude in bed, a probable suicide. She was 36. The long-troubled star clutched a telephone in one hand, an empty bottle of sleeping pills was nearby. Miss Monroe, fired from her last movie, had been in seclusion for weeks at her rambling Spanish-style bungalow in Brentwood.”
Marilyn Monroe memorabilia has consistently sold for enormous sums of money at public auction. Even polaroid photos she took of her dog brought close to a quarter million dollars in New York some years ago! And recently, numerous unsigned photos of Marilyn brought many thousands of dollars apiece. An umbrella from a 1949 photo shoot was hammered down for $42,000! No collection would be complete without an original newspaper reporting her untimely death–I would first read the entire article (continues on an inside page) and then carefully frame this rare issue. First two sections here, 30 pages in all, and fully original. Nice condition, too.
$950
DEATH OF FDR
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT SUCCUMBS TO A CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE
VICE PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN BECOMES PRESIDENT
WORLD WAR II CONTINUES UNABATED
San Francisco Chronicle, EXTRA
April 13, 1945
Huge, bold 4″ headline screams: “F.D.R. DIES!” Other headlines followed by the full report of his demise. Superb front page photograph of the four-term President, with photos of President Truman and Eleanor Roosevelt on page three with continuing details. The issue also contains the latest action reports from the fighting in Nazi Germany and in the Pacific.
Complete 18-page EXTRA edition of the Chronicle in very fine condition. This one is just begging to be framed for a wall display!
$365
Newspaper Categories
- All Historic Newspapers
- Colonial America (pre-1775)
- The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
- Early America (1784-1820)
- American Expansion (1821-1860)
- The Civil War (1861-1865)
- Late 19th Century (1866-1900)
- The Wild West
- The 20th + 21st Centuries
- Sports History
- World War II
- European History (1600-1900)
- Black History
Recently Added
- ADOLF HITLER DEAD IN BERLIN!
- ULTRA RARE 1846 PENSACOLA FLORIDA NEWSPAPER
- 1941 BASEBALL HISTORY - BROOKLYN DODGER’S MICKEY OWENS’ DROPPED 3RD STRIKE
- MICKEY MANTLE HITS THREE HOMERS IN ONE GAME…FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE PLATE!
- NEW YORK YANKEES BOUGHT BY COL. JACOB RUPPERT
- RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
- LINDBERGH FLIES THE ATLANTIC!
- BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT
- THE DEMISE OF THE SOVIET UNION!
- PRESIDENT BUSH WINS 2000 ELECTION….BEFORE THE FLA. RECOUNT!
Friends of The Archives
- American Antiquarian Society
- American Heritage
- Ephemera Society of America
- Library of Congress
- National Museum of American History
- Smithsonian Institution
- The Newseum
- TheHistoryNet