Richard Robinson has history at his fingertips: he collects newspapers. As curator of his own museum to journalism, Robinson stores innumerable multitudes of articles, editorials, comics, and commentaries. In an interview with the LA Times, Robinsion admits he’s a rare collector, due to the bulkiness of broadsheets, but assured the writer that newspapers are at least 25 times more fun than stamps or coins.
While I admit I haven’t the room for newspapers (although if I probably cleared out some of the other ‘junk’ I might find a little space), I can’t pass up a chance to pick up some timely newspapers, or their ephemeral 
cousin, the magazine. New publications are just that: new publications—and can rarely compete with their older relatives. That’s not to say print quality or the fineness of the paper are being compared; I’m referring to the contents. Collections of the printed word, whether a book or a screenplay or a newspaper, are meant to be read. Newspapers might be the most fragile of some, no doubt collectors do their best to keep their treasured items in as accessible a way as possible. At the very least, the most striking articles, those on the front page, are readily accessible.
On the morning of September 12th, 2001, eBay was flooded with new auctions for the freshly-printed newspapers, hot off doorsteps from around the world, announcing the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York. The news wasn’t new to the reader — most people saw the images and heard the stories, theories, and rhetoric on TV and radio the day before — but a newspaper is history recorded for posterity. Even in landfills, of which newspapers are a large percent of the volume, newspapers can last years before disintegrating. We see newspapers as a long-lasting record of history, as it occurs. The history books may get the big picture right eventually, but newspapers bring the snapshot view of news, as it happens, from a daily standpoint. Truman waving a Chicago Tribune reading “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN” is embedded in everyone’s mind as an example of newspapers not quite fitting the truth, but that doesn’t stop them from commanding a premium today.
As the Newspaper Collectors Society of America explains in their “primer” on newspaper collecting, this value as a historical record is what drives the value of a newspaper. The historical significance needn’t be spot-on accurate (Robinson’s copy of a newspaper pronouncing the Titanic’s survival of the iceberg impact is worth $800), its connection to historically relevant events is what’s important. A newspaper I once owned—and, of course, parted with on eBay—discussing the JFK assassination mostly reprinted the wire stories and photos, but had one small corner occupied a interview with a local author who condemned Kennedy’s support for civil rights and basically said Kennedy got what was coming to him. In our desire for the big picture, the documentary viewpoint of collected aspects and focused down into an understandable solid, we often forget to notice the human aspects of history: the incorrect opinions, the era-appropriate assumptions based on class and society, the optimistic views of the future, and the unverified or undocumented facts reported as truths. An early 1960s ‘night life’ paper from Chicago can give an insight into the ‘discotheque’ movement, embodied by the new Whiskey A Go-Go, with their never-before-seen “go go dancers.” Hearing a politician’s early words might give a clearer idea of why they are who they are today. Someone with an interest in film might like to hear, right from the director or lead actor, what their unsure or optimistic thoughts are on their upcoming project — one that we might know now as a Star Wars, Schindler’s List, or Rocky Horror Picture Show. The news of the past, unclouded by hindsight, is a treasure to be appreciated.
In my experience, estate sales and auctions are a good source for the “common” historical newspapers: Kennedy assassination (either of them), man walking on the moon, various elections, sports victories, and, of course, 9/11. While they are not particularly rare, they are a starting point for a larger collection (and, of course, isn’t that where collections always go?). eBay, online auctions, and ephemera swap meets are sources for rarer, obscure, or otherwise more desirable examples of newspapers. Newspapers printed over the past century tend to be printed on a high-acid paper which is also reactive to light, causing brown and brittle pages, but those older than Victorian times are mostly printed on a rag-based paper which retains its like-new quality much longer. Modern papers, in the interest of decomposition, are not designed as a permanent record, but with proper care newer papers can be kept in near-new quality for as long as possible. the Newspapers Collectors Society recommends storing newspapers flat, and I can attest that newspapers stored folded to tend to break apart along the stress of the fold. Because newspapers come from many sources, in many editions, there is plenty of opportunity to focus on a single event or topic without exhausting opportunities too quickly. Any collector with an interest in history would be neglectful to ignore newspaper articles from their favorite times.
Tags: collecting, journalism, newspaper, newsprint, Richard Robinson
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December 17th, 2006 at 7:13 PM
Derek, do you know where I can get free scans of the JFK assassination coverage from the following issues somewhere online:
29 Nov 1963
6 Dec 1963
2 Oct 1964
25 Nov 1966
24 Nov 1967
I’ve been searching, google has 12 million websites/blogs just on Life magazine alone, around 50,000 fro Zapruder.
I’m looking for the articles that have the zapruder film frames and the other assassination photos from these issues for a History fair project and also my private collection of visuals.
Any help you might be able to give me will be greatly appreciated. Take care & have a great Christmas
Keller
December 18th, 2006 at 10:11 PM
I’m not Derek, but I’m a library employee. I’d highly suggest calling your local library (if you haven’t already) and seeing what they have on microfiche / microfilm! Or even if they have micro-readers anymore… a lot of non-academic libraries have phased them out in favor of the not-as-complete ProQuest database and the like.
Let me know how it goes!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:35 AM
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January 28th, 2008 at 12:15 AM
[...] While I’ve got lots of maps — survey maps, tourist maps, maritime maps, maps large and small — I admit I haven’t taken very good care of them. Maps are best stored in flat-drawers, the kind also used for blueprints and newspaper collections. A newspaper analogy is a good one, because maps often come originally folded, may be printed on both sides, and are on a large single sheet of paper. Maps are often printed on nicer paper than newspapers, but unless printed recently the paper cannot be assumed acid-free, and some of the most interesting maps, like this one of Chicago in the 19th century, was printed cheaply on newsprint and wasn’t intended to survive past the World’s Fair: [...]
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:30 AM
[...] of ephemeral publishing. They’re far more permanent than a lot of ephemera, closer to books than newspapers are, but by the magazine’s periodical nature a replacement appears on a regular basis. A lot of [...]
February 11th, 2008 at 1:26 AM
[...] there are those who collect the newspaper, in its entirety, those yellowed, crumbling pages of an old paper have something to offer other [...]
February 20th, 2008 at 4:26 PM
I was just wondering, if anyone is interested in buying a Sept 13, 1959 San Antonio newspaper, its almost 50 years old. If anyone wants it e-mail me at r1co008@yahoo.com
March 8th, 2008 at 4:15 AM
My Grandfather had a paper in a small town in Minnesota. I have the hard cover bound copies from about 1918 up to the early 40s. Have looked a bit into selling them … anyone interested? merrimoon@frontiernet.net
March 8th, 2008 at 3:19 PM
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March 29th, 2008 at 11:05 PM
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December 2nd, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Greetings to everyone, I just want to know who is interested in buying a 1924 and 1923 New York Herald with certificate of authentication. Please let me know my e-mail is reminis_breaker@hotmail.com..
January 15th, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I have tons of JFK newspapers for sale, The Milwaukee Journal, Reagan shot Ogden Standard-Examiner , 1963 anyone interested please let me know tbochatyn2@gmail.com
January 20th, 2009 at 12:57 AM
I have bound volumes of the New York Journal newspapers Jan-feb. 1901, the first few pages are not to good but the rest other than edges are good. Historical events in these 54 papers is unbeliveable,Several of the articles are Queen victorias death and before and after, the French, Vanderbuilt wedding with pages of gifts and pictures of same,Teddy Rosevelt hunting trips for mtn. lions and many Terrible Teddy cartoons, many McKinnely minstrels cartoons and numerous baby articles and contests from all over the U.S.,many pictures of Rosevelt , Queen victoria and the new King covers many pages. There is reference to the oil strike in Houston Texas with a photo. Several pictures of Mark Twain. Sports pictures of N.Y.Giants , to many sports articles to mention and horse racing in its early stages including photos, the list is seemingly endless. Would like to sell them together but do not want to be foolish , any info or fruitful concerns welcome at joyjoe2@msn.com
February 13th, 2009 at 5:23 PM
I have articles from the New York Times 1912 on the Titanic sinking I wish to sell.
Also, article from New York Times 1915 on Lusitania sinking I wish to sell also.
Anyone interested let me know
l.jacobetz@comcast.net
February 13th, 2009 at 10:29 PM
I have an old newspaper The Union Wahington City
Friday night May 16, 1845 (Yes 1845)
I am wishing to sell this paper there are alot of interesting information in it.
Contact Amber Or Daniel at
asbdabev@yahoo.com or 870-510-0272 / 870-510-0141
February 13th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
the paper is called The Daily Union
March 15th, 2009 at 1:37 AM
i have a complete set of a socalist newapaper published by my greatgrandfather in mexico, weekly almost four years. jusi checking to see what interest there is. i can be contacted at cyril1933@yahoo.com
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:21 AM
hello
I have realy old and rear newspaper coletion. Its lithuanian newspaper cold “saltinelis”. It was going from 1923 till 1925. And i have almoust all of them.
Maybe there is some people who are interested to buy it. The price is high but there are only two ore three of colections left in all the world.
If so please contact me mykolas.gudelis@subaru.lt
November 4th, 2009 at 12:22 AM
I have the globe newspaper 1963 of the kennedy assasination
April 13th, 2010 at 6:19 AM
Hi, I’d like to say thank you for an outstanding blog about a topic I have had an interest in for some time now.I have been lurking and reading the posts avidly so wanted to express my gratitude for providing me with some very good reading material. I look forward to more, and taking a more active role in the discussions here, whilst learning too!!
May 10th, 2010 at 8:23 PM
Heya people. I was cleaning out my old barn, and to my surprise I found these old newspapers! They were the Miami News, and they had coverage on J.F.K’s assassination, ads of the day, coverage of Oswald’s trial, and Hurricane Donna. If anyone knows or can guess how much these newspapers are worth, send it to ronnie.druce@yahoo.com
May 15th, 2010 at 1:46 PM
I have Sunday March 15, 1942 LA Examiner Pull Out Color Maps of maritime battlefields. War Extra Editions dated Feb 28, 1944, Dec 16, 1942 and Sunday Mar 29, 1942. Also a Dec 11, 1938 Sunday LA Examiner. Anyone interested? email 1k9rvt@sbcglobal.net
June 6th, 2010 at 8:20 PM
I have the Nov 23 1963 NY Times from Kennedy’s assasination plus some onther in the days surrounding. How do I find out what they are worth? Where should I sell them?
June 19th, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Ihave an april 27 1959 issue of life magazine plus 3 editions of 1942 My Weekly Reader good condition. What are they worth and ho3w can I sell them?
June 20th, 2010 at 2:28 PM
We have old newspapers, dating back to March 6th, 1917. Several issues of World War 1, and Armistice Day. Also issues of President Harding’s death in 1923. What are they worth, and how can we sell them?
June 20th, 2010 at 4:24 PM
I Have a 1963 Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, NC Near to where i live. It reads “Kennedy Is Assassinated Johnson NEW President” ALL three BOOKS! I found It in a Foreclosure clean out along with a lot of other interesting things… Email Me if you are interested in Purchasing the NEWSPAPERS… Thank you
July 7th, 2010 at 9:38 PM
I have a Detroit Free Press newspaper dated Wednesday September 12, 2001…of course the headline is about 9-11 reading AMERICA’S DARKEST DAY. Does anyone know if this is worth anything or how I would find out?
July 19th, 2010 at 12:43 AM
I have a JFK death newspaper from the Chicago Sun-Times, 1963. It is in perfect shape, bright white, only a small tear on the side of the front page. Otherwise it looks like it was printed yesterday. If you are interested in buying this from me, make me an offer.
fairydustt@live.com
August 18th, 2010 at 10:25 AM
August 18, 2010
To Whom It May Concern
I have a New York Herald newspaper of April 15, 1865 8:10 edition.
This covers the death of Abraham Lincoln.
I have researched all the articles stating the information that reprints contain and have found none to be in my paper such as: advertisements for certain things, no pictures, etc.
The most important proof that I have that the paper is not a reprint is the fact that I had it tested in 1982 by Crane & Co. (papermaker of the US currency) and found to be 100% rag.
When I had the paper tested in 1982 I was instructed to put it between Mylar to preserve it. I placed each page between two pieces of stiff Mylar to keep it flat with no folds.
This original has two pages and they are back to back. The front page does not have the number one but other pages are numbered 2,3,4. I will be looking forward to hearing from someone on this.
Please respond to my e-mail address. oakesroad@verizon.net
September 17th, 2010 at 3:33 PM
I have looked on google & ebay, etc. & can not find exactly or close to what my JFK assasination newspaper can go for. I have 2 newspapers. One, is dated 11/23/1963 from a Fort Myers newspaper talking about the shooting & more with a frontpage picture of JFK in his car with his wife 1 minute before the shooting. — The other newspaper I have is dated 11/26/1963 with many pictures of the funeral of JFK & more. That is from Fort Myers also. Any idea of where I can look or who to talk to for an idea of the value? Thanks
October 31st, 2010 at 8:54 AM
i have a november 28th 1920 sunday harold, a september 21st 1919 edition of the sunday harold with pictures of babe ruth when he played for the boston red sox. also a october 31st 1920 edition of the sunday harold,a august 4th 1918 edition with pictures of the war. do you know of anyone who would be interested in collecting these papers. thank you lisa.
November 14th, 2010 at 11:10 AM
i have an extra extra newspaper from milwaukee wisconsin “JFK SLAIN” my mom always tolsd us kids that that was the only milwaukee journal extra extra newspaper… not to sure if thats rite or not she passed away before i decided to research it…my family also has the milwaukee journal when john lennon was shot and killled
November 14th, 2010 at 11:13 AM
my collectible newspapers one has beeen in a picture fram for 40 plus years and the others have been in a photo album so the condition is not the greatest… what can i do now to try to preserve them
November 14th, 2010 at 11:14 AM
and what are collectible newspapers worth and where can i get them checked out and maybe who purchases them??? thx
November 29th, 2010 at 4:51 PM
I HAVE LOTS OF NEWSPAPERS OF JKK, NIXON, MOON WALK. I EVEN HAVE ONE ON FROM JUNE 6 1944. I ALSO HAVE SOME LIFE MAGS. ALL ARE ON HISTORIC EVENTS ALL VINTAGE WHO WILL BUY THEM?? THANKS
December 16th, 2010 at 9:56 PM
I have a Chicago Tribune November 23,1963 in great condition for sale. JFK Assasination & LBJ Sworn in on front page.If interestrd make an offer.NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED! CONTACT ME AT martye16361@att.net
January 17th, 2011 at 6:42 PM
I have several old newspapers that I want to sell you may call to see what all I have a few have JFK, famous boxers. I also have very old books and childrens books. You can contact me at 601-796-3390
January 28th, 2011 at 10:03 PM
We have a November 23, 1963 issue of the Rocky Mountain News. It has the assassination of President Kennedy on the front. Any information on the value of this would be appreciated. Contact me at jumper_68@netzero.net
March 14th, 2011 at 1:56 PM
I have a December 8, 1927 article of The New York Times newspaper Vol# LXXVII. It’s incased in a black frame. I would like to sell this collectible. Please contact me by email.
Thank You,
Jennifer
April 22nd, 2011 at 7:19 AM
I just wanted to know is there any value to the last printing of the herald examiner?
April 26th, 2011 at 5:16 PM
I have an original newspaper ( The Miami News ) of President John F.Kennedy,it is complete with age damage was wondering if it might be worth anything and if so how do i go about selling it?
May 26th, 2011 at 7:22 PM
i have the 1966 detroit free press with some info on mlk and Kennedy and etc
June 8th, 2011 at 9:38 AM
i have a stack of old newspapers on the kennedys and the queen, i was wondering if they would be worth anything.