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The amount of people seeking information on vintage & antique newspapers just blew me away. It seems everyone has an old copy of issues that feature the death of Elvis and John F. Kennedy. (They are not worth much at the moment.)

Many write in every week requesting information on the value of issues that feature events from WWI & II, and some have rare early issues that depict things like the sinking of the Titanic, front pages with photos of Babe Ruth and more.

With so much interest in finding the value of old newspapers, I figured it was time to do a more comprehensive article on them, but this time as you'll see, I've included a partial price guide and a link to an audio interview I've conducted with vintage newspaper expert William Smith.

Here is a link to Mr. Smith's website http://www.vintageoldnewspapers.com/

To find the episode featuring information on old newspapers, click here to get to the AuctionWally Show, it's ep43 you'll want to find. (Please note that that episode won't be aired until Tuesday evening 8PM EST Jan.5th.)

In that episode you'll find tons of useful information on what the values of modern era papers are worth, how to determine values, where to sell your collectible newspapers, how to care and preserve them, where to find great deals on old papers and more.

Well, that's all great, but you may have found this page in hopes of getting some pricing information, so below is a list of old newspapers and theirvalues.

Antique Newspapers

(Scroll down for info on vintage & modern era papers)

The London Gazette, March 25 - 28, 1678. The world’s longest continually published newspaper. Reports: from Copenhagen on the King and his effort to retake the Isle of Rugen; from Hamburg on Count Coningsmark and his troops; from Cologne on the Duke of Newburg; the surrender of Ipres; the Battle of Senesse. Much war/military news. Single sheet, printed both sides. Scattered foxing. ) $75 

The London Gazette, March 28 - April 1, 1678. Ftpg: half page Proclamation by the King "Recalling and Prohibiting Seamen from Serving for Foreign Princes and States." Many reports on military actions including continuation of reports in the previous lot. Count Coningsmarke, the Prince and Princess of Orange, Wismir. Report of the King and Queen and the whole court moving to St. Germans. Much more. Single sheet, printed both sides. Light scattered foxing. $75  

The Athenian Mercury, London, July 19, Sept. 17, & 20, 1692. Together three issues, each single sheet printed front and back. Fascinating question and answer format covering all manner of issues: social, male/female relations, moral, scientific. John Dunton was a popular religious and political satirist who ‘shot his arrows’ in all directions, as in his Dunton’s Whipping-Post; Or, A Satyr upon Every Body (London, 1706). A most fascinating read. Three rarely seen papers. All with scattered foxing, otherwise fine.  $100-125 

The Tatler, London, Sept. 23-26, 1710. Addison and Steele’s famous coffee house paper. Size 7.5 x 13", single sheet, printed both sides. Scattered foxing. $40 

The Spectator, London, July 4, 1712. Another of Addison and Steele’s coffee house papers. Size 7.7 x 12.5". Single sheet, printed both sides. Some fascinating old advertisements in this issue. Toned with a little foxing.  $40 

The Gentleman’s Magazine, London, June 1747. Proclamation by King Charles II to dissolve the current Parliament with accompanying letter by Parliament. With editorial on the dissolution. List of ships taken by the French and Spanish in the previous year. Nice issue.  $35

Columbian Centinel, Boston, Aug. 9, 1794. Page 2: "Battle on the Frontiers" tells of an attack by 1,000 Indians on an escort near Fort Recovery. Page 3 has a brief item mentioning the Whiskey Rebellion and says, "obedience to the laws of the People must be effected by the point of the bayonet." The rebellion is considered the first real test of the power of the newly created United States. It is also the only time in our history a standing President commands an army in ‘battle.’ Some foxing, otherwise sound.  $30

The Repertory, Boston, February 28, 1806. Page 2 report from New Orleans dated May 30 - LT. ZEBULON M. PIKE RETURNS FROM HIS EXPLORATION OF THE HEADWATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Pike was dispatched from Fort St. Louis with more than 30 men in April of the previous year to explore the main branch of the Mississippi River.  $45 

The Public Advertiser, N.Y., June 15, 1808; The North American, and Mercantile Daily Advertiser, Baltimore, Sept. 1, 1808; and National Intelligencer, Washington DC, May 27, 1826. Three issues containing numerous SLAVE ADVERTISEMENTS. Very light foxing. (B) $45 

Columbian Centinel, Boston, July 11, 1812, Dec. 12, 1812 and Oct. 2, 1813. Three issues with great news of the Navy’s involvement in the War of 1812. First contains a British account of the escape of the H.M.S. Belvidera from the American Squadron. Second has a story of the third Naval Triumph and a short report on the capture of the British frigate Macedonian by the U.S. frigate United States including a list of the killed and wounded onboard. The third documents the capture of the British schooner Highflyer by the U.S. Frigate President. Pg. 2 has progress of the war in the Chesapeake, on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and near Lake Champlain. One rough in margins, else very good. A great lot of three.  $60

The Weekly Register, Baltimore, Nov. 28, 1812; Portland Transcript, Portland ME, Jan. 19, 1839; and St. Johnsbury Caledonian, St. Johnsbury VT, June 14, 1878. Three issues concerned with the Indians. First includes and inside story on a battle fought with the Indians on the Illinois River. The second has reports from Florida from Gen. Taylor when his troops arrived at Fort Brook, at Deadman’s Bay. Also a report from Garey’s Ferry on the movement of the Indians and U.S. troops. Third concerns the Indians troubles near South Mountain, Owhyhee County in Idaho. Second with some light foxing, else very good.  $35 

Columbian Centinel, Boston Feb. 9, 1814; The Repertory, Boston, Feb. 18, 1806 and Dec. 17, 1805. Three issues concerned with the Napoleonic Wars. First includes the surrender of Dresden, progress of the Allies in Germany, and Bonaparte’s speech to the Legislature at Thulleries. Second has a ftpg. account of the Battle of Krems. Pg. 2 account of the battles at Wichua. The third includes Grand French Army Bulletins. Pg. 2 account of the capture of the city of Ulm and two letters from Napoleon. First with some binding holes on fold, else very good. The lot of three. $50 

The Salem Gazette, Salem MA, Sept. 1, 1820; Vermont Journal, Windsor, Mar. 17, 1866; and The Semi-Weekly Union, Wash. DC, Oct. 22, 1850. Three papers with stories concerning Black Americans. First has an extract from a letter concerning the slave trade - "The coast is swarming with vessels engaged in the slave trade, a great many of which are commanded by Americans." The second concerns Negro suffrage with remarks of Fred. Douglass at a hall in Washington DC. The last has a lengthy account of the first fugitive slave case in Philadelphia (the case of a Negro named Henry Garnett). First foxed, others very good. The lot of three papers.  $40 

Niles’ Weekly Register, Baltimore, Oct. 7, 1826, Sept. 5, 1829 and Aug. 13, 1831. Three issues with accounts of various Indian Treaties. First includes a short account of a treaty, recently concluded at Fond du Lac by Gov. Cass and Col. McKenny. The second concerns the treaty concluded at Prairie du Chien with the Winnebagoes and Pottawatamies. The third has an inside page account of the treaty between the U.S. and the Lewistown Indians. Octavo, each issue 16pp. A little light foxing.  $30 

National Gazette and Literary Register, Philadelphia, Mar. 21, 1829; New York Organ, Nov. 15, 1851; and The Riverside Echo, Portland ME, Dec. 21,1872. Three issues concerned with Indian Troubles. First concerns the troubles reported on the frontier of Arkansas Territory. Second has an inside story on Indian Diplomacy, with extracts of the speech of Walking Thunder at the Treaty with the Indians of Minnesota Territory. The third includes a long inside pg. Report on the Indians and a discussion concerning whether "to civilize or kill" them. Three interesting issues.  $35 

Yankee Farmer and Portland News Letter, Portland ME, June 17, 1837; New York Times and Commercial Intelligencer, July 19, 1839; and Christian Witness, Boston, Mar. 25, 1836. Three issues with accounts of the Seminole Indian War. First includes some particulars of the battle of Fort Mellon. The second reports Peace in Florida from St. Augustine. Third has accounts of Gen. Gaines engaging in several skirmishes with the Indians. First foxed, others very good. The lot of three issues.  $35 

New York Mirror, Sept. 15, 1838; New York Daily Tribune, Dec. 1, 1842; andGospel Banner, Augusta ME, Mar. 2, 1850. Three literary issues. First with a poem "The September Gale" by O.W. Holmes. The second with "Raphel" by John G. Whittier and the last with "Island of the Desert in an Hour-glass" by H.W. Longfellow. One with minor foxing. Lot of three issues.  $25 

Kendall’s Expositor, Washington DC, June 16, 1841. A lively political sheet produced by Amos Kendall, a self-appointed watchdog for the new Whig administration of Harrison and Tyler. Interesting opinions on the functioning of the government and special interests lobbyists show that very little has really changed!  $30 

National Intelligencer, Washington DC, Mar. 28, 1844; The New York Herald, Oct. 27, 1862; and The New York Times, Feb. 19, 1866. Three TEXAS issues. The first with the latest news from Texas being the negotiations with Mexico, condition of the Republic and annexation talk. The second has a front-page story on the capture of the Sabine Pass by Union Forces. The third includes reports on the affairs in Texas subtitled "A Graphic but Not Flattering Picture of Society" beginning, "This is the commercial capital of the Lone Star Dominions, and the city where they shoot cross-eyed men and red-headed women at sight, where they used to draw and quarter a Dutchman, scheme for emigrations, and eat pork until you can feel the bristles." Interesting reading in these three issues.  $40 

New York Daily Tribune, Feb. 25, 1845 and Apr. 9, 1855 and Daily Alta Californian, San Francisco, June 30, 1871. Three issues with Mormon news. The first with a short page 2 report from Nauvoo on the commotion in Hancock County. The second includes an inside page report from SLC about a serious collision between U.S. soldiers and the citizens, Mormons order out the Legion, threatening to destroy the whole battalion of U.S. troops. Col. Steptoe appointed governor of the territory with Brigham Young vice-governor. The third includes a lively letter from SLC concerning law and politics and the discordant ‘Gentiles.’ Third with a couple of tears, others fine.  $50 

Newburgh Excelsior, Newburgh, NY, Aug. 31, 1849; The New York Herald, May 25, 1849; and Portland Eclectic and Northern Home, Portland ME, Jan. 28, 1854. Three CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH issues. First includes a long Ftpg. letter from San Francisco, dated June 30, 1849 - Gold and Crime - Riches and Misery! Second reports the correspondent’s arrival at San Francisco and his first impressions. Mention of Capt. Sutter. Last includes an inside story concerning the great numbers of Chinamen which have gone to Shasta and the miners talk of expelling them. Some minor edge tears, overall very good. Lot of three issues.  $45 

Gospel Banner, Augusta, ME, July 6, 1850; National Intelligencer, Washington DC, May 26, 1849; and The Maine Democrat, Saco, May 18, 1852. Three issues concerning New Mexico Territory. First reports from Santa Fe - State Constitution Formed, Slavery Prohibited! Second reports military movements in New Mexico including Lt. Whittelsey and his 1st Dragoons fighting the Eutaws near the Rio Colorado, etc. The third has accounts of the deplorable state of New Mexico as reported from Santa Fe including the alarming extent of Indian depredations at Socorro, Corralitas, etc. First has a short back page tear, others very good. The lot of three issues. $35 

New-York Daily Tribune, April 17, 1850. Page 7 has: "California" "Experiences of a Gold Digger" being a personal & detailed account (in a letter to home) of the rudimentary lifestyle experienced by a miner. Very light foxing on 1st page only.  $15 

The New York Times, July 2, 1859, Sept. 14, 1865, and Oct. 13, 1866. ThreeEARLY BASEBALL reports. First includes Eckford Club vs. Putnam Club. Second calls baseball the National Game with a report on Enterprise vs. Eckford with names of players and box scores. Third reports on Eureka, of Newark, vs. Athletics, of Philadelphia - Star vs. Atlantic with names and scores. Lot of three.  $45 

The New York Times, Feb. 23, 1860; The New York Herald, Nov. 15, 1850; andNational Intelligencer, Wash. DC, Sept. 25, 1849. Three issues with reports from the West. First with pg. 2 account of the Lt. Mullan’s wagon road expedition in the Bitter Root Mountains including a letter from one of the party. Second includes news from the Plains, army movements and news from Texas. The third has a report from Portland OR on the lumber trade, wages of seamen and laborers, and the enterprise of Americans. An interesting lot. $35

New York Herald, July 20, 1861. Ftpg. headlines on important CIVIL WAR battle: "The Battle of Bull Run", "Engagement Between a Portion of Gen. Tyler’s Division and the Rebels", "A Brisk Ambuscade Fight with Concealed Foes", "Gallant Conduct of the Union Troops Under Fire", "Extravagant Rebel Report of the Battle." Additionally, "The Troops Engaged at Bull Run" lists the officers and regiments in the battle. An important issue in generally very nice condition. One short tear at left margin.  $85 

The New York Times, July 2, 1862 and Nov. 5, 1862; and New York Daily Tribune, Jan. 20, 1863. Three CIVIL WAR AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN issues. The first with important news from Washington and a call for Three Hundred Thousand Additional Troops and correspondence between the governors of the states and the President. Second has an Order of the President, signed in type by Abraham Lincoln. Third includes a special message from the President to Congress concerning the payment of the Army and Navy, signed in type by President Lincoln. One issue with a tear on the back page, else all very good.  The three. $45 

The New York Times, Feb. 1, 1862, Feb. 4, 1864 and May 3, 1863. Three CIVIL WAR issues. First includes story of the Naval skirmishes near Savannah and the latest from Gen. Hunter’s Department. Second reports on the Rebel advance in force on Newbern and operations in Western Virginia. The last has reports on the war in Western Virginia, the defeat of Gen. Mulligan’s forces at Fairmount, and reported successes of General Banks in New Orleans. Three fine issues.  $45 

New York Daily Tribune, Mar. 6, 1863, Feb. 2, 1864, and Dec. 10, 1864. Lot of CIVIL WAR papers. Reports on the war in Western Virginia, invasion of Pennsylvania, the War in Tennessee and reports from Sherman as he nears the coast with a formidable army in his front. Lot of 3 fine issues.  $45 

Evansville Daily Journal, Dec. 6, 1864. "SHERMAN" (bold type) & "The Fright in Georgia and South Carolina" "Military Guards Dragging out the Citizens to help Defend their Homes." Fine accounts. Binding holes in blank margin.  $20 

Daily Alta Californian, San Francisco, Jan. 9, 13, May 3, 4, & 5, 1871. Five issues packed full of news from California, the West and around the world. Large 10 column paper. Some chipped edges and light damp stain. (B) $50

Daily Evening Bulletin, San Francisco, Dec. 7, 1872; The Napa Register, Napa, Nov. 7, 1874; and Oakland Daily Times, Oakland, May 7, 1881. Three California papers with much interesting reading. Evening Bulletin masthead includes a small engraving of San Francisco Bay. Some edge chipping. Lot of three. (B)$40 

Harper’s Weekly, New York, July 24, 1886. Features a fabulous double page (20" x 14") engraving of a man-o-war steaming and firing all armament by J. O. Davidson. Several full page engravings: "Getting into the Port of New York" shows passengers at customs: finely dressed men, women and children; "Rail Shooting" by A. B. Frost shows two men standing in a boat in grassy waterland; and the "Illuminated Fountain" at the electrical exhibition in Philadelphia.  $50

National Art Magazine, Oct. 8, 1894 and Nov. 5, 1894, St. Louis, MO. Two complete issues with stiff covers, both featuring The North American Continent and including photographic views of the western states, including Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. An interesting pair.  $40 

The Wall Street Daily News, New York, Monday, Oct. 1, 1900. Large, bold title across top of page. This is a large, foldout broadside (printed one side only) that is a huge chart of the daily prices for 124 stocks and several commodities for the month of October, 1900; e.g. Western Union traded at 79-3/4 on the 5th. A rare and unusual item. Perfect for a stock broker - will make a very nice framed display.  $25

Leslie’s Weekly, New York, Oct. 11, 1906. Terrific full Ftpg engraving shows a racecar in action: "Peril & Excitement of Motor-Car Racing" features a driver and mechanic (leaning to inside of corner) at high speed in the Great Vanderbilt Cup Race on Long Island. Inside spread on the race with 15 illustrations of drivers and their cars including Lancia driving a 100 h.p. Many other fine illustrations and adverts.  $40

for more info go to: http://www.oldworldauctions.com

Rather than try to put together a detailed list and price guide for vintage and modern era newspapers, it will be much more useful to lay out guidelines for what is collectible and price ranges to expect.

Death of Elvis: There was so much written on the death of Elvis that there are literally millions of these papers still around on the secondary market. Because the collectibles market follows the same laws of supply and demand that all other markets follow, when there is a large supply the price is usually low. Death of Elvis papers in good condition usually sell in the $5-$15 range, and may be difficult to sell at any price.

Elvis papers before his death: Obviously, there are going to be a lot of factors to the value of these. Issues from the early part of his career will be worth more than say his comeback stories.

The general range for these 1950s-60s: $25-$50

Death of John Lennon: $25-$50 (Supply and demand)

Early Beatles: $10-$100 (Very rare issues can go higher) The Mersey Beat paper shown above has an asking price of $2,500.

Death of Kennedy: The same applies for JFK newspapers printed after his death as the Elvis papers.

$5-$15, if you can find a buyer.

Kennedy before the assassination: $10-$20 for most issues. The reason being is that there was an enormous amount printed. There are still a lot on the secondary market and these papers are just not scarce yet.

WWII: Most issues: $5-$10

Viet Nam: Most issues $5-$10 (Seems to be less available than WWII issues.

Modern Sports Records: Rickey Henderson's base stealing record, Barry Bonds home run record etc.

$5-$10

Obama Win & other monumental historical events: These are absolute wild cards. Shortly after Obama was elected copies of the NY Times were selling for up to $250! USA Today issues were bringing up to $100. To give you an idea on how crazy this all was, about a week later, USA Today announced it had plenty of back issues... for $5.00 each!

What will they be worth in the future, and what is the REAL value of them?

The real value of any collectible is determined by 2 people, the seller and the buyer.

Good Luck,

AW