Revolutionary War Newspapers

As the lone formal source for news in its day, newspapers held an important place in early American history. During the American Revolution, newspapers passed along news of monumental victories and crushing defeats. Revolutionary War newspapers were not only sources of news, but satire and editorials. Once the Americans had won their independence from Britain, the founders struggled with how newspapers should be regulated. Even after passage of the Bill of Rights, the freedom of speech was a hotly contested issue.

Some of the more prominent pre-Revolutionary War newspapers included The New England Courant, The Pennsylvania Gazette (right), The South Carolina Gazette, and The Virginia Gazette.  As the American Revolution gained momentum, newspapers such as The Massachusetts Spy, The Salem Gazette, and the Philadelphia Evening Post gained stature and became trusted news sources. 

	1775 Phila. PA Newspaper BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL Revolutionary War Charlestown MA	$3,550.00
	1781 Revolutionary War newspaper BATTLE of YORKTOWN Cornwallis Surrender 1stRept	$1,200.00
	Rare orig1778 Revolutionary War newspaper NEW YORK ROYAL GAZETTE James Rivington	$1,200.00
	1782 Revolutionary War newspaper EARLY POST OFFICE + Battle of Yorktown VIRGINIA	$500.00
	1866 FEMALE REVIEW BIOGRAPHY & 1804 BOSTON WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ON DEBORAH SAMPSON	$500.00
	EDMUND BURKE Speech Revolutionary War 1775 PA Newspaper	$490.00

Revolutionary War newspapers were critical to the overall success of the American cause.  As the war spread throughout the colonies, newspapers became a powerful voice that helped unite the people.  They carried editorials, satires, and stories of patriotic heroism from the battlefield.

Newspapers from the Revolutionary War make an outstanding collectible. They make excellent display artifacts and allow collectors to see the world through the eyes of the Revolutionaries. Major newspapers from significant cities - Philadelphia, Boston, New York City - carry a premium, as do papers carrying a major story.

Popular Revolutionary War Newspapers

The Philadelphia Gazette - after being purchased by Benjamin Franklin in 1729, The Philadelphia Gazette became one of the most popular newspapers in America and remains a popular choice with collectors today. 

Philadelphia Evening Post - on July 6th, 1776, the Evening Post was the first Early American newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.  Other newspapers didn't even mention the historic document until weeks later.