* Is my historic newspaper genuine?
* The death of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln  is reported. How do I know if it is genuine?
* I have a Boston newspaper reporting the Boston Massacre with an engraving by Paul Revere. How much is it worth?

Although the vast majority of old newspapers on the market today are bona fide, genuine newspapers, there are a select few which have been reprinted through the years and which often turn up in private hands. The questions comes to us with great frequency: What is my newspaper worth? Is this a genuine newspaper? How can I tell if it is genuine?

Two clues might give evidence to a newspaper being a reprint:

1) Is it a volume one, number one issue? If so there is a strong possibility it is a reprint. It was not uncommon for newspapers to reprint on their 50th or 100th anniversary the very first newspaper they published that many years ago. Although created as a curiosity or souvenir for subscribers, such issues were often saved and handed down through generations. Now found in grandma's attic, the suspicion is the newspaper is genuine.

2) Does the issue report an extremely historic event? Not surprisingly, such issues would tend to be reprinted. Usually not reproduced to deceive the public, they were typically done on an anniversary of the event as a gift to subscribers of the newspaper, or perhaps as a premium giveaway for a commercial enterprise.

Some of the more commonly found reprints include:

* Boston Gazette & Country Journal, March 12, 1770 This issue has the first report of the Boston Massacre and includes a engraving by Paul Revere.

* The Boston News-Letter, April 24, 1704 This is a volume one, number one issue of the first successful newspaper in America.

* Daily Citizen, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2, 1863  This is a "curiosity" newspaper as both the genuine issue and the reprints were printed on the back of wallpaper.

* Ulster County Gazette, January 4, 1800 This issue has a death and funeral report on George Washington.

* New York Herald, April 15, 1865  This issue reports the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

* Public Ledger, Philadelphia, March 25, 1836 This is the volume one, number one issue.

A very helpful list of "Information Circulars" created by the Library of Congress can be consulted in determining genuine from reprint newspapers, found at:
www.loc.gov/rr/news/circulars/circulars.html

Similar questions arise when considering the purchase of an historic newspaper. The best rule of thumb remains: as with any item being considered for purchase, if you are not an expert in the field be sure the person selling the item is.