Lincoln Discussion Symposium

I have been collecting and researching the Lincoln assassination for 50 years. In that time I also collected variants of New York Herald April 15, 1865 reprints. So far I have documented 52 different times this edition was reprinted between 1871 and the 1970s -- most being pre-1900. To someone that does not collect historic newspapers, they look old so it must be authentic. So far I have documented 52 different times this edition was reprinted between 1871 and the 1970s -- most being pre-1900. To someone that does not collect historic newspapers, they look old so it must be authentic.

An average of 3 of these reprints popup on eBay each week. Almost all of them claim the specimen they are offering is authentic. The sad part is that at least half of them actually sell -- and a few of them go for outrageous amounts like a recent one that sold for $237.00 on eBay. Althugh they don't show up as often in small local auctions that ALL are actually the reprint verisons. My estimate is that at least ONE MILLION reprints of this edition were produced!!!! A "good" price to buy one of these reprint verisons is in the $20-$30 range.

An average of 3 of these reprints popup on eBay alone each week. Almost all of them claim the specimen they are offering is authentic. The sad part is that at least half of them actually sell -- and a few of them go for outrageous amounts like a recent one that sold for $237.00. Although they don't show up as often in small local auctions ALL are actually the reprint verisons. Attending dozens of such local auctions offering this newspaperr have told me this. My estimate is that at least ONE MILLION reprints of this edition were produced!!!! A "good" price to buy one of these reprint verisons is in the $20-$30 range.

I have produced an online Atlas of Know April 15, 1865 New York Herald reprints. I can be accessed at: http://www.historyreference.org/newspape...assination
http://www.historyreference.org/newspape...assination

Rick Brown
HistoryReference.org
(Formerly HistoryBuff.com)
A Nonprofit Organization

Rick - years ago, a group of us decided that "authentic" is a word that is mis-used to convince people that they are dealing with the real McCoy, when in essence it means that it has been reproduced to appear as an original. We were getting trapped by claims of authentic clothing. It was actually a commercial gimmick to trick people into buying what they thought were antique pieces.

Some of our linguists might disagree with our interpretation, but so far it has worked for me. Don't trust that "authentic" is the same as "original."

I bought a reprint at Ford's back in the 70's. Forget what I paid for it, but it still hangs (framed) on a wall here at home

Laurie,

I recently did a search on eBay using the single word "rare." The results was that there was 2,7827,817 items listed as "rare." Then "authentic" with 3,893,020 results. Next, "original" had 2,746,013 listings. How can so many things be rare, authentic, or original?

Rick Brown
HistoryReference.org
A Nonprofit Organization

Rick: good to hear from you. Do you own an authentic copy?

Yes, I do. Bought it about 10 years ago for $500. Today, it is worth $1,800!

Rick Brown
HistoryReference.org
A Nonprofit Organization

(09-08-2015 12:04 PM)historybuff22 Wrote: [ -> ]Yes, I do. Bought it about 10 years ago for $500. Today, it is worth $1,800!

Rick Brown
HistoryReference.org
A Nonprofit Organization

Nice!