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How to Find an Old Newspaper

Newspapers started publishing in the 18th century and have reported on events large and small ever since. Banner headlines trumpet the start of wars and the declarations of peace. Daily papers even detail the cycles of everyday life, announcing engagements, weddings, births and deaths.

History buffs, collectors and everyday people who just want a memento of a special day all have their own reasons for finding an old newspaper. Locating an old newspaper may not be as easy as checking your local recycling center, but the search can yield a souvenir to be treasured for years to come.

Instructions

- 1
  
  Find a copy of an old newspaper on microfilm.
  
  Decide if you need an original copy of an old newspaper. Original copies are limited or may no longer exist. Costs go up with age of original copies of newspapers--be prepared to pay more when you find your old newspaper. Older editions of many major newspapers can be located on microfilm or digital storage and printed out if an original copy isn't needed.
- 2
  Contact the newspaper's publisher if the newspaper you need is less than six months old. Some newspapers offer copies for sale, depending on availability. If you don't need an original, find an old newspaper online through the publisher's archive. The publisher's archive may offer you the option to print the newspaper for free or may sell reproductions of the newspaper.
- 3
  Learn about determining the authenticity of an older newspaper before buying one. If you find an old newspaper from a source other than the publisher, be aware that newspapers going back to the 19th century have been copied and may not be originals. By 1992, the Newspaper Collectors Society of America identified more than 500 reprinted newspaper editions.
- 4
  Check locally to find an old newspaper. Contact your local bookstores and antique stores. Even if the bookstore doesn't have the newspaper that you're seeking, it may be able to order a newspaper or give you other leads. Go to flea markets and check with vendors there. Libraries sometimes sell older books, periodicals and newspapers to free up storage space. Check with your local library for information about sales.
- 5
  Advertise in periodicals and online. Check your local library to find magazines devoted to antiques and collecting and place an ad for the old newspaper that you're trying to find. Place ads in local collectible societies' newsletters or on their websites. Advertise in publications by historical societies in the area where the newspaper was published.
- 6
  Purchase a copy of the newspaper online through a collectible dealer. Check the Library of Congress website for suggestions on where to find and buy old newspapers. Online dealers offer reproductions and original copies of old newspapers. Once you find the old newspaper that you wish to buy, check the reviews and ratings of any online dealer before buying to be certain that you're conducting business with a reputable dealer.

Other Collecting