Hot Off The Press – New Titles This Week

This week at The Archive, we have added another 190,692 new pages to our total count. We welcome three new titles that take us both underground into the mining industry, and across the water to 19th century Antigua. Additionally, we have updated nineteen of our pre-existing titles, including one final year to complete the 1956-1985 run of our 100 millionth title, Dundee Courier, as well as more to special interest title, Bicycling News.

So continue reading to find out more about our fascinating new pages for the first week of March, and also to uncover how the founder and editor of new title, The Star, helped curb piracy crimes against musicians in the early 20th century.

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The Mining Journal

The first title we will discuss today is 19th century publication, The Mining Journal. This week’s pages cover the years 1857-1894, comprising an impressive 48,202 pages of our total weekly count. Established in 1835 and founded by London stockbroker, Henry English, The Mining Journal cost six pence per issue. The journal reported on the activities of mining companies, covering global mining investment, finances, and general business proceedings.

Mining Journal | 08 August 1857

In 1963, the popularity of The Mining Journal allowed it to take over rival publication, Mining Magazine. The magazine was founded in 1909 by a wealthy mining engineer living in London. Notably, this engineer’s name was Herbert Hoover, and he would go on to become the 31st President of the United States of America from 1929-1933.

Additionally, The Mining Journal brought attention to the dangers of mining and industrial business hazards. In 1844, it successfully campaigned for the introduction of the first safety regulations for miners, thus bringing attention to the mechanics of mining and the positive impact brought about by increased safety features.

Mining Journal | 09 December 1871

Improved mining features included lamps. hydraulic cartridges, cages, and tubing. The path of development of each of these separate elements can be traced throughout the years of The Mining Journal. It’s important to note that the journal also published reports on accidents occurring within the mines, only further necessitating the need for safety advancement. The 1865 government inspection of coal mines, published on 16 March,1867, presented the ongoing dangers faced by miners:

The reports…present a less satisfactory account, there having been an increase in the number of separate accidents to the extent of 60, and an increase of 117 in the number of deaths resulting…In explosions there has been an increase, as compared with the preceding year, and there has likewise been a very considerable increase in the miscellaneous accidents.

The Mining Journal was crucial in exposing authentic and current news concerning the mining industry, thus identifying it as valuable historical documentation on the traceable history of mining business in the 19th century.

The Antigua Times

Next up on our list of new titles is The Antigua Times. This title is short but sweet, consisting of only four pages per issue. It cost sixpence and was published every Saturday evening to its faithful readership.

Antigua Times | 02 March 1872

The Antigua Times was based in London and covered a variety of topics, from furniture advertisements and new book publications, to properties to rent or buy, and finally to economical and political dealings.

The Star

Lastly, we journey to the world of The Star. This London evening newspaper was founded in 1888 and was published daily. We have added 1893 to 1918 of this fascinating title, which has produced 34,842 brand new pages on The Archive.

The Star became known in its early stages due to its sensationalising of the 1888-1891 Whitechapel Murders. It has been rumoured that it was one of The Star’s own journalists who wrote the ‘Dear Boss’ letter that handed Jack the Ripper his name, in order to boost circulation of the budding newspaper.

Star | 29 January 1910

The Star continued to report on theories surrounding Jack the Ripper, interviewing those witness to the crimes. In an issue from 01 December, 1900, police officer Thompson reported that he ‘came upon the ghastly work of Jack the Ripper.’ continuing on to state that Thompson, ‘actually heard “Jack’s” steps scurrying off into the darkness as he entered the arch. This was his first big adventure – and it was an early one, for he had only been in the force just six weeks.’

The Star existed independently until 1960, wherein it was merged with The Evening News and subsequently became The Evening News and Star.

Our Updated Titles

Alongside our three new titles this week, we have updated a substantial nineteen of our pre-existing titles. Among this impressive collection are special interest titles, Bicycling News and Herapath’s Railway Journal. If you have been enjoying our 100 millionth title, Dundee Courier, you may be excited to hear we have now added 1860 to The Archive. As such, we now have the range 1956-1985 fully available on our site. Alongside this are 12,410 new pages of Grantham Journal and 11,240 pages of Pawnbroker’s Gazette.

You can learn more about each of the titles we add every week by clicking on their names.

Thomas Power O’Connor

The Star was founded and edited by Irish nationalist and politician, Thomas Power O’Connor. He was otherwise known as T.P. O’Connor, or ‘Tay Pay’ as a mimicry of the Irish pronunciation. Born in 1848, he served as a member of parliament in the House of Commons for almost fifty years, thus cementing him as an incredibly influential politician within the United Kingdom. Additionally, O’Connor gained notoriety as a journalist and editor, which allowed him to become a fellow of The Chartered Institute of Journalists, the oldest professional association for journalists in the world.

Leicester Catholic News | 07 June 1924

Thomas Power O’Connor played a crucial part in the Parliamentary passing of The Musical Copyright Act of 1906, which sought to bite down on piracy crimes committed by gangs during the early 20th century. Many musicians were stuck living in poverty due to excessive piracy of sheet music. Pirate gangs would copy and sell the music at half the price of its original cost, plunging many artists into economic turmoil. O’Connor was a significant influence in the August 04 passing of the 1906 Musical Copyright Act, which imposed hefty penalties on those found to be in unlawful possession of such material. He championed its harsh punishment publicly, commenting on its necessity during several 1906 parliamentary debates. He was so outspoken about the legislation that many termed it, ‘Thomas Power’s Musical Copyright Bill’.

Star | 14 December 1907

The passing of the Act was exceedingly warranted, for on 04 December, 1903, The Star published that, ‘The Musical Copyright Association reports that during November, 45,024 pirated copies of music were seized through its agency.’ This was roughly £3,000 worth of losses in 1903, which would be significantly more in today’s money.

The 1945 film, I’ll Be Your Sweetheart, commissioned by The British Ministry of Information, is based on the events of the time.

Discover more about the implementation of The Musical Copyright Act of 1906, or Thomas Power O’Connor’s work, in the pages of The Star today.

New Titles

Updated Titles

This week we have updated nineteen of our pre-existing titles. Click on a title to read more about it. On each paper’s title page, you can read a free sample issue, learn more about our current holdings, and our plans for digitisation.

You can keep up to date with all the latest additions by visiting the recently added page.  You can even look ahead to see what we’re going to add tomorrow.