[Tombstone Edition]
The Pennsylvania Journal
Artifact IDTL 2026.1.4
Object Type
Temporary Loan
Date
October 31, 1765
Printer
William Bradford III
(American, 1721 - 1791)
Place MadePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Medium
bifolium periodical
DimensionsOverall H 4 1/2 in x W 10 5/8 in x D 15 1/2 in (11.4 cm x 27 cm x 39.4 cm)
Physical DescriptionTombstone edition of The Pennsylvania Journal, (Philadelphia, PA), October 31, 1765.
Article begins: “I am sorry to be obliged to acquaint my Readers that the Stamp Act is feared to be obligatory upon us [. . .]”
This printed periodical "tombstone edition" of The Pennsylvania Journal; and Weekly Advertiser, is designed as a visual protest against the impending implementation of the British Stamp Act of 1765. The front-page layout features bold, black typography paired with heavy black mourning borders mimicking a cemetery gravestone. Under the main heading is "EXPIRING: In Hopes of a Resurrection to Life again". In the lower-right margin, a localized stamp placeholder features an explicit skull and crossbones caricature accompanied by the phrase, "An Emblem of the Effects of the STAMP - O! the fatal Stamp". The adjacent main columns contain an open address to readers from the publisher explaining his decision to halt publication rather than comply with the taxing of the free press.The top register displays an intricate woodcut masthead banner stylized as a heavy architectural tomb arch, which replaces the paper’s traditional decorative crest. This engraving features a central skull resting over crossed crossbones, flanked by a pair of gravedigging spades and pickaxes. Directly beneath this seal, the title header clearly states the publication issue details and date. The right margin features a vertical headline block printed sideways that reads, "Adieu, Adieu to the LIBERTY of the PRESS". At the bottom is the formal imprint attributing the publication to William Bradford at his Philadelphia shop.
This article shows the extreme, near universally negative trans-colonial reaction to the Stamp Act. The Act was never actually put into effect because of this reaction made on intellectual, political, economic, and legal grounds.
Article begins: “I am sorry to be obliged to acquaint my Readers that the Stamp Act is feared to be obligatory upon us [. . .]”
This printed periodical "tombstone edition" of The Pennsylvania Journal; and Weekly Advertiser, is designed as a visual protest against the impending implementation of the British Stamp Act of 1765. The front-page layout features bold, black typography paired with heavy black mourning borders mimicking a cemetery gravestone. Under the main heading is "EXPIRING: In Hopes of a Resurrection to Life again". In the lower-right margin, a localized stamp placeholder features an explicit skull and crossbones caricature accompanied by the phrase, "An Emblem of the Effects of the STAMP - O! the fatal Stamp". The adjacent main columns contain an open address to readers from the publisher explaining his decision to halt publication rather than comply with the taxing of the free press.The top register displays an intricate woodcut masthead banner stylized as a heavy architectural tomb arch, which replaces the paper’s traditional decorative crest. This engraving features a central skull resting over crossed crossbones, flanked by a pair of gravedigging spades and pickaxes. Directly beneath this seal, the title header clearly states the publication issue details and date. The right margin features a vertical headline block printed sideways that reads, "Adieu, Adieu to the LIBERTY of the PRESS". At the bottom is the formal imprint attributing the publication to William Bradford at his Philadelphia shop.
This article shows the extreme, near universally negative trans-colonial reaction to the Stamp Act. The Act was never actually put into effect because of this reaction made on intellectual, political, economic, and legal grounds.
Historical NoteFor American printers, the Stamp Act was a symbolic assault. With fewer than 50 pulp mills in the colonies, early presses imported English paper. Parliament exploited this dependency by adding a one-penny tax per sheet (about 46 cents today), payable only to crown-authorized distributors who could withhold paper at any time. Publishers struck back with symbolism equal to the occasion. The most famous protest was William Bradford’s "tombstone edition" of the Pennsylvania Journal, issued on the eve of the law taking effect. Framed in black mourning borders and a grave-marker masthead, it
announced the death of “Liberty of the Press.” Ultimately, almost no American newspaper paid the tax, and Bradford restarted his press on November 7th. But the political enemies Parliament made in the colonial printers became a defining feature of the American Revolution.
Additional Detailsannounced the death of “Liberty of the Press.” Ultimately, almost no American newspaper paid the tax, and Bradford restarted his press on November 7th. But the political enemies Parliament made in the colonial printers became a defining feature of the American Revolution.
Credit Lineon loan courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.On view
