Saint Paul Pioneer Press Newspaper, April 21, 1995 Appraisal
Category: Printed Ephemera
Description
The item is a copy of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press newspaper from Friday, April 21, 1995. The main headline reads "Searching for bodies, answers" and relates to the Oklahoma City bombing, with smaller headlines including "Suspects: FBI issues warrants for two men," "Victims: Explosion tears apart the very soul of the community," and "Security: America raises its guard against terrorism." There are also articles on topics such as "U.S. no longer the environmental leader" and Earth Day. The newspaper appears to be a standard broadsheet format, printed on typical newsprint paper which has yellowed slightly with age, particularly along the edges and folds. There are visible creases and folds across the surface, consistent with being read and potentially stored. The bottom edge shows some minor tearing and wear. The overall condition appears reasonable for its age, showing signs of use but no major damage that obscures the content. The masthead clearly identifies the publication as the "Pioneer Press" and the location as "Saint Paul." The images on the front page include a photograph of the damage from the bombing, a photograph of a woman, and a photograph of people in what appears to be a crowded outdoor scene.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press newspaper from April 21, 1995. The newspaper appears to be a genuine copy based on the visible masthead, date, and headlines relating to the significant Oklahoma City bombing event of that period. The condition is fair, showing expected signs of age such as yellowing of the newsprint, particularly at the edges and folds. Creases and minor tears along the bottom edge are visible, consistent with typical handling and storage of a newspaper from this era. While the physical condition is acceptable for its age, it is not pristine, which slightly impacts value. Newspapers covering major historical events, particularly those related to significant national tragedies like the Oklahoma City bombing, do hold some interest for collectors of historical ephemera. However, standard newspapers from this relatively recent date are not inherently rare. Millions of copies were printed, making them quite common in the secondary market. Demand is moderate, driven primarily by individuals interested in this specific historical event or regional history. Market data for comparable newspapers from the mid-1990s covering major news events suggests a modest value. Factors significantly impacting the value upward would be a pristine, unfolded condition (not the case here), or significant local interest in the Saint Paul area. Based on the visual examination, I can confirm the newspaper's apparent identity and condition. However, definitive authenticity verification without physical examination is limited. An in-person inspection would allow for tactile assessment of the paper quality, print method, and a more thorough examination for any potential alterations or reproductions (though reproduction of a standard newspaper front page is unlikely). Provenance documentation, such as how the newspaper was acquired and stored since 1995, would further support authenticity and value, but is not available from the image alone.
Appraisal Value
$10-20