1875 Louisville "Courier-Journal" Newspaper Collection (4) - Full Coverage of the First Kentucky Derby!

Sold For:

$360

Year:

1875

Auction:

2020 Spring

Lot #:

2477

Category:

Boxing/Golf/Other Cards or Memorabilia

On May 17, 1875, in what would become one of our country's most celebrated annual sporting events, the first running of the Kentucky Derby was held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Offered here is an exceedingly rare offering of four separate issues of Louisville's local newspaper, The Courier-Journal, which provide unprecedented coverage of that first historic race. The issues in this collection, all of which are complete newspapers, are dated May 2, May 16, May 17, and May 18, 1875. It must be noted that these are the only examples of these issues of The Courier-Journal we have ever seen, and we have never seen any other local Kentucky newspapers featuring covering of the first Kentucky Derby. These issues feature advertisements for the Derby (including illustrations of of the trophy cup), previews of the race, same day coverage, and, of course, the results. In the May 17th issue, the paper begins its coverage with a most prescient comment: "To-day will be historic in Kentucky annuals, as the first 'Derby Day,' of what promises to be a long series of annual turf festivities, which we confidently expect our grandchildren, a hundred years hence, to celebrate in glorious centennial rejoicings. . . ." Each double-sided newspaper (24 x 29 inches) displays a horizontal fold and small edge tears along the left border (most likely resulting in their removal from a bound album); otherwise all are in Excellent condition overall and look much as they did when originally issued. This is an outstanding primary-source collection for the first Kentucky Derby, and one that would be the highlight of any advanced horse-racing collection. Total: 4 issues. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).