In A Newport Minute | 1836-1845

This video is the 7th in our series, In A Newport Minute, created by the Newport Historical Society as part of Newport’s contribution to America Turns 250. Each installment highlights a moment in American history within a ten‑year span, beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day.

Across these 25 short videos, we’ll explore how Newport grew, adapted, and evolved alongside the nation—sometimes in step with national events, sometimes in its own unique way. Our goal is to bring local history to life and show how our community’s story fits into the larger American narrative.

We invite you to follow along every two weeks as we share new chapters in Newport’s past.

Overview

In 1839 Henry Baldwin created a political cartoon—later adapted into a woodblock masthead—that launched the Whip & Spur, a short-run campaign newspaper published from Newport supporting Democratic candidates. The four-page paper, printed intermittently every four years from 1839–1860, combined bold illustrations with partisan commentary to influence voter perceptions.

The Whip & Spur achieved notable circulation (4,000 to 12,000 copies) despite hand-press limits, and its illustrative approach is credited locally as the first newspaper illustration in the world. The newspaper’s legacy is preserved through Newport Historical Society archives and contemporary accounts highlighting Baldwin’s visual impact on political reporting.

All of the videos in the series can be viewed using the link below:

Sources:

• Information and pictures of Henry Baldwin: Thanks to Ray Reid for sharing.
• Richards Free Library Digital Archives.
• Newport Historical Society collection of Whip & Spur newspapers.

Key Words:

Whip & Spur, Newport NH, Henry Baldwin, Edmund Burke, NH Argus and Spectator, political cartoon, woodblock masthead, first newspaper illustration, 1839, Faneuil Hall, Boston political rally, General James Wilson, Whig party, Democratic candidates, New Hampshire governor race, campaign newspaper, presidential election editions, 1839-1860, hand press printing, Nettleton Block, Main Street, Sunapee Street, four-page newspaper, nationwide circulation, 4000 copies, 12000 copies, political reporting history, Newport Historical Society, Richards Library Digital Archives, newspaper illustrations, voter influence, candidate personality and emotions, American political history, early political journalism, historical newspapers

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