Happy New Year. Here is the news from 1741.

I thought we'd begin the blog's second year with this fascinating item purchased at the shop this morning. The very first edition of The Birmingham Gazette dated Monday November 16, 1741. Remarkably this fragile document, sold for a halfpenny, takes us back to the reign of King George II and the premiership of Sir Robert Walpole. It's main concern seems to be events throughout Europe and London including the conclusion of 'the Third Secret Expedition.' Condition is poor but all four pages are easily legible.