Asylum Record. A Paper of Local Interest Published at the N.H. Asylum. Vol. 1. No. 5

Quarto newspaper (255 x 375 mm., folded), 4 pp. Slight chipping to edges, with loss to a couple words at center horizontal fold. A couple spots of foxing. A Very Good copy of a remarkable and rare example of printing in unusual circumstances. Per OCLC, only two institutions hold any copies of the Asylum Record (Library Company of Philadelphia and the New Hampshire Historical Society). In the winter of 1887-1888, the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane installed a printing press for use by patients: "The means adopted to afford winter occupation to our male patients.have been continued with gratifying results. To those then adpted a printing press has been added. This is affording healthy diversion to those employed in its use, and much pleasure to many others in all parts of the house, through the Asylum Record, a newspaper which is issued from time to time. This records many of the passing events in our asylum community, and also contains many well-written articles of general interest. These are nearly all contributed by members of the household" (1888 annual report of the asylum). Along with short literary pieces (including Tolstoy's short story "God Sees the Truth, But Waits") and excerpts from other papers, this issue also contains a local news column that documents the lives of patients at the asylum. One snippet reads, "The dance Feb. 14 was much enjoyed, but as usual the ladies were in the majority. Horrible state of affairs gentlemen!" Another adds, "The editor was the recipient of many valentines. Room for more! we have a new wastebasket." According to the New Hampshire Historical Society, the paper ran from 1888 until at least 1894. The New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, the state's first mental institution and the seventeenth in the country, opened in Concord in 1842. The asylum operated until 1989, when it was reopened as the New Hampshire State Hospital. Very Good.…