election

The price of a piece of history went from $1.25 to as high as $199.99 as collectors scrambled for copies of the post-election editions of The New York Times and other newspapers.

At a time when the newspaper industry is struggling, Barack Obama’s historic election spurred a run on old-fashioned newsprint in New York and beyond. On eBay, Craigslist and other Internet sites, papers were being hawked for big bucks.

Newspaper publishers from New York to Chicago, meanwhile, scrambled to print extra copies as readers lined up to buy them.

Worth the Times

“This is worth at least about three hours,” Carol Delgado, who was among the throng queued in front of The Times’ W. 40th St. headquarters. “I’ve been voting since 1972 and I’ve never been so happy.”

Jeff Wortham, who also joined the line, remembered the paper being sold out after 9/11 and after the Giants won the Super Bowl. “This is significant,” Wortham said.

Copies of the major New York papers largely were sold out early in the morning rush. The Daily News responded by issuing a second run of the Nov. 5 edition.

“[Tuesday night’s] historic election results have led to a tremendous demand for the Daily News at newsstands in the metropolitan area,” Daily News spokeswoman Jennifer Mauer wrote in an email.

Online Gouging

The Times sent the bulk of it fresh papers to major transportation hubs in the city – limiting customers to one copy.

Some collectors, though, apparently bought a lot more than one edition in the morning – and took to the Internet to sell the papers. One seller on eBay was asking $199.99 for a copy of the Nov. 5 Times.

An ad on Craigslist touting a collection of The Times, Daily News and Post for a relative bargain $41, read, “It’s already a collectors item. Make me an offer and I’ll sell you one of my copies.”

America’s presidential election is getting unprecedented attention overseas, and reporters from around the globe have descended on New York City to cover it for their readers and listeners back home.

The streetlights were still illuminated as voters set up to begin their vigil outside Public School 34 in Queens Village early on Election Day morning. Some people like John Pruitt and his daughter Rhoda, a first time voter, had brought along folding chairs in anticipation of a long wait.

Shortly after 6 a.m., the line along the school’s concrete and cast iron fence had wrapped around the block and on to Hollis Avenue. A maroon Toyota Camry zoomed past on Springfield Boulevard and the driver yelled out,” Vote Obama,” prompting laughter from waiting crowd. But the Pruitts had already decided that Obama would get their vote.

‘Historic Moment’

“I never had anyone I was interested in before,” said Rhoda, shrugging.

“This is a historic moment,” said John, a one-time doo-wop record producer. “To see a black man reach such a high position is monumental beyond anything I have seen.”

According to the New York State Board of Elections, more than 4 million people in New York City are registered to vote, and approximately 1 million in Queens. Voters around the city endured long Election Day lines.

Gary Klint, a Queens Village resident, was accompanied to the polls by his 6-year-old son, Justin. “He wanted to know what it was like to vote after learning about it in school,” said Klint.

Calls For Faith

Dressed in gray and clutching a black rosary, Sister Marie Anne was one of six nuns from St. Ann’s Novitiate convent making their way to vote. “It’s going to be a challenge for whoever is in the White House,” she said.

Despite the challenges that face the new president, the Pruitt family placed their faith in Obama.

“I will be shocked,” said Rhoda of a possible McCain win. “I expect chaos in the streets; emotional outpour, humiliation and hopelessness for people of color.”

Her father disagreed: “Older blacks won’t feel that way, they seen the process,” he said. “They don’t have optimism in the system like younger people.”

Be it lack of faith in the political system, lack of proper documentation, or plain old procrastination some New Yorkers didn’t vote on Election Day.

Aida Bevans, 47, Bronx

“Jehova tells us he set up a kingdom.”

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John Manown, 46, Times Square

“I haven’t voted since I was eighteen years old.”

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Benjamin Vazquez, 36, Times Square

“Why even bother. Why even show up to the polls.”

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Denny Chang, 39, Brooklyn
“If you explain all the things clearly and link to their own interest, Chinese Americans are likely to join in and vote.”

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Audio Reporting by Maria Clark, Kate Zhao, Robert Voris, Sarah Trefethen