Extra, extra ...*

Dozens of e-mails like this started coming in to the readers' representative office early this morning, and are still coming in: "HELP!!!  We have looked everywhere for a copy of today's paper.  Will you be printing a second edition?" And, "I desperately need four copies of today’s paper, please tell me there is a way for me to get a copy of today’s 11/05/2008 L.A. Times it would mean a great deal to me."

Newspapers across the country are finding their Nov. 5 editions in high demand for their coverage of the historic election of the United States' first African American president. The Times is among many newspapers selling far more papers than normal today as readers in L.A. and around the U.S. seek multiple copies for themselves, for friends around the country and for their grandchildren. (Editor & Publisher reports that the Washington Post and New York Times are printing more, as is the Chicago Tribune.)

Jack D. Klunder, president of the Los Angeles Times Newspaper, says The Times is printing an additional 82,000 newspapers. (*Update: Klunder now says that The Times will print more -- an additional 25,000 copies -- and plans to produce today's edition as long as demand continues.) They are being sold in stores around L.A., and from The Times' two lobbies in downtown Los Angeles, where people started lining up at 11 a.m. (Vendors in the lobby on Spring Street said they'd sold about 1,500 as of early afternoon).

Here's how it stacks up with other big-news-day sales: After the first day of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, The Times sold an additional 216,000 papers.  The Space Shuttle Challenger explosion led to sales of an additional 118,000. Says Klunder, "We expect to sell about 100,000 additional papers today. Normal big-headline stories (fires, earthquakes, etc.) sell from 20,000 to 40,000" additional copies.

For back issues, customers should call Customer Service at (800) 252-9141. The call center will take both local and national calls. Readers also can come in to The Times' lobby at 145 S. Spring Street to buy copies. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Comments

[M* of SunriseSundown.Blogspot.com]

Freakin Amazing!

Economy is moving already haha

CHa Ching for LA TIMES!

thankz Folkz, workin hard.

[warren roberts]

thank you!

[InTheMix]

I drove all over Santa Monica this afternoon looking for a copy.............there were none to be found until I was fortunate enough to find a Unocal employee at the gas station on 26th / San Vicente in Brentwood who gave give me his personal copy! He wouldn't take any money from me and when I saw some yahoos selling these papers on Craigslist and Ebay for up to $500 I just about lost it!!!!!
I Posted this blog information to Craigslist along with a link. Thank You LA Times!

[Heather]

Will you still be selling the metal lithographs for $10?

[alain.villa]

"En France, le site de Liberation.fr a lui aussi connu une fréquentation historique avec plus de 3,5 millions de pages vues pour environ 600.000 visites. Quant au supplément de seize pages titré «We have a dream» diffusé mercredi, il a été rapidement épuisé."
In France also a lot of views for this historic event : more than 600 000 visitors on web, for Liberation and its special edition "We have a dream", there where none to be found on 11/5 evening.

[Jamie Gold]

In response to Heather - yes, The Times is selling lithographs, for $5 each. They're for sale in the Times' lobby at 2nd and Spring streets in downtown L.A. (These are glossy reproductions of the front page, 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches.) Also for sale are plates of the front page, for $10.