[jbrkr]

This is based on an incorrect assumption: ... no one is storing their frontpage layout data.

The Newseum has this covered for over 800 newspapers. A recent front page of the New York Times, for example:

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/hr.asp?fpVname=NY_NY...

[donohoe]

The NYT also stores their data... see my reply further up: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2801652