jim2, February, March, April 1878 had a huge warm spike.
https://sunshinehours.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/hadcrut3gl_feb.png
https://sunshinehours.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/hadcrut3gl_mar.png
https://sunshinehours.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/hadcrut3gl_apr.png
Feb/Mar 1878 ( and probably Apr) were warmer or as warm as Feb/Mar 2011 and 2012.
It appears in the top graph from tide gauges here:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/visual-depictions-of-sea-level-rise.html