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195

Frederick Douglass

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Frederick Douglass

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Auction Date:2012 Mar 14 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Former slave (1818–1895) who lent his eloquent, powerful voice to the abolitionist movement. ALS, one page, lightly-lined, 5.75 x 9.25, December 15, 1884. Letter to the Brooklyn Magazine. In full: “Candidly I do not see at this distance from the scene of his labors, why I am called upon to cooperate in the proposed testimonial to Doctor Talmadge [sic, Talmage] upon his 53d birthday. Though that excellent gentleman is not a young man, he certainly is not an old man. He is but midway the field and his hands are still upon the plow. Why not let him get a little nearer the turning point before we applaud the perfection of his work. There is much vitality about him, and I have little doubt that he will (as I certainly hope he will) reach his three score and ten. It will not hurt him to wait till then some such testimonial as you now propose to give him. I sincerely admire the zeal, courage and ability of Doctor Talmadge and thank him for the many good words he has been able to say in behalf of humanity but I do not accept his theology and do not wish that any word of mine shall be construed into such an acceptance.” A couple creases to lower right corner, lightly touching the end of the signature, and a trimmed right edge, otherwise fine condition.

Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832-1902) was a Presbyterian preacher, clergyman, and divine, and one of the most prominent religious figures in America in the late nineteenth century. While the tone of Douglass’ letter seems to hint of animosity toward Talmage, theological differences likely colored his response given Douglass was an ordained minister at the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Furthermore, his reluctance to congratulate the younger Talmage when “his hands are still upon the plow” may have had to do with the fact that Douglass himself was approaching “his three score and ten.” At 66, he may have been especially feeling his age, having just been remarried to Helen Pitts, a white feminist twenty years his junior. The Brooklyn Magazine did not take Douglass’ advice, and published letters of congratulations to Talmage in January 1885. As it happened, Talmage would “reach his three score and ten,” dying just three months after his 70th birthday.
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