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Samuel Francis Smith, Author of "America" Autogra

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Samuel Francis Smith, Author of  America  Autogra
<B>Samuel Francis Smith, Author of "America"</B></I> Autograph manuscript signed, " F. Smith", 10" x 7.75", April 25, 1894, a fair copy of his most famous work "America" (more popularly known by it's opening line "My Country Tis of Thee") consisting of the first four stanzas which reads in full, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing: / Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, / From ev'ry mountain side let freedom ring! / My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love: / I love thy rocks and hills, thy woods and templed hills; / My heart with rapture thrills like that above. / Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song: / Let mortal tongues awake, let all that breathe partake; / Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong. / Our fathers' God, to Thee, author of liberty, to Thee we sing: / Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light; / Protect us by Thy might, great God, our King!" Smith adds beneath the last stanza, "Written in Feb, 1832." Smith composed these lines when he was a twenty-four year old theology student. Sung to the tune of "God Save the King," this poem is considered our unofficial national anthem. Light vertical crease bears a hint of glue remnants but has been expertly cleaned, otherwise extremely bright and clean. A great, touching keepsake. <I>From the collection of Bradley O'Leary.</B></I> <I>Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA.</B></I>