LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30315

Sara Josepha Hale Archive ALsS & Correspondence

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
Sara Josepha Hale Archive ALsS & Correspondence
<B>Sara Josepha Hale Archive of Autograph Letters Signed and Personal Correspondence.</B></I> The lifework of Hale, an important American female author and magazine editor, would fill dozens of thick volumes but yet she is best known for authoring a simple nursery rhyme, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (which, by the way, was inspired by an actual incident). We can also thank Ms. Hale for our annual Thanksgiving holiday. She conducted a letter writing and editorial page campaign for many years to have the last Thursday in November declared a "Day of National Thanksgiving" for the American people; the campaign culminated with a personal letter she wrote to President Lincoln in September 1863 that began "Permit me, as Editress of the "Lady's Book", to request a few minutes of your precious time, while laying before you a subject of deep interest to myself and - as I trust - even to the President of our Republic, of some importance. This subject is to have the day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." Lincoln decided to take her good advice and, just days later, issued a proclamation that made the fourth Thursday of November Thanksgiving Day. <BR><BR>This lot consists of three ALsS by Hale as follows: <B>1).</B></I> "<I>Sarah Josepha Hale</B></I>", nine pages, 5.5" x 8.5", Philadelphia , January 9, 1865, to Dr. Mason, about fine condition. <B>2).</B></I> "<I>Sarah J. Hale</B></I>", three pages, 8.25" x 11", Philadelphia , January 9, 1865, to Mrs. Mason, about very good condition with some tattering and fold weaknesses. <B>3).</B></I> "<I>Sarah J. Hale</B></I>", eleven pages, 5" x 8", Philadelphia, October 23, 1865, to Dr. James Rush, fine condition.<BR><BR>Also included are approximately 16 letters written to Ms. Hale from various family members, politicians, and literary figures including: Samuel Austin Allibone (author and bibliographer); Charles John Biddle (U.S. congressman and newspaper publisher); John L. Blake (congressman); Maria Mitchell (astronomer); Lydia Sigourney (poet); Emma Willard (women's rights advocate); and Louis A. Godey (editor and publisher). Also included are various newspaper clippings about Ms. Hale. A wonderful group of material from this important 19th century writer and activist.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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