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Varina Davis

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Varina Davis

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Auction Date:2018 Dec 05 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
ALS signed “V. Jefferson Davis,” three pages both sides, 5.25 x 7, July 1, 1905. Letter to Virginia Frazer Boyle, the 'Poet Laureate of the Confederacy,' written from the Hotel Girard. In part: "Thanks for your nice long letter and its enclosure. Those little tots, the descendants of my dear friends touched me greatly by taking 'This old worn out hulk which is threadbare today' and 'will become everlasting tomorrow' as one of their characters to personate. Like you I look upon this transition period in which our liberties are being wound about by delicate, restraining threads as the Lilliputians did Gulliver, while we are quiescent, and do not dread the restraint upon the innocent little creatures enslavement, as the critical period for the coming men and women of our country. The policy of laisser allez has worked a world of harm already. I remember a little child penitent and excusatory who sobbed out after a screaming fit 'I wouldn't a screamed if I had a knowed it was wrong.' These abstract principles of law and justice must be drilled into the minds of the young before they can understand the reasons or the effect of them. Hereafter the Yankees will force them to apply them, and also use them as an aegis to prevent further inroads upon the rights our fathers codified, and achieved.

Now as to Serena—I was very pleased with it. I could see how closely you had taken the form of mountain or of cape in your delicate portrayal of our people as they were, but alas are not now. I did not know that it was a true story, but remembered Mr. Davis telling me of seeing a young man paralyzed and grey with terror lying on his face in a gully at Malvern Hill. He recognized the boy of a friend and said 'remember the honor of your house, your gallant name—get up and die if need be.' 'Oh Mr. Presdt' said he, shivering with fear ague, 'you could not do it if you were as badly scared as I am.' So he laid himself down and grovelled again—Your poor boy tried but was unfortunately the victim of a prenatal swap with his sister which should have extended to the sex. At times the book is so simple and artless a tale that you seem to have been able to say 'all of which I saw, and part of which I was' and he believed for your word's sake. I like the style immensely—The document was original and astounding, since I find it was true I am not astonished, nothing is so strange as truth—The negroes are delightful, and the old maid lives again. I congratulate you and hope you have had a sale commensurate with its deserts. The delicate touches which achieved dear nervous conscientious 'Old Miss' are to one who knows the genus wonderful—thank you dear for the pleasure you have given and for the pretty book. Serena in the frontispiece is delightful." In fine condition. Accompanied by a handsome custom-made quarter leather presentation folder. Published in April 1905, Virginia Frazer Boyle's novel Serena is a romance of the Old South 'in which a charming woman takes a curious part in the war.'