This is a rare and historically significant First Edition of A Woman's Life-Work, the remarkable autobiography of the abolitionist and suffragist Laura S. Haviland. Published in 1882, this volume is a primary source document of a pivotal era in American history. It is a powerful and personal account of a life dedicated to social reform, offering a unique glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of the abolitionist movement, the Underground Railroad, and the fight for women's rights. The book's provenance is further enhanced by a unique handwritten inscription from Haviland herself, turning this volume into a personal artifact of a life dedicated to fighting for the oppressed.
2. About the Book 📖✍️✨
A Woman's Life-Work is a candid and inspiring autobiography that chronicles Haviland's journey from a humble childhood to a prominent figure in the fight for social justice. The book details her work in founding schools for freedmen, her efforts as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and her tireless advocacy for the rights of women. It is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of one woman in the face of immense adversity. The book's content provides a key insight into the cultural and political landscape of the 19th century.
3. About the Author 🇺🇸🖋️🏛️
Laura S. Haviland (1808-1898) was an American abolitionist, suffragist, and social reformer. Born in New York, she and her husband established the Raisin Institute in Michigan, which was a coeducational school for both white and Black children. She was a tireless advocate for the abolition of slavery and worked with the Underground Railroad to help formerly enslaved people escape to freedom. Her work as a social reformer extended to women's rights and temperance. Her autobiography is a powerful testament to her life's work and a valuable resource for historians.
4. Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
Published in 1882, this book emerged in the aftermath of the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era. The book's publication at this time reflects the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States. It is a powerful counter-narrative to the racist caricatures of the dominant culture and a testament to the perseverance of abolitionists and reformers in the face of a new wave of racism and violence.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This volume is a curated acquisition for a collector who values a literary phenomenon and its cultural impact. The ideal purchaser is a curator of American history, a social historian, or a bibliophile who appreciates a book with a significant cultural legacy. This is an acquisition for a collector who seeks a primary source document of a voice that helped define the American experience in the 19th century.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
This book represents a unique and non-replicable asset class. From a curatorial and financial perspective, its value is derived from its extraordinary scarcity as a First Edition. As an autobiography of a prominent social reformer, this book is highly sought after by collectors of Americana and African American history. This acquisition would be considered a strategic investment in a historically significant, non-correlated asset.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
A detailed condition report is not possible without an in-hand examination. However, based on the provided photos, the book is in good condition for its age. The original publisher's cloth binding is a deep brown with wear consistent with a book that is over 140 years old. The pages show expected toning and some foxing, which is a natural process for paper of this period. The most important aspect of its condition is the handwritten inscription and the original engraving of the author, which are an integral part of its identity and value.
8. Translation of Inscriptions ✍️📜🔤
This is a complete transcription of the handwritten notes found on the front endpapers.
Frontispiece Inscription: "Thine for the oppressed, Laura S. Haviland"
Publisher: "CINCINNATI: PRINTED BY WALDEN & STOWE, FOR THE AUTHOR. 1882."
9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
A Primary Source: This book is a primary source for the history of the abolitionist movement, the Underground Railroad, and the fight for women's rights.
A Beacon of Reform: Laura S. Haviland's life's work as an abolitionist and suffragist is a testament to the power of one person to change the world.
The Raisin Institute: Haviland co-founded the Raisin Institute in Michigan, one of the first schools in the country to be open to students of all races.
A Personal Inscription: The unique inscription by Haviland herself makes this copy a singular feature that adds significant value.
