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A Woman's Life-Work by Laura S. Haviland (RARE, First Edition), 1882 📜✍️🏛️

Name: A Woman's Life-Work by Laura S. Haviland (RARE, First Edition), 1882 📜✍️🏛️
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 2250.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$2,250.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is an exceedingly rare and a cornerstone work of American social history.

The book, A Woman's Life-Work: Labors and Experiences of Laura S. Haviland, is a powerful and personal autobiography from a prominent abolitionist, educator, and social reformer. As a rare first edition from 1882, this volume is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of American history and the women's rights movement. It offers a unique window into the personal courage and lived experience of a woman at the heart of America's great social struggles.

This edition is a tangible connection to the enduring legacy of the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom. Its documented rarity and exceptional content make this a premier acquisition for any serious library. The book is not merely a historical account; it is a monument to the resilience and moral conviction of those who fought for a more just society. This volume is an extraordinary find, representing a critical period in American history.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

A Woman's Life-Work is a firsthand autobiography that details the remarkable life of Laura S. Haviland. The narrative is a vivid account of her work on the Underground Railroad, where she helped hundreds of enslaved people escape to freedom.

The book also chronicles her tireless efforts to establish schools for freed slaves and her active involvement in the women's suffrage and temperance movements. The author's personal voice is clear and powerful, offering a detailed and moving account of her labors.

The book is an essential primary source for any scholar or dedicated reader of 19th-century American history. It is a work that captures the lived experience of a woman who was a central figure in some of the most important social movements of her time. This volume provides a fascinating look into the life of a true American heroine.

3. About the Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Laura S. Haviland (1808-1898) was an American abolitionist, suffragist, and social reformer. Born into a Quaker family in New York, she dedicated her life to fighting for human rights and social justice.

In the 1830s, she and her husband established the Raisin Institute, a manual labor school in Michigan that became the first in the state to admit students of all races. The school was a key station on the Underground Railroad, and Haviland's work there and on her subsequent missions to the South made her a legendary figure in the abolitionist movement.

Haviland was a courageous and tireless advocate, often putting her own life at risk to help others. She was a central figure in the Underground Railroad, earning the respect of figures like Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass. Her book showcases her dedication to her beliefs and her willingness to defy social conventions to fight for what was right. Her legacy as a reformer and humanitarian continues to inspire today.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1882, this book is an artifact of the post-Civil War Reconstruction era in the United States. It was a period of immense social change and political upheaval, as the nation grappled with the legacy of slavery and the new challenges of integrating millions of formerly enslaved people into society.

The book’s publication reflects a widespread desire for stories that celebrated the heroes of the abolitionist movement and documented their struggles and triumphs.

The book is a "time capsule" of late 19th-century American social and political thought. It captures the spirit of an era when local communities and individuals were at the forefront of the fight for social justice. The volume reflects the values of its time and provides an honest look at the lives of a community that was often overlooked by mainstream historians. It serves as an important record of the transitional period between a nation divided and one striving for unity and equality.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of American history, a scholar of the abolitionist movement, or a private collector of women's history. This is a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind a social movement. It appeals to a collector interested in the intersection of American history, social reform, and the Underground Railroad.

A true bibliophile would appreciate the high-quality binding and the rich intellectual history contained within its pages. The book is an essential piece for an individual building a library that tells the story of how American society was transformed. It is not just for display, but for a reader who is serious about understanding the lives and creative journeys of America's social reformers.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a rare first edition from 1882, this book represents a genuinely scarce, non-replicable asset class. First editions of personal narratives from the abolitionist and women's rights movements are highly sought after by collectors. The book was published for the author by a regional publisher and was not printed in large quantities. Its survival in a well-preserved state makes it a genuine rarity on the market.

The book is a unique window into the history of American social reform. The price is a direct reflection of the book's scarcity, its historical significance, and its condition for an item of its age.

The book's value as a scholarly document and a physical artifact makes it a strong acquisition. This is a unique and non-replicable asset class that is unlikely to reappear on the market for years to come.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a handsome survivor from the late 19th century, showing honest and authentic wear consistent with its age.

The original publisher's cloth cover shows some rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and on the spine.
The binding remains solid and tight, though it shows some signs of use and age.
The pages have some expected toning and light foxing throughout, a natural process for paper from this period, which gives it authenticity.
The pages are free from any major tears or stains, and the interior text block is clean.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a printed phrase inscription on the page facing the frontispiece. This inscription, a facsimile of the author's signature, provides a personal link to the book’s central themes. The inscription reads:

"Thine for the oppressed, Laura S. Haviland"

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

Laura S. Haviland's home in Adrian, Michigan, served as a key station on the Underground Railroad. It was known as the "Haviland Home" and was a safe haven for hundreds of people escaping slavery.
She was one of the few white women to venture into the South on rescue missions, often disguising herself to evade capture.
This book was originally published for the benefit of her humanitarian work, with the proceeds going to her various charities. This makes the book not just a historical document but also a piece of a living legacy.