Gems of Prose and Poetry by James R. Aiken (First Edition), 1876 📜✨💎

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a first edition of Gems of Prose and Poetry, an anthology compiled by James R. Aiken.

Published in 1876 by James Miller, this volume is an example of late 19th-century bookmaking.

The book is a collection of works that reflects the literary spirit of the era. The volume is a suitable item for a collection focused on post-Civil War Southern literary history and anthologies from this period. 

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Gems of Prose and Poetry is an anthology with a decorative hardcover and gold-gilt and embossed design. It is a collection of literary works compiled from the manuscripts of James R. Aiken of South Carolina.

The book's stated purpose is to "assist the memory, promote methodical habits, and accumulate knowledge." Its regional focus on post-Civil War Southern literature documents a specific aspect of American literary history.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

James R. Aiken was a compiler and editor of literary works in the 19th century. His work in gathering writings from a specific regional context makes this book a reference for American literary studies.

The book was published by James Miller, a publisher known for his work in the late 19th century. Miller published a variety of works, including classics and poetry.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1876, this book appeared at a key moment in American history, during the Reconstruction Era and the nation's centennial. The book's content, focusing on literary works, contrasts with the outward-looking and industrial themes of the post-Civil War period.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a collector of 19th-century American literature, a student of Southern literary history, or a bibliophile specializing in period anthologies. Its status as a first edition makes it a notable item for a collection focused on the evolution of American literature.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This is a first edition of a book that documents a specific aspect of American literary history. 

The price is a direct reflection of the book's condition for an item that is 149 years old. 

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in fair condition, showing wear consistent with its age.

• The interior text block is clean, and some pages are intact -- others are not. 

• The book has a green cloth binding with a gold-gilt and embossed design.

• The spine and corners show wear.

• The pages are heavily toned and show some foxing.

• There are no personal inscriptions.

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

This book does not contain any personal inscriptions or unique markings from a previous owner. The value of this volume is derived from its original state, as it was intended to be received by the reader.

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9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• James R. Aiken was a compiler and editor who focused on gathering literary works from a specific regional context.

• The book's publisher, James Miller, was a prominent figure in the New York publishing world in the late 19th century.

• The book’s gold-gilt and embossed decorative hardcover is a record of the bookbinding art of the era.

• The book's focus on Southern literature provides a look into the literary landscape of the post-Civil War period.