The Complete Poetical Works, by John Greenleaf Whittier, (Household Edition), 1876 🇺🇸📜✒️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a Household Edition of "The Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier", published in 1876. This volume is a collection of the American poet's work and features multiple handwritten inscriptions and a custom bookplate.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

This is a comprehensive collection of Whittier's poetry, encompassing his lyrical ballads, abolitionist verses, pastoral poems, and reflective religious pieces. The poetry explores themes of nature, social justice, and spiritual contemplation, reflecting his Quaker beliefs and his connection to the American landscape.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892) was a Quaker poet, abolitionist, and advocate for social reform. He was one of the "Fireside Poets," known for his accessible language and his ability to convey profound emotions and social messages through his poetry. Whittier's influential role in the abolitionist movement remains a testament to his commitment to social justice.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1876, in the post-Civil War era, this edition of Whittier's collected works places his legacy firmly within the context of a reunified nation. His work, which had long been a force for social change, now became a staple of American households.

The book includes a preface from an earlier 1857 edition, offering insight into the poet's own reflection on his body of work and his growth as an artist over time.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a unique collectible due to its significant and well-documented provenance. The inscriptions and bookplate provide a fascinating glimpse into its past. It is an acquisition for a collector of American poetry, a historian of 19th-century American culture.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This book is a truly unique collectible due to its significant and well-documented provenance. The volume contains a custom bookplate on the inside cover that reads, "PRIVATE LIBRARY OF MARK SHELDON," as well as his handwritten name and the year 1878. Another inscription on the endpaper from Sheldon notes, "Notice this book is 15 years old," providing a direct, personal link to the book's history. These specific details transform a standard antique book into a one-of-a-kind historical artifact.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

The book is in antique condition, with visible signs of age.

• There are several water stains on the front endpapers and title page.

• The cover shows rubbing and wear, particularly at the spine and corners.

• The binding remains solid despite its age.

• The text is clear.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• John Greenleaf Whittier was a prominent Quaker poet and a powerful voice in the abolitionist movement.

• He was one of the "Fireside Poets," known for his accessible language.

• The book has a custom bookplate for Mark Sheldon and multiple handwritten inscriptions.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

• Publication Date: 1876

• Edition: Household Edition

• Publisher: James R. Osgood and Company

• Place of Publication: Boston

• Origin: United States

• Book Cover Type: Hardcover

• Genre: Poetry, American Literature, 19th-Century History.

• Transcription: This book contains a bookplate that reads, "PRIVATE LIBRARY OF MARK SHELDON." There are also multiple handwritten inscriptions on the first and last pages, including one from Sheldon that reads, "Notice this book is 15 years old," and a handwritten name and the year 1878.