The Courtship of Miles Standish by Henry W. Longfellow (RARE Decorative Binding), c. late 19th-century 📜✍️🇺🇸

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare edition of The Courtship of Miles Standish by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Published by Hurst & Company in the late 19th century, this book is a humorous and romantic narrative poem. Its value is not only in its status as a collectible but also in its striking decorative binding, which makes it a prime example of American bookmaking from the period. 

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Courtship of Miles Standish is a beloved and enduring work of American literature. The story follows a shy soldier, Miles Standish, who, unable to woo the maiden Priscilla Mullins, asks his friend John Alden to speak on his behalf.

The tale, with its memorable line, "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?," is a classic work that explores themes of love, friendship, and courage.

The book is a humorous and romantic narrative poem that captures a famous legend of the Plymouth Colony.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. He was a member of the Fireside Poets, a group of celebrated American writers. His work was celebrated for its narrative power and its ability to connect with the common person, making him a national icon.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This book is a tangible link to a pivotal era in American history: the late 19th century. At a time when poetry was a major form of public entertainment and moral instruction,

Longfellow's work catered to a sophisticated audience of literary enthusiasts and historians. This book is a unique window into the history of American publishing and the ways in which a new generation of writers and artists sought to document and preserve their legacy.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of American literary history, a scholar of 19th-century decorative bindings, or a private collector of fine

first editions. The book appeals to a collector who values the intersection of classic American literature, artistic book design, and history. 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a first edition of a foundational work of American literature, this book is exceptionally scarce. This is a premium asset for a discerning collector. The book’s aesthetic appeal as a well-bound and handsomely printed volume makes it a prime example of American bookmaking from the period, which further justifies its premium price. 

Its value is overwhelmingly driven by its market scarcity, its historical importance, and its striking decorative binding. 

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This copy is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with a cherished book from the late 19th century.

• Binding: The decorative green cloth binding with gilt stamping shows authentic wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and discoloration.

• Pages: The pages have some expected age toning, but the text remains clear and readable.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book's author, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was a member of the Fireside Poets, a group of celebrated American writers.

• Longfellow was the first American to translate Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy, and he became the first American poet to be honored with a bust in Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey.

• The handwritten inscription, "Merrie Christmas Wilma From Evalynn", transforms this volume into a singular historical artifact, documenting its personal journey.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Courtship of Miles Standish

• Author/Maker: Henry W. Longfellow

• Year: Undated, c. late 19th century

• Publisher/Foundry: Hurst & Company

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Decorative Cloth

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: The handwritten inscription reads: “Merrie Christmas Wilma From Evalynn”.