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The Life of Abraham Lincoln by J.G. Holland (RARE, First Edition), 1866 🏛️📜🇺🇸

Name: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by J.G. Holland (RARE, First Edition), 1866 🏛️📜🇺🇸
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 1500.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$1,500.00

Sale Sold out

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare first edition of The Life of Abraham Lincoln, a monumental biography by the American writer and editor Josiah Gilbert Holland.

Published in 1866, just one year after Lincoln's assassination, this book is an investment-grade artifact and a cornerstone primary source on the life and legacy of the fallen president.

The book's status as the earliest full-scale biography of Lincoln makes it a premier acquisition for any serious collector of Civil War history or fine Americana. The book is far more than a simple narrative; it is a meticulously preserved document that helped shape the public image of Lincoln in the decades following his death.

This book is a highly desirable centerpiece for any serious collection focused on Abraham Lincoln.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Holland's biography of Lincoln was a literary phenomenon, becoming a bestseller and a primary source for much of the Lincoln lore that is still with us today. To write the book, Holland traveled to Illinois to interview those who knew Lincoln "back when," including friends, acquaintances, and family members. He was one of the earliest biographers to collect these firsthand accounts, which he then wove into a powerful and popular narrative.

The book's content traces Lincoln's life from his humble beginnings to his tragic death, and it is filled with poignant stories and vignettes that illustrate his honesty, integrity, and work ethic. The book is an important example of a work that documented and popularized a new, mythic image of Lincoln as a self-made man and a "Christian President."

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881) was an American novelist, poet, and essayist who was a major literary figure in his day. Born in Massachusetts, he began his career as a doctor, but soon switched to writing and editing.

He was on the editorial staff of the Springfield Republican until 1866, where he wrote the popular "Timothy Titcomb Letters" under a pseudonym. Holland was a co-founder and editor of Scribner's Monthly, which later became the prestigious Century Magazine.

Holland's works often blended moral and social commentary with fiction, and he was known for his ability to connect with a wide, middle-class audience. His writing was highly regarded for its clarity, its moral purpose, and its optimistic tone. He was a spiritual mentor to the nation in the years following the Civil War, and his biography of Lincoln was a powerful expression of his own values.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The book's publication in 1866 places it in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War and the assassination of President Lincoln. This was a period of national mourning and immense political and social turmoil.

Holland's biography was a direct response to this moment, providing a narrative that helped to heal the nation's wounds and to create a unified image of the martyred president. The book’s timing was crucial to its success, as Americans were hungry for information about the life of the fallen leader.

The book’s existence also speaks to the intellectual climate of the Reconstruction era, a time when Americans were grappling with the legacy of slavery and the meaning of freedom.

Holland's biography, by portraying Lincoln as a champion of emancipation and a man of deep faith, helped to shape the national memory of the war and its aftermath. This is an authentic artifact of a time when the ideals of a nation were being fiercely debated and fought for.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of Civil War history, a scholar of the Reconstruction era, or an expert private collector of primary sources on Abraham Lincoln.

This is an artifact for a collector who seeks items that are both intellectually significant and emotionally resonant.

Its presence on a shelf would signal a deep-seated interest in the true history of the American Civil War.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1866 first edition is a genuinely rare find due to its specific historical importance and its place as the earliest full-scale biography of Abraham Lincoln.

The book’s value is overwhelmingly driven by its historical context and its documented role in shaping Lincoln's public image. Finding a copy that is in good condition is a significant challenge, as many were heavily read and did not survive in a well-preserved state.

This book is a non-replicable asset, holding value that far exceeds a standard reprint.

It is a genuine historical artifact that connects the reader directly to the intellectual and moral struggles of the post-Civil War era. Its historical and artistic significance ensures its place as a cherished centerpiece in any collection.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with a book from the 19th century that has been well-used and cherished. The hardcover binding is in good condition, showing some rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the spine and edges. The spine is firm, and the book's text block is tight and sound.

The pages show some expected toning and scattered foxing, which is a natural process for paper from this period. This is an honest and transparent portrayal of a well-cared-for book that was a cherished part of a home library. The interior pages are clean and the text block is firm and sound. All pages are present, and there are no major tears.

The overall condition is truly remarkable for a volume that is over 150 years old.

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

This book contains a handwritten inscription on the inside of the front cover and a dedication page.

The inscription is in pencil and reads: "P. O. Richardson." This is a previous owner's name and adds to the history of the book.
The Dedication page reads:
- "TO ANDREW JOHNSON, TO WHOM PROVIDENCE HAS ASSIGNED THE COMPLETION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S LABORS, I DEDICATE THIS RECORD OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S LIFE."
The book is dedicated to President Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln after his assassination.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

Holland's biography was one of the first to portray Lincoln as a man of deep faith, a portrayal that helped to shape the national memory of the president in the decades following his death.
The book was a publishing sensation, selling over 100,000 copies in its first year, making it one of the best-selling books of the 19th century.
Holland's biography was the first to popularize many of the enduring Lincoln stories and myths, including the story of the railsplitter and the "Honest Abe" persona.
The book includes four steel-engraved plates, including a frontispiece portrait of Lincoln. These engravings were a mark of distinction for a book of this era.