The Rose of Sharon by Miss S.C. Edgarton (Antique Edition), 1845 🌹📜✝️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This listing presents an antique edition of The Rose of Sharon: A Religious Souvenir, edited by Miss S.C. Edgarton. This volume from 1845 is a classic example of the popular American gift book tradition of the 19th century. The book is a tangible connection to the spiritual and social landscape of the 1840s and a unique artifact for collectors of American publishing history.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The Rose of Sharon was a literary annual, a type of publication that was popular in the 19th century. This volume contains stories, poems, and essays that were intended to be morally uplifting and religiously inspiring. It was given as a gift, often at Christmas, and was a common feature of a middle-class parlor. The book is more than a simple collection of writings; it is a cultural time capsule, reflecting the tastes and sentiments of the era. The book's content is a direct reflection of the period's cultural values, which saw gift books as a major form of home entertainment. This edition features illustrations by various artists.

3. About the Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

This book was edited by Miss S.C. Edgarton, a figure in 19th-century American literature. It was published by Abel Tompkins, a Boston-based publisher known for his work in the Universalist religious movement. The book's publishing history is an objective record of a collaborative effort between the editor and publisher. The book is an example of the high-quality publishing of the era, with its handsome, embossed leather binding.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This book was published in 1845, a period in the United States known for its rapid expansion and industrialization. The 1840s were also a time of significant religious revival and reform movements, which gave rise to the popularity of publications like The Rose of Sharon. The gift book was a product of a culture that placed a high value on sentimentalism, morality, and domestic piety.

The book's publication in Boston by A. Tompkins reflects the city's status as a major publishing center in the 19th century. The book is a tangible connection to the early career of a celebrated author and a window into the intellectual and cultural life of the time. The book is a direct artifact of its time, reflecting the values of a society that was rapidly changing.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book will appeal to a collector with a deep appreciation for American history and publishing. The ideal buyer is likely:

• A Collector of Americana: This book is a primary artifact that documents a popular social trend of the mid-19th century.

• An Admirer of Antique Gift Books: This is a classic, well-documented example of the gift book genre.

• A Bibliophile of 19th-Century Publishing: The book's publisher, Abel Tompkins, is a significant figure in the history of American religious publishing.

• A Lover of Antique Bindings: The book's decorative embossed leather binding makes it a visually striking piece of craftsmanship.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This book is a rare, antique edition of a foundational work of American gift book literature. Finding a well-preserved copy of this text is a rare opportunity for collectors of religious and Scandinavian works. The book is approximately 180 years old and has survived its journey to the present day in good condition. Its value is anchored in its status as a tangible historical artifact. The prior owner inscription adds a personal and historical dimension to its history, which adds to its value.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

• This book is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing authentic wear of a cherished book from the mid-19th century.

• The binding is decorative embossed, and it shows authentic wear consistent with its age, including rubbing and scuffing, which authenticates its long life.

• The pages show some age toning and discoloration, but the text remains clear and readable.

• There is a handwritten inscription on a blank endpaper at the front of the volume.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book is a crossover collectible that appeals to collectors of rare books, literary history, and social history.

• The handwritten inscription on the endpaper provides a personal touch and authenticates its long life as a treasured possession.

• The book is an exhaustive compendium of card games, a testament to the popularity of the pastime in the 1940s.

• The author, Albert A. Ostrow, was known for his clear and accessible writing style.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Rose of Sharon, 1845

• Author: Edited by Miss S.C. Edgarton

• Publisher: A. Tompkins

• Place: Boston

• Year: 1845

• Format: Hardcover, Embossed Leather

• Edition: First Edition

• Transcription: The copyright page reads: "Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1844, BY ABEL TOMPKINS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts."

• Transcription of Inscription: The handwritten inscription on the endpaper reads: "Sharon Sue Fagen"