A group of five works from the personal library of Senator John Sherman (1823-1900), brother of General William Tecumseh Sherman, including:

1. Thomas Jones. Chronicles of England, France, Spain, and the Adjoining Countries. New York: J. Winchester, New World Press, [1843?]. 4to. Contemporary full calf, 2 gilt black morocco labels to spine. "J. Sherman" ownership signature to front free end paper.

2. C.D. Yonge, translator. The Deipnosophists or Banquet of the Learned of Athenaeus. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854. Vol. I and III only (of 3). "John Sherman" signed to half title (vol. I) and title page (vol. III).

3. Emmanuel, count De Las Cases. Memoirs of the Life, Exile, and Conversations of the Emperor Napoleon. New York: Redfield, 1855. 4 volumes. Original brown cloth. Vol. II with ownership signature "John Sherman". Most volumes with "W. T. Sherman" and "P. Tecumseh Sherman" bookplates.

4. Edwin Hall, compiler. The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn. Norwalk, Connecticut and New York: Andrew Selleck and Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., 1865. Contemporary one quarter black calf with marbled boards. Folding map. INSCRIBED "Hon. John Sherman with Compliments of Publisher A. Selleck" With "P. Tecumseh Sherman" bookplate.

5. William H. Prescott. History of the Conquest of Mexico, with a Preliminary View of the Ancient Mexican Civilization, and the Life of the Conqueror, Hernando Cortes. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1867. 3 volumes. Original brown cloth. Eighth edition. Vol. I: "J. Sherman" ownership inscription to front fly leaf. P. Tecumseh Sherman bookplate. Vol. II & III: "J. Sherman" with W. T. Sherman & P. Tecumseh Sherman bookplates.

John Sherman, William's younger brother, had a successful legal career in Cleveland but turned his attention to politics after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. A strident abolitionist, he decided to run for office and was elected to the United States House of Representatives the same year. In 1861, Sherman was elected by the Ohio Legislature to take the vacant Senate seat left by Salmon P. Chase, who had been appointed Secretary of the Treasury. During his tenure, Sherman served on the Senate Finance Committee and regularly participated in debate over the conduct of the war. John Sherman served in various roles of importance in government after the war and is perhaps best remembered for proposing the Sherman Antitrust Act, which bears his name. William and John maintained a close relationship throughout their lives, exchanging regular correspondence.

Condition: Prescott, spotting.

PROVENANCE:

The Sherman-Fitch Library

Primarily assembled by General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891), the collection of books was inherited and curated by his son, Philemon Tecumseh Sherman (1867-1941). Before his death, Philemon transferred the library to his niece, Eleanor Sherman Fitch (1876-1959). Eleanor was the granddaughter of General Sherman through his eldest daughter, Maria "Minnie" Ewing Sherman Fitch (1851-1913). Until now, the Sherman-Fitch library was held at the family estate in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

The library includes a range of diverse material owned by General Sherman that principally relates to the Civil War, American history, and the Sherman family. Many works in the Sherman-Fitch library are historically significant, including General Sherman's annotated copy of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs, the Sherman family bible, and Barnard's "Photographic Views of Sherman's Campaign."

Most examples in the collection are affixed with bookplates that bear both General Sherman's and Philemon's names. In some cases, where General Sherman's ownership was clear, his bookplate was not always affixed. However, books with just Philemon's bookplate were generally acquired after his father's death in 1891. General Sherman’s bookplates were likely added by Philemon after his father’s death. Philemon’s bookplates were placed by Tecumseh Sherman Fitch (1908-1969) after he inherited the library in 1942.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Politics, Abolition, Slavery, Enslavement, Emancipation, Books, Ephemera]