Autographs
Daniel Webster's Personal Copy of the Analectic Magazine Containing The First "The Star Spangled Banner" Printing
(DANIEL WEBSTER) (1782-1852). Leading American Statesman during the nation's Antebellum Period, famous Orator and Whig Party Leader, Secretary of State, Campaigned Three Times to achieve the Presidency of the United States.


This historic and important book is Daniel Webster's own copy, having his personal “Daniel Webster” Engraved Bookplate (with facsimile signature below) on the pastedown, blank inside front page of the Analectic Magazine, for November 1814, Choice Very Fine.

Included in this Volume is the First Magazine Printing of the "The Star Spangled Banner," published as the poem titled "The Defence of Fort M'Henry" on pages 433 to 434. Vol. 4, No. 23, November 1814, measuring 9.5” x 6.25”. It has beautiful, full contemporary fine-grained calf, gilt borders and is very neatly rebacked. This original magazine is in excellent condition with a small marginal repair to portrait of Pike, some normal expected foxing, and a few scattered trivial stains. Contains the first printing in a magazine or book of “The Star Spangled Banner” under its original title “Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

All four stanzas are printed on pages 433-34. The editor prefixes the poem with a note: “These lines have been already published in several of our newspapers... we think that their merit entitles them to preservation in some more permanent form than the columns of a daily paper...” He then tells the story of how the poem came to be written. There follows the text as printed in the early newspapers and broadsides. The song differs slightly from the manuscript reading, and was apparently copied from the first broadside, “The Baltimore American,” or “The Baltimore Patriot.” A note at the beginning of the poem says, “Tune--Anacreon In Heaven.” Also included, “History of the Design of the Present Flag of the United States.”

Overall, this is an excellent quality copy. It is housed in a custom-made, reddish-brown cloth case box with marbled edges and black label with decorative gilt lettering. We previously sold a similar copy (which was not attributed to Webster) in our EAHA Auction of August 26, 2000, Lot 290, which sold for $3,450. This is a truly historic magazine and with a unique and remarkable pedigree directly to the famous American Statesman, Daniel Webster.


This is the First Appearance of "The Star Spangled Banner," in a magazine, preceding any appearances in book form, and itself preceded only by six newspaper printings, and a speculated printing, perhaps as a handbill. The poem appears anonymously here, with the note that it is to be sung to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven." B.A.L 11081. Streeter Sale 1070. Hill, p.26. Sabin 1358. Sonneck, page 83.