Autographs
“John G. Whittier” Poet and Abolitionist Archive
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (1807-1892). American Abolitionist of Slavery in the United States, Quaker Poet.
Two Autograph Letters Signed “John G Whittier,” one Book of Poems Signed, a Rare CDV Signed, two Cabinet Card Photos and one Engraving, Choice Very Fine. A fabulous historical lot from this famous 19th century American abolitionist and poet. Whittier (1807-1892) writes and signs in ink two letters from 1886 and 1887, approximately 6.5” x 4.5” each; inscribes in pencil an original book of poems:

“Saint Gregory’s Guest and Recent Poems,” 3rd ed., 1887, Boston, MA: Houghton, Mifflin and Co., The Riverside Press (Cambridge), which was dedicated in print to “Gen. S.C. Armstrong of Hampton, VA, Whose generous and self-denying labors for the elevation of two races have enlisted my sympathies and commanded my admiration...”

The CDV and two cabinet cards are all printed from shops in Boston, and the steel engraving, by P.T. Stuart of Boston, has a facsimile inscription beneath the vignette portrait. A very rare assortment of images and signatures by this noted abolitionist and poet, who originally worked as an editor for William Lloyd Garrison, was a lifelong anti-slavery proponent, helped found the “Atlantic Monthly,” suggested the formation of the Republican Party, and was greatly admired as a poet during his lifetime, ranked with Longfellow and Bryant. Documents with typical minor wear, and the signatures are very nice. (7 items)