Description:

Frederick Douglass Signs a Female Graduate's 1860 Autograph Album

A small leather-bound autograph book, measuring 5.5" x 8", New Hampton, New Hampshire, dated Ca. 1860-1865. The volume belonged to a graduate teacher, Miss Marilla M. Towle of Danville. Marilla Towle had just graduated from New Hampton Institute, Class of 1860. With a mixture of autographs and poems from fellow classmates, friends, and others, most notably containing the clipped signature of "Frederick Douglass."

Most autographs are signed on the album pages, but Douglass' signature has been pasted in, along with one other signed card. Bound in brown blind-stamped cloth-covered boards, with gilt lettering and decoration on the front. At the back of the book is a handwritten poem, dated June 12, 1865, entitled "Trust in God", along with a printed outline of tuition for Miss Towle to attend Waukegan Academy in 1861. There is also a loose sheet containing the names and locations of women, likely classmates, and friends. Most of the material at the spine has been lost, and the binding has become loose. Bumped and worn corners and edges, with further wear to the covers. Light toning and soiling to the internal pages. Minor chipping in places. Douglass' signature has some adhesive staining around the clipped sheet but is boldly signed. Overall, good.

Frederick Douglass was a frequent visitor to New Hampshire, first visiting in 1841 to deliver a speech in Dover. It is believed he made at least seventeen trips to New Hampshire, sometimes traveling from town to town to give anti-slavery lectures. His last visit to the state appears to have been approximately fifty years after his first to attend the unveiling of a statue of Senator John P. Hale in Concord in 1892.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 4, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
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