March 2021 Auction Ends Thursday, March 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/25/2021
Rare first edition, first printing of Harriet Beecher Stowe's ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'', in two volumes as issued. Boston: John P. Jewett, 1852. With all first printing points present, including three plates in each volume by Hammett Billings without attribution; ''spilt'' instead of ''spiled'' on page 42, line 1 of Vol. I; ''cathecism'' instead of ''catechism'' on page 74, line 5 of Vol. II; no other printings designated on the title page of either volume; with the following statements on the copyright page: ''Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by Harriet Beecher Stowe'' and ''Stereotyped by Hobart & Robbins''.
Published on 20 March 1852 after first appearing in serialized form, the first printing of 5,000 copies of ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' sold out within a few days, and the second printing by the end of March. Included in ''Books That Changed America'', the author Robert Downs stated of it, ''Within a decade after its publication Uncle Tom's Cabin had become the most popular novel ever written by an American...there is substantial evidence that the book precipitated the American Civil War.'' Volumes measure 5'' x 7.875'' bound in publisher's brown boards with gilt embellishments. Cocking to both volumes, more so to Vol. I. Vol. I has fading to gilt and separation starting at rear joint affecting backstrip. Foxing throughout, missing front free endpaper, and shelf wear, overall in fair condition. Vol. II has light shelf wear, and some foxing throughout, in very good condition.
First Edition, First Printing of ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' by Harriet Beecher Stowe From 1852
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