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 plates 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, and missing pages 195-202 and 207-214 in Vol. II, including one of the plates. Binding starting to separate in Vol. I with a few signatures detached. Previous owner's bookplate and name to each volume. Foxing throughout, shelf wear and base of backstrip missing in Vol. II. Both volumes in fair to good condition.