[Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, Julia Ward Howe, et al] | One of the rarest limited signed editions of nineteenth century American literature

[Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, Julia Ward Howe, et al]
Poems of the "Old South": Boston: Published by the Old South Fair Committee, 1879

Small 4to. Engraved frontispiece and vignettes, interleaves with each bearing the autograph of the corresponding contributor; some toning to text leaves. In original green cloth boards, upper board decoratively lettered and stamped in gilt and black, spine gilt-lettered, all edges gilt, brown coated endpapers; very minor rubbing to corners and spine ends, cracked hinge. Original gray dustjacket printed in black; jacket toned with losses to front, rear, and spine panels, owner's inscription in pencil on front flap.

First edition, the rare signed issue, with original jacket. The present edition was published two years after the trade edition. It has been reported that 100 copies were printed, but the actual number could have been fewer. Facing each entry is a leaf signed by the contributor, including: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Greenleaf Whittier, Julia Ward Howe, et al.

REFERENCE
BAL 9143

PROVENANCE
Charles W. Pilgrim (bookplate paste-down on front endpaper)

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.