2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
A unique and important group of documents explaining that Confederate General Pike wrote what is now accepted as the third verse of Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home", including a framable copy of all four verses of the song neatly written in the hand of General Pike. Though a General, Pike was also a nationally recognized poet both before and after the Civil War. Among his books of collected verse are "Prose Sketches and Poems"( 1834), "Hymns to the Gods", (1839 ) and numerous other works. Recognized as one of the most influential Masons of all time, Pike also wrote the Masonic Manual "Morals and Dogma", making Pike one of the most read of all American authors. This group consists of four pieces, one being the entire song :"My Old Kentucky Home" in the hand of Pike, and Three more pieces which provide provenance and affirm that General Pike wrote the third verse. The first document is an oblong octavo Copy of an earlier letter written by Pike on March 21, 1855 and sent to John F. Coyle, Owner of the Washington National Intelligencer, in which Pike writes; "Dear Friend: I have put a verse to the "Kentucky Home" for you, and enclose the song with the addition. Ever Truly yours. Albert Pike. " A note at the bottom of the copy states that the original of this letter resides in the Library of Supreme Council ( almost certainly a Masonic Library) in Washington. The second piece is a 1p. 4to. T L.S. written in New York on March 15, 1933. In this letter author Susan B. Riley, who is apparently creating a history of the song, writes to a Mr. Lull, the owner of the manuscript offered here, informing him that:"…I am returning by express today the material which you so kindly gave me for examination. Much of it was new or supplemented in a valuable way material already on hand….May I have your permission , Mr. Lull, to quote from the manuscript material in the published work , proper acknowledgement being made, of course, to your ownership?..." Also, Politely but firmly, Ms. Riley tells Mr. Lull that a signature on a page from an old hotel ledger is not General Pike's as the handwriting is completely different. THIS PAGE FROM THE HOTEL LEDGER IS ALSO PRESENT IN THIS GROUP, further reinforcing the fact that the manuscript she is discussing is the one currently at auction. Ms. Riley also points out to Mr. Lull that: ....By the way, there is an error in the note on the outside of the paper, is there not ? It is the third stanza which is Pike's , the last being the last stanza of Foster's poem …". Sure enough, on the verso of the poem is a note in black ink reading:"…Last verse, Original by Pike…" Undoubtably in response to Ms. Riley's correction, The word "Last" has been scratched out and "3rd" added in a distinctive blue ink. The poem itself, is comprised of a 2pp. 4to. Manuscript copy of all four verses of :"My Old Kentucky Home". on blue paper, beautifully and carefully copied by Pike in its entirety . The third verse, which is the verse composed by Pike, reads in full: "The green-beech-trees cluster thick upon the hill/ That shelters the homely old place/ The vines shade the porch, and the roses blossom still, /And the house wears it's old familiar face The cool spring gleams like a diamond in the grass, / The clear branch flashes in the light,/ While its waters glide away as our happy visions pass/ So my old Kentucky Home, Good Night!" Also present is a typed transcription of the entire poem from the Lincoln Library of Shippensburg, Pa. A tiny light pencil note on the extreme left margin on the second page of the manuscript states that the document was purchased by its prior owner on September 18, 1950. In turn, the current consignor acquired the manuscript more than fifty years later when it was sold as part of the previous owner's estate. An extremely interesting piece, and a centerpiece of any serious Kentucky collection. Except for the mailing folds, the manuscript is in fine condition .
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