2006-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006
HOWE, Julia Ward (1819-1910) author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," was famous in her lifetime as poet, essayist, lecturer, reformer and biographer. She worked to end slavery, helped to initiate the women's movement in many states, and organized for international peace-all at a time, she noted, "when to do so was a thankless office, involving public ridicule and private avoidance." Julia Ward Howe, writes two complete stanzas of ""Battle Hymn of the Republic," on the front free endpaper of her autobiographical book, "Reminiscences 1819-1899" (published by Houghton Mifflin Boston 1899). The stanzas she inscribes are the first one, the most famous one, which she wrote out in full: "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored: He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on." "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, Wit a glory in his bosom that transfigures your and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on." Then she fully signs, in pencil, "Julia Ward Howe, December 1906" Additionally, tipped to the reverse of this stanza page is a Julia Ward Howe ALS, Dec.7,1906 written to Mr. Field, Boston. Howe refers to the stanzas, in part, "I am afraid even to opine how long this copy of my Reminiscences has been waiting for the desired inscription, but on looking at it today, I decide that I ought to know something about the ladies who wish it in order not to fire wide of the mark in writing in their book." Howe continues, pencil, 2pp, signed, "Julia Ward Howe." Plus, ... tipped onto the front blank pages, is another Julia Ward Howe ALS, also addressed to Mr. Field, Boston, May 30,1902. Howe thanks Field for remembering her birthday and advises him of the festivities, 2pp, ink, signed, "Julia Ward Howe." The stanzas, letters are fine. The book is loose at the spine, bumped on front cover.
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