Beschreibung:

Lincoln, Abraham, and Edward EverettAn Oration delivered on the Battlefield of Gettysburg, (November 19, 1863,) at the Consecration of the Cemetery … by Edward Everett To which is added Interesting Reports of the Dedicatory Ceremonies; s of the Battlefield; Incidents and Details of the Battles, &c. New York: Baker & Godwin, Printers and Publishers, 1863
8vo (229 x 143 mm). 48pp. Publisher's lettered wrappers, publisher's ad on rear wrapper; the wrappers beautifully preserved and unrestored, with only a minute (1 mm) spot of loss to fragile spine at tail; faintest, almost undetectable spotting to cover, spotting to title page and some scattered spotting in text. Old cloth folding case with a 1945 Swann Galleries catalog housed in as well.
"Four score and seven years ago..." — the earliest publication of the Gettysburg Address in book form, preceded only by the exceptionally rare pamphlet, The Gettysburg Solemnities, known in only three copies.
Lincoln made his speech at the dedication of a cemetery on the Gettysburg battlefield some four months after the bloody and pivotal battle that turned the tide of the Civil War in favor of the Union. Lincoln's speech was preceded by an address from Edward Everett the most famous orator of his day. Everett's speech took some ninety minutes to deliver, and is largely forgotten. Lincoln's speech, delivered in only a few minutes, is immortal. It is a supreme distillation of American values, and of the sacrifices necessary for the survival of liberty and freedom.
"The Washington Chronicle of 18-21 November reported extensively on this ceremony and included a verbatim text of 'Edward Everett's Great Oration.' On the fourth day it noted in passing that the President had also made a speech, but gave no details. When it came to the separate publication on 22 November, Everett's 'Oration' was reprinted from the standing type, but Lincoln's speech had to be set up. It was tucked away as a final paragraph on page 16 of the pamphlet [The Gettysburg Solemnities]. It was similarly treated when the meanly produced leaflet was replaced by a 48-page booklet published by Baker and Godwin of New York in the same year" (PMM).
Lincoln's address appears on page 40, and parenthetical notes are added indicating "applause" and "long-continued applause." A diagram on page 32 gives the details of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg.
REFERENCE:Grolier, American 100 72 (note); Howes E232, "b"; Monaghan 193; Sabin 23263; Streeter 1747; PMM 351; Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg 191-204
PROVENANCE:A Superb Library of Lincolniana, auction at Swann Galleries, 7 June 1945, lot 245, $180 ("No finer copy could be imagined")Condition reportCondition as described in catalogue entry.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.