Mid 19th Century Blue Leather Volume, James Grant Wilson's the Life and Letters of Fitz-Greene Halleck - 1 Book.

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Wilson, James Grant. The Life and Letters of Fitz-Greene Halleck.

New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1869. First Edition, trade … Read more Wilson, James Grant. The Life and Letters of Fitz-Greene Halleck.

New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1869. First Edition, trade issue. 8vo. 607 pp., plus ads. Port. Later blue half morocco, spine gilt stamped, blue cloth covered boards/endpapers, with a small ink autograph note mounted to a preliminary binder's blank, "Purchased at the sale of the Sedgwick Library, New York, March 27, 1877. Jas. Grant Wilson" (BAL7001). This copy is supplemented with six related supplementary autograph pieces tipped in, including a manuscript agreement. Whether any of the inserted autograph material was then present we do not know, but most is written to Wilson at a later date. Tipped in on the first binder's blank is a written proposal: "...to Stereotype, print and publish and endeavor to sell your Poems in one volume 12mo..." with a 50/50 split on profits after expenses, signed "J[ustus] S[tarr] Redfield," and dated April 12, 1852. Endorsed on the verso on the same date: "I agree to the terms herein mentioned, Fitz-Greene Halleck." BAL records three Redfield editions of Halleck's poems, published 1852-53-54. In 1869 Wilson also edited The Poetical Writings of Fitz-Greene Halleck, a work which included material "included in previous editions" (BAL 7000). Also inserted are letters to General Wilson from Horatio Gates Jones and a fine two page letter from the journalist W.L. Stone. Wear at extremities, slightly sunned spine, more faded rear cover leather. Provenance: M&S Rare Books, Inc. Catalogue 85. Early American. (RBH) Very good.

Fitz-Greene Halleck (1790-1867), though virtually unknown today, was considered one of the most important American poets of the mid-19th century, called the "American Byron"... Lately, he has been reassessed as a central figure in early New York gay literary circles. Biographer John W.M. Hallock has argued that Halleck was "a prophet of the poetic and sexual revolution of which Walt Whitman was the messiah" decades later. (Hallock)

References:
“Fitz Greene Halleck Monument,” New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
John W.M. Hallock, email to NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, May 1, 2024.
Rarebookhub, Source: MS Rare Books, Source Record Number 85-164. See less