slavery
“I…KNOW A GOOD DEAL ABOUT THE NEGROES…AND MY OBSERVATION SATISFIES ME THAT, LIKE OTHER MEN, THE NEGROES ARE AS THEY ARE TREATED. … [SOUTHERN PLANTERS] ARE AMAZED AT THE POLITICAL CAPACITY AND THE MORAL GREATNESS EVINCED BY PEOPLE WHOM THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO CONSIDER LESS THAN HUMAN.”
MARTINEAU, HARRIET. (1802-1876). English essayist, novelist, journalist, and economic and historical writer who was prominent among English intellectuals of the 19th Century; one of the first female writers to support herself by her own talent; considered the first female sociologist; observed a link between slavery and the oppression of women’s rights; considered one of the first feminists. Remarkable Autograph Letter Signed, “H. Martineau”. Eight full pages, small octavo. Ambleside, January 5, 1866.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ~~ REGRETS HE CAN NOT HELP WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF THE US COUNSUL TO BORDEAUX
ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. (1767-1848). Sixth President of the United States(1825-9); Secretary of State; diplomat and lawyer. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “John Quincy Adams”, while serving as Minister to Prussia, in his father’s [John Adams’] administration. One fairly full page, quarto. Berlin, May 31, 1800.
A HIGHLY IMPORTANT HENRY MILLER LETTER ~~ STAGGERLINGLY FULL OF MAJOR BIBLIO AND BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS WITH BITING AND REVEALING COMMENTARY FROM HIS TRAVELS IN FRANCE IN 1928, WITH HIS WIFE, JUNE.
THIS PERIOD WAS THE BASIS FOR HIS NOVEL: TROPIC OF CANCER
MILLER, HENRY. (1891-1980). American novelist; author whose Bohemian lifestyle and autobiographical novels broke existing literary forms. Remarkable and highly important Autograph Letter Signed, “H.V.M.”, on imprinted Hotel-Restaurant de Grenoble et de Savoie stationery. Eight full pages, quarto. Aix-en-Provence, October 6, 192[8].
“I HAVE MADE MORE SPEECHES FOR OUR IDEAS OF EQUAL RIGHTS IN MORE STATES AND TO MORE PEOPLE THAN ANY MAN IN THIS COUNTRY” – HENRY WILSON
WILSON, HENRY (1812-1875). Vice President of the United States under U.S. Grant, and a Senator from Massachusetts known for his strong anti-slavery positions; devoted himself to the destruction of ‘Slave Power’ [the political power of the slave-owning class]; authored a bill that outlawed slavery in Washington, D.C. and was responsible for incorporating African Americans in the Union Civil War effort. Superb Autograph Letter Signed, “H. Wilson.” Four very full pages, quarto. Natick, [Massachusetts]. October 7, 1870.
ABOLITIONIST AUTHOR, HARRIET BEECHER STOWE, APOLOGISES SAYING: “I WAS AWAY DOWN IN FLORIDA”
STOWE, HARRIET BEECHER. (1811-1896) American author, abolitionist; best known for her anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Autograph Letter Signed “H.B. Stowe”, on her monogrammed blue “S” stationery. One page, octavo. Hartford, [Conneticut]. May 12, 1867.
DR. DAVID LIVINGSTONE BEFORE SETTING OUT TO AFRICA ~~ REMEMBERS FONDLY “A REVEREND DR. ROBERT FERGUSON WHOSE FATHER WAS VERY KIND TO ME WHEN I WAS A STUDENT” AND OFFERS: ‘A BLESSING BE ON’ THE RELATIVE OF THAT MAN
LIVINGSTONE, DAVID. (1813-73). Scottish missionary and physician, who spent half his life exploring southern and central Africa. Autograph Letter Signed, “David Livingstone”, 2 ½ pages, octavo. ‘Clifton, September 25, 1864.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT ON RACE RELATIONS: “I HAVE APPOINTED A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF COLORED MEN THAN ANY OTHER PRESIDENT.”
ROOSEVELT, THEODORE. (1858-1919). 26th President (1901-1909), and first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1906). Exceptional Typed Letter Signed “Theodore Roosevelt,” as President, on imprinted The White House /Washington stationary. One full page, quarto.