May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
258
Frederick Douglass' honest speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
DOUGLASS, FREDERICK.
Oration by Frederick Douglass Delivered on the Occasion of the Unveiling of the Freedmen’s Monument in memory of Abraham Lincoln, In Lincoln Park, Washington D.C., April 14th, 1876. Washington DC: Gibson Brothers, 1876. First edition. Sewn in original salmon-colored printed paper wrappers. 9 x 5 5/8 inches (22.75 x 14.5 cm); 21 pp. Wrappers with some soiling and wear, a vertical central crease, a few short tears and creases to edges, a split at the foot of the spine, and a loss to the lower corner of the rear wrapper, contents generally bright but with a few spots of soiling and creasing to lower corners, altogether a sound and presentable copy of a scarce, fragile pamphlet.
Frederick Douglass delivered the inauguration speech at the unveiling of the Freedmen's Monument, now known as the Emancipation Memorial, on April 14th, 1876, the eleventh anniversary of the assassination of President Lincoln. The sculpture, by Thomas Ball, shows Lincoln standing, holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and freeing an enslaved man. The Freedman is depicted on one knee, about to stand up, shirtless, with a clenched fist and broken shackles at his feet. It was paid for solely by donations from freed slaves. Douglass' speech, printed for the first time in this pamphlet, both praises Lincoln and honestly addresses the complexities of his legacy towards slavery - "truth compels me to admit... [that] Abraham Lincoln was not, in the fullest sense of the word, either our man or our model. In his interests, in his associations, in his habits of thought, and in his prejudices, he was a white man... The race to which we belong were not the special objects of his consideration. Knowing this, I concede to you, my white fellow-citizens, a pre-eminence in this worship at once full and supreme... For while Abraham Lincoln saved for you a country, he delivered us from a bondage" (pp.4-6). After giving his speech, Douglass wrote a letter to the National Republican newspaper criticizing the statue's design - "What I want to see before I die is a monument representing the negro, not couchant on his knees like a four-footed animal, but erect on his feet like a man." Douglas would not be the last to denounce the monument - in 2020, Elenor Holmes Norton, the U.S. Delegate for D.C., announced plans to introduce legislation to have the memorial removed.
Sold for $12,800
Estimated at $3,000 - $5,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
DOUGLASS, FREDERICK.
Oration by Frederick Douglass Delivered on the Occasion of the Unveiling of the Freedmen’s Monument in memory of Abraham Lincoln, In Lincoln Park, Washington D.C., April 14th, 1876. Washington DC: Gibson Brothers, 1876. First edition. Sewn in original salmon-colored printed paper wrappers. 9 x 5 5/8 inches (22.75 x 14.5 cm); 21 pp. Wrappers with some soiling and wear, a vertical central crease, a few short tears and creases to edges, a split at the foot of the spine, and a loss to the lower corner of the rear wrapper, contents generally bright but with a few spots of soiling and creasing to lower corners, altogether a sound and presentable copy of a scarce, fragile pamphlet.
Frederick Douglass delivered the inauguration speech at the unveiling of the Freedmen's Monument, now known as the Emancipation Memorial, on April 14th, 1876, the eleventh anniversary of the assassination of President Lincoln. The sculpture, by Thomas Ball, shows Lincoln standing, holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and freeing an enslaved man. The Freedman is depicted on one knee, about to stand up, shirtless, with a clenched fist and broken shackles at his feet. It was paid for solely by donations from freed slaves. Douglass' speech, printed for the first time in this pamphlet, both praises Lincoln and honestly addresses the complexities of his legacy towards slavery - "truth compels me to admit... [that] Abraham Lincoln was not, in the fullest sense of the word, either our man or our model. In his interests, in his associations, in his habits of thought, and in his prejudices, he was a white man... The race to which we belong were not the special objects of his consideration. Knowing this, I concede to you, my white fellow-citizens, a pre-eminence in this worship at once full and supreme... For while Abraham Lincoln saved for you a country, he delivered us from a bondage" (pp.4-6). After giving his speech, Douglass wrote a letter to the National Republican newspaper criticizing the statue's design - "What I want to see before I die is a monument representing the negro, not couchant on his knees like a four-footed animal, but erect on his feet like a man." Douglas would not be the last to denounce the monument - in 2020, Elenor Holmes Norton, the U.S. Delegate for D.C., announced plans to introduce legislation to have the memorial removed.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
