"LIBERATION SHALL EXIST ONLY FOR MAN WHEN IT SHALL REIGN IN THE MIND": FIRST EDITION OF FANNY WRIGHT'S FOURTH OF JULY SPEECH, 1829, ON UNIVERSAL EDUCATION

WRIGHT, Frances. Address to the People of Philadelphia, Delivered in the Walnut Street Theatre, on the Morning of the Fourth of July, Common Era 1829, and the Fifty-Fourth Year of Independence. New York: George H. Evans, 1829. Octavo, stitched as issued, original beige paper wrappers; pp. 15. $1200.

First edition of abolitionist Fanny Wright's influential speech on universal education, in fragile original wrappers.

Fanny Wright, an immigrant to Scotland, is often regarded as the first women in America to publicly and actively opposed slavery. An unapologetic firebrand, Wright was highly controversial in her own time and attracted as much opposition as support. While best known for her abolition work, Wright was also an avid reformer in other areas. This speech—regarded as one of her tamest and most thoughtful—concerns the need for universal education. Wright calls for her listeners to give relief to widows and orphans in the broader sense, but argues that universal education—and thus equal opportunity—is a feasible first step on the journey toward full equality. Sabin 105584. Shoemaker 38333.

Dampstaining and foxing to interior, wear and minor chipping to edges, soiling to wrappers, stitching partially undone. A very good copy of a scarce and fragile work.