45 “One Of The Supreme Utterances Of The Principles Of Democratic Freedom” (PMM) Rare first book-form appearance of Lincoln’s magnificent Gettysburg Address, scrawled, according to legend, on scratch-paper and envelopes, corresponding almost exactly to the spoken version transcribed by Associated Press reporter Joseph L. Gilbert, a lovely copy in original wrappers, very rare in any condition. Before a crowd of over 9,000 assembled at Gettysburg, noted orator Edward Everett delivered his memorized twohour address as President Lincoln waited on the platform, occasionally “removing his speech and glancing over it before returning it to his pocket… As Everett started back to his seat, Lincoln stood to clasp his hand and warmly congratulate him… the ‘flutter and motion of the crowd ceased the moment the President was on his feet... Though he had had but a brief time to prepare the address, he had devoted intense thought to his chosen theme for nearly a decade” (Goodwin, Team of Rivals, 585-6). “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. 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 351). This first edition is preceded only by the exceptionally rare 16-page pamphlet, The Gettysburg Solemnities, known in only a handful of copies. Bookplate. Faint small dampstain to upper edge of title page and a few following leaves, three tiny stains to fore-edge of text block, one ink mark to title page and first leaf; original paper wrappers with small tape repair to inner wrapper at head of spine. Slight wear and glue stain visible to spine. An exceptional copy. 69LINCOLN, Abraham. An Oration Delivered on the Battlefield of Gettysburg. New York, 1863. Octavo, original publisher’s printed wrappers, custom chemise. $65,000
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