Autograph Letter Discussing "The Woman's Bible" Prior to Its Publication
New York: [1895]. Single sheet, 8" x 9 7/8", folded once. Very good. Letter has a few old folds, a slight separation along the bottom 3/4" of the central fold, and four spots of old adhesive residue on blank back side.
Suffragist pioneer Elizabeth Cady Stanton here writes to a Mrs. Thomas, one of the 26 women on the "Revising Committee" who, along with Stanton, wrote "The Woman's Bible." The letter is dated October 20, from Stanton's address at 26 West 61st Street in New York City. She advises Mrs. Thomas that she is asking the committee members each to order 20 copies of Part I, set to be published the following month.
"The Woman's Bible" was meant to be a new version of the Christian Bible, but with women treated and portrayed as equals with men rather than the subservient role found in religious orthodoxy. It was crafted in two parts, with Part I being published in November, 1895 and Part II, finally, in April, 1898. It was very controversial upon its publication, even causing a rift in the women's movement between Stanton and those who felt it was both a distraction from the suffrage fight and an overly aggressive attack on traditional religion. Publication of "The Woman's Bible" effectively ended Stanton's influence among suffragists.
But all that was still in the future when she wrote this letter to Mrs. Thomas. Here is the transcript:
"Dear Mrs. Thomas / I am asking all the members of the Revising Committee on The Woman's Bible to order twenty copies of Part I (price fifty cents) to sell or give away to impecunious friends and thus help the circulation and publication. Part I will appear early in November and Part II in February, and we hope to have the whole work done within the year 1896. / I hope you will be able to send some comments for Part II. / Sincerely yours / Elizabeth Cady Stanton."
Item #1243
Price: $3,000