With Frederick Douglass's Only Work of Fiction

[Douglass, Frederick (c.1817-1895)]. Stowe, Harriet Beecher, et al.

Autographs for Freedom [The Heroic Slave]

London: Sampson Low, Son & Co.; and John Cassell, 1853. First British edition. Three quarter leather with marbled paper sides. Sixteenmo. [i]-viii, [9]-192 pages.

Important collection of anti-slavery testimonies by eminent authors. Includes facsimile signatures of most contributors, which include Horace Mann, William Seward, Charles Sumner, Annie Parker, Gerrit Smith, Miss C. E. Beecher, and many others.

This collection contains the only piece of fiction published by Frederick Douglass. This short story, titled "The Heroic Slave," is based on an actual slave insurrection led by Madison Washington in 1841 aboard the slave ship Creole, while en route to New Orleans from Virginia. This important Douglass item occupies pages 120-165.

Other important contributions by African American writers include the poem "How Long," by James Madison Whitfield and James McCune Smith's biographical sketch, "John Murray (of Glasgow)."

A handsome and quite sound copy of this elusive Frederick Douglass item.

Near fine. Rebound in later marbled paper over boards with leather spine and fore corners. Spine has 5 raised bands, gilt-stamped rules, and red title block with gilt-stamped title. Slight age-toning to interior and textblock edges. A lovely copy.

Item #1440

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