[Rarebooks] FS - William Ross Wallace. The Battle of Tippecanoe, Triumphs of Science and Other Poems

[Michael Watson]

Offered today. Terms below.

FS -
William Ross Wallace
The Battle of Tippecanoe, Triumphs of Science and Other Poems
Cincinnati, OH, P. McFarlin

Scarce compilation from this popular poet of the early 19th c. Born 
1819 in Kentucky, then educated in Indiana, this contemporary and 
friend of Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his line "The hand that 
rocks the cradle / Is the hand that rules the world." First a poet, 
then a lawyer: at least he made something of himself. His work 
appeared in Harper's Magazine, Harper's Weekly, New York Ledger, 
Godey's Lady's Book, Celtic Monthly, and others. The poems were 
generally of a patriotic nature, and he was especially reverent 
toward the American Revolution and the Northern sentiments during the 
War Between the States.

Contains the two major poems, and other minor ones including 
Jerusalem, Dirge of Napoleon, On the Re-Launching of the 
Constitution, Ode (To the memory of James Rodman Drake), Villani, 
Childe Harold, The Possessions of God, Italy, The Goblet, and Dash 
Down the Harp. Explanatory Notes at the end. Publisher's blurb on the 
last page quotes literary periodical editors regarding Wallace's works.

The author dedicated the title poem to General William Henry Harrison 
and delivered the poem at a celebration on the Tippecanoe battlefield 
in 1835 at the age of 16. By 17 Wallace's poetry appeared in East 
coast literary journals and this book, published when he was 18, is a 
compilation of those works. In later years Wallace would not 
acknowledge the poems in this book with the exception of The Battle 
of Tippecanoe. The latter is preceded in this book by brief 
correspondence with a Legislator: Wallace agrees to the publication 
of the poem. Triumphs of Science is preceded by brief correspondence 
with  the Whig Society after his delivery of the poem at their 
meeting. In this correspondence he laments the quality of the poem, 
but in the end agrees to its publication.

This copy contains a mystery. It's copyright is 1837, but the owner's 
signature "H.S. Hamilton" on the front endpaper states 1836. Possibly 
a pre-publication copy, but equally possible that it's no more than 
an error. Sometimes I don't know the what the current year is, either.

Bold offsetting from owner's equally bold ink signature and date on 
the front endpaper. Front hinge just starting, but sound. Spine ends 
worn, corners bumped and rubbed, pastedowns heavily foxed with 
possible bookplate removal from front pastedown. Spine sunned. Light 
wear to cover surfaces. Tiny, pinpoint foxing to all pages.

Hardcover with "vine and berry" embossed brown cloth on boards. 12mo. 
105pp. 1st thus. Internally clean. Quite scarce. VG-. $100 USD.

http://www.20ants.com/images/auc/wm_wallace1.jpg

   Prices are net USD, payment by PayPal to archetype at 20ants.com,
   or international money order/check with order. Indiana pays 6% tax.
   Institutions invoiced. Books returnable in 10 days: contact us first.
   Domestic S&H: $3.50 1st book, $1.00 per additional book by USPS
   at Media rate. International, Priority Mail, or other carrier by quotation.



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  Michael Watson, bookman                           Indianapolis IN USA
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