Featured Items
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Featured Items
Description:
This collection consists of first editions of Weeden's four published works and two handmade, hand-illuminated books. In the late 1800s, Weeden interviewed emancipated slaves and drew their portraits. Biographical vignettes of their stories in verse accompany her unique creations. Each portrait captures the character of her subjects. The exquisitely illuminated works are stunning in their detail and use of color. Most noteworthy in the published works is the copy of Bandanna Ballads, which identifies seven subjects with their full names. Weeden's ancestors were plantation owners. One of the subjects bears the surname Weeden.
1. Shadows on the Wall, NY: M. Stolz, 1898. 1st edition. Octavo. Gray cloth with gilt lettering. In fair condition with soiled covers, bumped edges, text block detached from binding, many loose pages, and small glue spots on copyright and dedication pages where missing items were once mounted. Clipped mounted autographs of Weeden on front pastedown and under her mounted photographic portrait on verso of dedication page. 2. Bandana Ballads, NY: Doubleday & McClure, 1901, 1st edition, Octavo. Gray cloth with gilt lettering and top edge, and portrait silhouette on cover embossed in black, white and gilt. In fair condition with light soiling, rubbed and bumped edges, broken front hinge and loose sewing. A piece of masking tape with "Mrs. Ben L. [Kate] Bibb written on it is attached to front pastedown. Front flyleaf is signed by Mary Weeden and Howard Weeden's signature appears on half-title. Seven of the 23 subjects are identified in Weeden's hand under their portraits. 3. Songs of the Old South, NY: Doubleday Page, 1901, 1st edition, Octavo. Gray cloth with gilt lettering and mounted color plate on cover. Good ex-library copy with small black numerals on spine, Huntsville Library stamp on front free endsheet, brief notes on title page, former owner's bookplate on front pastedown, and soft hinges with a few cello tape stains where someone attempted to strengthen them. 4. Old Voices, NY: Doubleday, Page, 1904, 1st edition, Quarto, Brown cloth with black and gilt embossing, and mounted portrait on cover. In good condition with bumped edges and weak hinges. Rear hinge is cracked but holding. "M. Weeden Bibb" is written on front free endsheet (probably Mary Weeden Bibb). 5. Nearer My God to Thee by [Sarah Flower] Adams, small quarto in 3/4 red leather binding over brown pebbled cloth covered boards with gilt stamped black leather label mounted on cover. A total of seven beautiful detailed illuminated and gilded images.
Genre: Poetry, Illuminated books
Price $17,500.00