The Friendship's Tablet, No. 6, A Friendship Album Belonging to Hattie, circa 1853-1855
Philadelphia, PA: Moss & Brother, [1850]. A friendship album belonging to Hattie, whose entries date between 1853-1855. Unfortunately, little is known about the owner of the album beyond her first name, though it is probable she was from New York, as several of the authors of the entries are from towns in New York, mostly Syracuse, though other towns such as Salem, and Cambridge, NY, appear as well. (Note: States are rarely provided with the town names in the entries, so this is conjecture). Other entries are from Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, and even a few from Lexington, KY. The entries consists of either quotes or excerpts from poems, most of which appear to center on womanhood, mortality, and friendship. Several of the entries are in German. The album features seven (7) black and white plate engravings (including frontispiece and title page). With the exception of the title page, which depicts the German town of Oberwesel on the river Rhine, all of the images are portraits of women. Approximately one third filled. Red leather covers with gilt stamp decorative designs, along with the word 'Album'. Gilt edge, multicolored, interior pages. Measures 8" x 6 1/4".
Below are some entries from the album:
"Her mould of modest dignity,/ Was form'd the heart to win;/ The dew drop glistening in her eye/ Showed all was pure within."
- Entry by Horacio, originally an excerpt from a song "The Soldier's Widow"
"Look up! There is a small bright cloud alone amid the skies! / So high, so pure, and so apart, / a woman's honour lies."
- Entry by E. W. L. October 29, 1855, originally an excerpt from "The Romaunt of the Page" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
"I see thee in the silver stream, / the budding rose, and graceful willow; / I see thee in yon morning beam, / And beauty of the glowing billow; / I see thy innocence and glee / In every lamb that skims the lea."
- Entry of Forrester, originally an excerpt from the song/poem 'Marion Graham' by Ettrick Shepherd
To view the album, please click on the following link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f9kq9SrW43g92Awi7. General wear. Edge wear. Minor damage to spine on bottom edge. Minor damage to binding.
Price: $275.00
Item #20200105