Item #22533 Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book. Maggie Harris.
Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book
Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book
Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book
Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book
Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book
Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book

Maggie Harris, Her Autograph Book

No publication data, dark blue beveled boards with white, gilt, silver, and black stamped decorations of an elaborate fan and flowers and butterflies, silver all around, border decorations; a fine vase with flowers on spine, blindstamped fan on bottom board; silk free endpaper, elaborate title page in gilt stating "Autographs"; gatherings appear to have been in different pastels, now very faded to cream; inscriptions on every recto and then many filled in on the verso, so about 50 signatures with verses, 7 x 4.25", about 36 pages. Small hardback.

A very pretty little book given to Maggie Harris (Margaret Brisbane Harris 1869 to 1962) for Christmas in 1880 by her brother Enon Major Harris Jr (1866 - 1928) and faithfully filled up by her many friends. Most entries are from 1880 to 1885, with the sentimental friendship verses of the time, which seem to have been infinite! When noted, the signatures are from Collingdale or West Philadelphia and from Brigantine Beach, New Jersey where her family must have vacationed. Maggie Harris became the town's first teacher and then a principal, from 1891 until she retired in 1938. According to a family memoir, she kept an orderly but welcoming school, no wonder she preserved this book so carefully.Maggie and Enon's father Enon M. Harris was one of the officers who stood guard over Lincoln's coffin for two days while his body lay in state in Independence Hall.

CONDITION: Very Good Plus; well used, opens freely, but well cared for, spine ends rubbed, pages darkening a bit, signatures generally bright, most in ink with italic or plain nibs. Item #22533

Price: $125.00

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