Narrative of Sojourner Truth, a Bondswoan of Olden Time, Emancipated by the New York Legislature in the Early Part of the Present Century; With a History of Her Labors and Correspondence Drawn from "Her Book of Life" [LEATHER BINDING, with SLIPCASE]

Norwalk, CT: Easton Press. Near Fine. 2015. Hardcover. Sojourner Truth (1797 - 1893) was an African American woman who was an evangelist and an early and tireless advocate for abolition, temperance, civil rights and women's rights. Born as a slave, she escaped in 1827 with her infant daughter to a neighbor's farm and was the first black woman to successfully sue for the return of her son. She gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in response to a religious calling to "testify the hope that was within her." She died in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her "Narrative" was dictated by her over period of about two years to Olive Gilbert, a friend she met at a Utopian Comunity in Massachusetts. Gilbert had the "Narrative" published in 1850. This is a finely bound facsimilie reprint of the 1875 edition which contains more information than the original 1850 edition and also eliminates the 1850 edition's inclusion of a portion of Theodore Weld's book "American Slavery" as an appendix. Later editions such as this one included selections of her correspondence as well as additional information on her life. Easton Press is well-known for its fine bindings. This copy is in a full brown leather binding with raised spine bands with five compartments. Cover and spine decorations in 22 kt gold, all edges gilt, silk moire end papers with silk ribbon bookmark, printed on archival acid-free paper with smyth sewing. There is also a gilt-decorated brown slipcase with this book. This is a nice clean, tight and unmarked book with no interior or exterior markings and no owner book plate has been affixed to the book (although the book plate that accompanies all Easton Press books is loosely inserted in the book and is not filled in). This book will make a wonderful addition to any library and would also make a fine gift. ; B&W Illustrations; 8vo, 8"- 9" tall; 324 pages .