UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; or, Life Among the Lowly

Boston: John P. Jewett & Company, 1852. 2 volumes. First edition. Later Issue, in the Rare Special Presentation Binding, elaborately gilt decorated and gilt edged, first edition of the text with later points. Copyright statement of Geo. C. Rand & Co. Illustrated with original engravings. 8vo, publisher's original purple-brown cloth, with full gilt decorated spines and extra gilt fully decorated covers for this noted limited gift binding, all edges gilt, the best of the publisher's special bindings. [i]-x, [13]-312, [2-blank]; [2, blank], [i]-iv, [5]-322, [2, blank], [12 publisher's ads], [2, blank] pp. collated complete, six engraved illustrations. A very pleasing and handsome copy of this very scarce issue. The books present very well with only just a bit of the inevitable rubbing to the head of the spine panels, a beautifully preserved copy, with only light mellowing to the cloth, the original yellow endleaves remain in a fine state of preservation, the hinges are tight and strong, the text-blocks also in very pleasing condition with only rare instances of the normally confronted spotting. RARE FIRST EDITION, LATER ISSUE IN THE RARE GIFT BINDING RICHLY DECORATED IN GILT, Arguably, the most influential work of American literature and unquestionably a milestone of 19th century world literature. The initial printing sold out immediately upon publication and the book went through continual reissues for years after its introduction. Nice copies of the first edition as with this copy have become increasingly difficult to find. The book is especially scarce in the deluxe presentation binding. UNCLE TOM'S CABIN IS THE ONLY AMERICAN NOVEL TO BE INCLUDED IN PMM. "In the emotion-charged atmosphere of nineteenth-century America, UNCLE TOM'S CABIN EXPLODED LIKE A BOMBSHELL...THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF UNCLE TOM'S CABIN on the United States was greater than that of any book before or since." PMM
‘For Harriet Beecher Stowe, the battle against slavery was a God-ordained crusade to cleanse the United States of an evil affront to humanity. In the emotion charged atmosphere of mid-19th century America this novel exploded like an atomic bomb. For those opposed to slavery it was a testament to all that was wrong in an evil system. To the pro-slavery forces it was considered a slanderous attack on an established way of life. In either case, the impact of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN on the society of the United States of America was probably greater than any book published before or since’. PMM
Stowe presented her story in the style of popular works of the era [melodramatically]--and with religious undertones, but the themes of the novel--the breaking up of families, violence, the naive idea of a return to Africa, and the question of slaves’ agency in this oppression--are historically significant. Stowe had not only witnessed incidents like the ones described in her novel, but “had long been concerned about slavery, having read the autobiographies of Frederick Douglass and Louis Clark, as well as the abolitionist tracts of L.M. Child and Theodore Weld, and in 1850, when the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, she began writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” [The Fem GT Lit in Eng] The Fugitive Slave Act, in combination with her book, were arguably the catalysts for the Civil War, as even Lincoln implied upon meeting Stowe.
The initial printing sold out immediately. Of the roughly 5000 copies of the first issue printed, 3000 are believed to have sold on the very first day. An amazing and unmatched achievement in 19th century book selling. Reissues appeared immediately, eight steam-powered presses were dedicated to this title by the publisher and yet they still failed to keep up with demand. By the end of the year over 300,000 copies were sold. Thus, true first issues are understandably very hard to come by. In fact, all of the early issues are very difficult to find in good condition. This was one of the most read, passed along, reread and passed along again books in history, certainly in American literature few other titles even come close.
It is said that for writing this extraordinary bestseller Ms. Stowe was paid only $300. For her the battle against slavery was a God-ordained crusade to cleanse the United States of an Evil affront to Humanity. In the emotion charged atmosphere of 19th century America this novel exploded like an atomic bomb. For those opposed to slavery it was a testament to all that was wrong in an evil system. To the pro-slavery forces it was considered a slanderous attack on an established way of life. In either case, the impact of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN on the society of the United States of America was probably greater than any book published before or since.