The Life of Abraham Lincoln

Springfield, Mass: Gurdon Bill, 1866. First Edition, First Printing. Blind Stamped Leather Hardcover. Good/No Dust Jacket As Issued.

Blind stamped leather; spine with title and author labels with decorated sections. 8.25 inches tall; 544 pages with a page of publisher's advert. Text block marbled.

The bindings are tight and square, lower front hinge starting, small opening in upper front joint. Text clean with occasional foxing, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear, upper spine tip abraded.. In 1866, Abraham Lincoln was still emerging as the revered symbol of American leadership and democracy that history would come to recognize. Although not yet the iconic figure he would become, the seeds of his transformation had already been sown.

A significant contributor to this evolving narrative was Josiah Gilbert Holland, whose 'Life of Abraham Lincoln' stands as the inaugural comprehensive post-assassination biography of Lincoln. This work served as a trailblazer, imprinting the landscape of Lincolnia with its indelible mark.

Published within a year of Lincoln's tragic death, Holland's biography delved into the now-familiar tales of young Lincoln earning his first silver dollar as a rail-splitter, his honorable compensation for a ruined book, the impactful millhorse's kick to his head, the legendary wrestling match with Jack Armstrong, and the enduring anecdotes about Lincoln's distinctive sense of humor and wit. Throughout, Holland crafted his narrative in an accessible, familiar style, painting a portrait of Lincoln not only as a political leader but also as a man, a husband, a father, and a moral compass during a tumultuous period of national conflict.

In essence, Holland's meticulous and heartfelt portrayal played a pivotal role in shaping the public's perception of Abraham Lincoln, contributing significantly to the transformation of a leader into a legend.

Ref: Sabin 32512