An Oration delivered on The Battlefield of Gettysburg, (November 19, 1863,) at the Consecration of the Cemetery: Prepared for the interment of the remains of those who fell in the battles of July 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1863

New York: Baker & Godwin, Printers and Publishers, Printing-House Square, opposite City Hall, 1863. Softcover. Very Good. The earliest publication of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in book form, preceded only by the exceptionally scarce 16-page pamphlet: *The Gettysburg Solemnities* (a point disputed by John Carbonell in his book on the subject). Octavo. Stitched, in the original printed wrapper, with a publisher's advertisement on the rear wrap. pp. [1-3] 4-48. Modest overall toning and rubbing to the wrapper, some fraying to the corners, part of the paper along the spine back is perished, one narrow vertical stain to the front wrap and title page, a very good copy with a few scattered contemporary brown ink markings. Very light contemporary ownership name in pencil at the top of the front wrap. Housed in a fine quarter blue morocco slip case with gilt spine lettering and two raised bands, and an internal cloth chemise. "Collection of Foreman M. Lebold" stamped in gold on the front cover of the slipcase. Foreman M. Lebold was a noted collector of Lincoln material, and the eldest brother of Nathan Leopold, one of the infamous Leopold and Loeb teenage thrill killers convicted of the murder of Bobby Franks which captured the attention of the nation. Foreman, like much of his family, eventually changed his last name to Lebold because of the notoriety of the trial.

Lincoln delivered his speech at the dedication ceremony of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, about four months after the pivotal battle that turned the tide of the Civil War in favor of the Union. His speech was preceded by an Oration by Edward Everett, the most famous orator of the day. Everett's oration, printed here in full, took about two hours to deliver and is now largely forgotten. Lincoln's address was delivered in only a few minutes, and is now celebrated as the supreme distillation of American values, and testament to the sacrifices necessary to achieve freedom for all Americans. It is printed on page 40 of this booklet under the title: "The dedicatory remarks were then delivered by the President, as follows: / President Lincoln's Speech. / Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation ..."

A handsome, well-preserved copy in the original wrapper.

*Sabin* 23263; *Printing and the Mind of Man* 351.