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MARIA L. BAKER, WILLIAM BAKER et al : 1851 - 1858 ORIGINAL, SOMBER MANUSCRIPT BOOK OF SENTIMENTS AND MEMORIES HANDWRITTEN BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY FROM BEAUFORT TO SAVANNAH TO OCALA

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a charming, though on the dark side, original pre-Civil War, ornate black leather friendship book from the pre-Confederate South with entries dated 1851 to 1858. The "Sacred Album" was a gift to a young woman named Miss Maria L. Baker, presented to her early 1850 by a Sister Mary Ann as inscribed on the front flyleaf. The book is a bit of an enigma; we note a rather poignant and touching personal poem penned by brother William concerning the loss of his sister among the first entries in 1851. We also note an entry referencing the death of 'Annie L.' Was William Maria's brother? Perhaps Annie was their sibling and the book deals with the family's sorrow and grief? Here is William's poem: "Thou too art gone, thou loved and lovely one! Whom youth and youth's affections bound to me; What is our being? Thou hast ceased to be! Nor staid to welcome here thy brother home, Who mourns o'er land which we no more shall see - Wouldst they had never been, or were to come! Wouldst he had ne'er returned to find fresh cause to roam Oh! Ever loving, lovely and beloved! Come selfish sorrow ponder on the past; And cling to thought's soon better removed But time shall tear thy shadow from me last. Oct 2nd 1851 William." The book is a beautiful collection of poems, somber and sorrowful, tributes by various individuals, all handwritten from Savannah, Greenville, Beaufort, Ocala etc. All 34 handwritten entries in the 53 page book have beautiful period calligraphy. The "Sacred Album" was a popular blank book in the early and mid 19th Century especially among young women. Friends would pen in selected poetry, and sometimes their own original pieces. The entries frequently reflect deep spiritual sentiments, and often addressed the meaning of true and enduring friendship. Hardbound in original black boards with ornate blindstamp borders and vignette. Beautiful and elaborate gilt ornamentation on both front and back panels with a gilt depiction of Christ on the back panel. 6¼ x 7 ½ inches. Overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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