Carpe Libris: Sprigs of Acacia

“Seize the Book!”

Sprigs of Acacia
(By Samuel Adams Wiggin)
Samuel Adams Wiggin
Elkton, Md: N.P., 1885, First edition

Of Particular Note: This was a fun one to research. It took a bit of luck for us to amass all 3 since one is unique and the other two somewhat scarce. Click on Extra Information below to see more details about the author and his poetry.

Printed by: W.K. Wright
Dedication: "To Gen. William W. Dudley, U.S. Commissioner of Pensions, A brave and gallant soldier of freedom, and the author's true friend, this book is gratefully dedicated."
Narrative Description:

This is a group of 3 items all offered for sale as a mini-collection. It includes one item which is unique: an author's fair copy manuscript of poetry (holograph), containing 31 poems. This is being sold with an inscribed copy of the author's corresponding published work, now scarce, "Sprigs of Acacia", which includes many, but not all, of the poems from the holograph (some in altered state). The author was Samuel Adams Wiggin. Wiggin was born in 1832 and had followed a military career until Vice President Andrew Johnson became president after the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865. He was executive clerk to President Johnson (for 8 years) and (for 3 months) President Grant. Many of his poems were published in various newspapers of the day and were written in Poet's Corner in the White House. His published work has over 200 poems, including a satirical piece against Darwin's Origin of the Species theory. Other subjects include patriotism, the Rebellion (civil war), slavery, religious matters, and various family members.

In addition, this collection also includes "Poets of Portsmouth" a compilation of poems by poets associated with Portsmouth, New Hampshire, specifically: Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Rev. J.G. Adams, Rev. Charles Burroughs, Michael W. Beck, Esther W. Barnes, Mrs. Sarah Roberts Boyle, Charles W. Brewster, Mary Cutts, Samuel M. Demeritt, Daniel A. Drown, James T. Fields, Woodbury M. Fernald, Sarah H. Foster, Fannie E. Foster, Rev. Samuel Haven, Nathaniel Appleton Haven, Caroline Elizabeth Jenness, Harriet McEwen Kimball, James Kennard Junior, Albert Laighton, Benjamin D. Laighton, Mary E.B. Miller, Thomas P. Moses, John N. Moses, James R. May, Catherine M. McClintock, Edward P. Nowell, Mrs. C.E.R. Parker, Mrs. Adelaide E. M. Parker, Aurin M. Payson, Edward A. Rand, Jonathan M. Sewall, B.P. Shillaber, Louisa Simes, Eliza O. Shores, William B. Tappan, James P. Walker, Mrs. Caroline E. Whiton, Mrs. Julia Van Ness Whipple, and yes, two poems by S. Adams Wiggin (neither of which is in his holograph or his book, although one has the same title as one in his book). This mini-collection will appeal to New Hampshire poet collectors, collectors of 19c poets, as well as those generally interested in how events and social norms were manifested in poetry of this period.

Condition Book: Very Good / no dust jacket as issued
The condition for all 3 items being offered for sale in this collection is as follows: The holograph is in very good condition with wear to the leather and light soiling to the leaves which is as expected for a handwritten work. Sprigs of Acacia is in very good condition with slight bump to corners, some fraying at spine head, light shelfwear; a few leaves have small tears or marks; later PO name in ink on FFEP. The Poets of Portsmouth book is exlibrary with associated marks, discard stamp, light soiling, a few small chips, but otherwise suprisingly clean and sound.
Physical Description
Inscribed: The published book titled Sprigs of Acacia has "With the regards of the Author, Christmas, 1887" in his typical style in Wiggin's handwriting on the FFEP.
Signed: The holograph is decoratively hand-titled "Sprigs of Acacia" and signed on the FFEP in caligraphic script by S A Wiggin.
Bookplate: The holograph contains two hand-drawn custom color bookplates--each with Wiggin's initials
Binding: Hardcover. All 3 items are cloth with ornamental frame and elaborate gilt titling on cover and spine.
Size: 8.5" h 5.7" w 0.8" thick; 292 p Sprigs of Acacia, 405p Poets of Portsmouth
CL Stock # 611
In addition Note that this item consists of a mini-collection of three items
Price: $ 850.00 (extra postage required)
This item is listed under: Poetry, Multiple Items, Sets. (any of these links open in a new browser window)

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. - Richard Steele (1710)