Lot 651
Riley, James (1777-1840) Captain of the American merchant ship Commerce which was shipwrecked off the coast of Western Sahara in August 1815 and he and his men were made slaves by a band of marauding Arabs. Riley wrote about the degradations of slavery and how he survived in "Authentic Narrative of the Loss of the American Brig Commerce," published in 1817, later published as "Sufferings in Africa"; Abraham Lincoln's view on slavery is said to been influenced by Riley's book. Autograph letter from Riley to W.W. Woodward, 1p, 16½ x 10½ in., Philadelphia, 1818, April 16. Regarding "publishing a third Edition of my Narrative… it is allowed to be the cheapest Book in proportion to the quantity of matter & quality of materials & plates that has ever been published in the United States…." More details. Light toning, and a few small edge splits.
Estimated Value $400 - 600.
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| Realized $230 |
