Lot 242
Smith, Samuel Francis (1808-1895 Baptist minister, journalist and author; best known for writing the lyrics to "America." Autograph Quotation Signed ("S.F. Smith") the year of his death, being the first verse, seven lines, of "America," written on a 4½ x 4 in. piece of ruled paper, which is affixed to a 7¼ x 5 in. page. At lower left, Smith wrote, "Written in 1832. Feb. 13, 1895." Beautifully penned and signed. Smith attended Harvard from 1825 to 1829, and was a classmate of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. To help pay for his tuition, he did translations from several foreign languages into English and wrote magazine and newspaper articles. In 1832, a friend asked him to translate a German poem that was set to music. Smith liked the music so much that he wrote English lyrics for it, and "America" was born.
Estimated Value $700 - 900.
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| Realized $720 |
