The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

8vo (191 x 121 mm). 5 wood-engraved plates. Original brown cloth (newly rebacked in brown morocco); chemise and morocco-backed slipcase.

PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE TRANSLATOR TO "HIS EXCELLENCY" ABRAHAM LINCOLN on the front flyleaf: "To His Excellency President U.S.A. Hon. Abraham Lincoln. In this volume, offered as an expression of gratitude from the translator, Geo. Constantine, Athens, Greece, (March 26 1865)."

[Tipped in with:] Autograph letter signed ("Geo. Constantine") to "His Excellency...Abraham Lincoln," Athens, Greece, 24 March 1865. 3pp. on bifolium, 8vo, few small stains. PRESENTING ABRHAM LINCOLN WITH THE ABOVE BOOK. In part: "Dear Sir, I trust you will be indulgent with us, for the sake of the Bible & of America, in attempting to teach you, now on the last score of human life, the Greek language & appoint you, while most busily engaged in America, an assistant Bibleman among the Greeks. I was so deeply impressed with the beneficial influence of the 'Pioneer Boy' that I could not rest till it was prepared for Greek readers [...] Please [...] accept a copy of the "Pioneer Boy" as a specimen of the Greek edition, It is accompanied with our prayers, the greatest gift & the only one a Bible man can offer for his country & its President, at times like these."

[Also tipped in with:] Autograph letter signed ("Wm M. Thayer"), to "Mrs. Abraham Lincoln," Franklin, MA, 21 November 1865. 2pp. on bifolium, 8vo, old folds. In part: "[...] I mail to your address a copy of my 'Pioneer Boy' in the Greek Language [...] I enclose, also, a letter from [Constantine] to your dear lamented husband, written as you will see, two weeks before his death [...] You will appreciate this translation of the volume into Greek as a tribute to the character of Mr. Lincoln, so loved by his countrymen, and so honored by the people of other lands. The thought of his exalted virtues cherished by the memories of all, must be a solace to you in your deep affliction."

AN EXCELLENT ASSOCIATION COPY, OWNED BY THREE GENERATIONS OF LINCOLNS.

PROVENANCE:
Abraham Lincoln (inscription from the translator on front flyleaf); Mary Todd Lincoln (autograph letter from the author); Robert Todd Lincoln (Hildene Library stamp on front free endpaper); Abraham ("Jack") Lincoln II (his signature on front flyleaf); a private collection (ownership bookplate).