My Bondage and My Freedom : Part I-Life as a Slave; Part II-Life as a Freeman
New York: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855. Frontispiece and two plates. First edition, first printing. Original dark brown cloth, blind decorations and spine titled in gilt. [vi]-xxxii; [33]-464; [4, ads] pp. 7.75" x 5.25" Business card adhered to front pastedown, damp staining affecting binding, endpapers, rear ads, illustrations and facing pages; lean, extremities worn, half-inch split upper shoulder; frontispiece, title page, and text remain bright and sharp. A very good minus copy overall. Item #245423
A LIFE BEYOND BONDAGE
Building upon his landmark Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845), My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) deepens the story of Douglass’ journey from slavery to freedom—and his understanding of what that freedom demands. The second of his three autobiographies, it reaches beyond personal testimony to explore the forces that sustain slavery and the prejudices that persist beyond its reach. Part autobiography, part philosophy, part social criticism, it is both a powerful account of an extraordinary life and an indictment of a nation at odds with its own ideals.
A serviceable first edition of one of the most influential anti-slavey narratives to ever be published.
From the library of Virgil and Catherine Deanes of Colorado, with their inscription to the endpapers.
[Blockson 9717; Sabin 20714].
Price: $6,000.00