A very scarce work. Published only once, we trace this as the first and only early post-Civil war work published specifically addressing the spiritual and community needs of the children of Freedmen, i.e. emancipated slaves, after the Emancipation Proclamation and in the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War. Presumably authored by a teacher at one of the "freedchildren" schools.
It has been offered but once at auction in the last 100 years. Previous to two months ago, we had never seen or handled a copy, but oddly acquired two of them nearly simultaneously. An exceptionally rare piece of Americana. The other has now sold.
Anonymous. Martha's Gift: A Story for the Freedchildren by a Teacher. Philidalphia. American Sunday School Union. 1868. 142pp.
A fair copy only, bound in quarter leather, with boards detached; nearly disbound and lacking a frontis. It does however retain its secondary woodcut plate as shown. Pages are handled, with light foxing, and are toned throughout.
