Half a Century

Chicago: J. G. Swisshelm. 1880. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. F First Edition. H Hard Cover. Very Good. Scarce self-published first edition [1880] of this book by noted Victorian feminist and abolitionist Jane Grey Swisshelm. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Swisshelm became a teacher at age 14 and led a varied life, later becoming a newspaper editor, lecturer, and a nurse during the Civil War. Underlying her entire life was a strong devotion to equality for women and freedom for slaves. A fairly unassuming woman while young, Swisshelm became stronger and more outspoken as she matured, eventually addressing the Minnesota Senate in session, "and as many others as could be packed in the hall, with no more embarrassment than through talking with a friend in a chimney corner". This book tells the story of her life and convictions, with an important section on the inside history of the hospitals during the Civil War. Dark brown cloth lettered in gilt with additional decoration in gilt and in black, original dark brown endpapers, 363 pages. Some light cover wear, mainly some rubbing to the corners and spien ends, and three tiny "pinholes" in the cloth near the bottom of the front cover. Good hinges, sound text block with no loosened page, no chips, tears, names or other markings, almost entirely free of foxing (just a few speckles here and there). A very clean and sound copy.