Barton Clara 1821 (1 results)

xix, [1 (blank)], 444 pp. Text in French. 4to. Scarce Red-Cross volume, of which, at the time of cataloguing, OCLC recorded 5 institutional holdings [none in the US], inscribed to Dr Joseph Gardner, a prominent Indiana citizen and early friend/benefactor of Clara Barton, as well as patron of the recently-formed American Red Cross [founded in 1881, and of which Barton was president when this volume was inscribed]. Barton had a long-standing friendship with the Gardners, with her one-time sectetary Enola Lee, becoming the 3rd Mrs. Joseph Gardner. In 1893, Dr. Gardner donated a large plot of his land in Indiana to the American Red Cross, which Barton envisioned becoming a central-states headquarters/warehouse for the organization. All was to come to naught however, as the plot was never developed & ulitmately sold to settle back taxes, et al. Such was to later cause Barton problems, however, as she was accused of financial malfeasance, which ultimately contributed to her 1904 retirement from the Red Cross. Cf. Cavinder, MORE AMAZING TALES OF INDIANA, pp. 79 - 80. Early inscribed Barton material is somewhat uncommon in the trade. We are pleased to be able to offer this volume, documenting the friendship between these two civic-oriented individuals. Volume shows wear & evidence of dampstaining. Rear hinge paper starting at bottom. An About VG copy. Chemise & slipcase - Fine. Original publisher's blue cloth binding with silver stamped lettering to spine & front board, accompanied by an impressed silver & red Red Cross logo. Housed in a custom chemise & 1/4 leather slipcase with marbled paper boards 1st edition. PRESENTATION copy, INSCRIBED from Barton, "To my friend, / Dr. Joseph Gardner / with sentiments of esteem and cordial regard. / Which words cannot express. / Clara Barton. / Washington D. C, March 15, 1889." Further, a 2 line quote by Barton underneath, "As the best of all fortune has come [squiggly underline] in the past / My heart only prays that the present may last." concluded with her "C. B.".