LOWELL, James Russell — UNDER THE WILLOWS AND OTHER POEMS
Boston. Fields, Osgood, & Co.. First Edition. Publisher's gilt-decorated green cloth; BAL 13129: State C, Binding C. An interesting copy INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the popular 19th Century author Benjamin Shillaber to his daughter on the front blank: "To my daughter Lydia/with a/Christmas Blessing./B. P. Shillaber/Dec. 25, 1868." With the signature or ink stamp of L. Shillaber on the top of the title page. One of Shillaber's characters, Mrs. Partington, was Mark Twain's model for Aunt Polly in TOM SAWYER. Shillaber also, in 1851, became the founding editor of THE CARPET-BAG, one of the country's first comic publications. An 1852 issue ran a short article titled "The Dandy Frightening the Squatter" by a 16-year-old Samuel L. Clemens.. Ink in inscription a bit faded but still very readable. Spine tips lightly frayed; hinges cracked with the bottom cord of the front hinge broken. Cloth rather clean and bright. Good
