Description
Confederate Secretary of War James Seddon’s copy of The Chemistry of Light and Photography by Hermann Vogel. Octavo, xi, 288, [12pp appendix]. Red cloth, title in printed gilt on spine, black illustrations, wear to both covers. Complete with frontispiece and 5 full page illustrated plates. Bookplate of A.M. Seddon (son) on front endpaper. From the personal library of James A. Seddon, signed by him on the front free endpaper in pencil: “James A. Seddon. Sabot Hill, VA. May 1876.” Additional ownership inscription on title page. A scarce book signed by Secretary Seddon.
Comments: James Seddon (1815-1880) was appointed by Jefferson Davis to serve as the Secretary of War for the Confederate States in November, 1862. He attended the Washington Peace Conference in 1861 and served as the spokesman for the secessionist cause. In 1864 he refused to consider enlistment of black troops, arguing that it would undermine southern society. In 1865, with considerable war losses, he resigned as Secretary and was replaced by John Breckinrdige. He retired to Sabot Hill, Virginia to purse agricultural endeavors.
