Description
The Large-Paper, deluxe edition of Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings, signed by Joel Chandler Harris. A presentation copy to German Crown Prince, Friedrich Wilhelm in 1896.
Octavo, xxi, [3], 265pp, [3]. Publisher’s white vellum, title and illustrations in gilt. Top edge gilt. Uncut fore-edge. Closed tear on two leaves [199-202], with prior tape repair. Complete with frontispiece portrait and ten full-page illustrations by A.B. Frost, all with captioned tissue covers. Includes the publisher’s white paper dust jacket, in delicate condition, title and printed illustrations. Both hinge flaps detached, chip from front cover, scarce in any condition, with only one other known example to appear at auction.
(BAL 7131) (Grolier, 100 American) Housed in a custom beige cloth clamshell, marbled interior, title stamped in gilt on the spine.
From a signed limited edition of 250 copies, this being number 109. Signed by the author after the dedication: “Joel Chandler Harris,” with an excerpt from the book: “Han’ me down my walkin’ cane.”
This copy was a presentation copy from D. Appleton & Company to the 13-year old, German Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, the last German Crown Prince and Crown Prince of Prussia, before the abolition of the monarchy.
The first edition of Uncle Remus was published by D. Appleton in 1881. This New and Revised edition was issued in red buckram as a trade edition. (Provenance: Estate of Actor and Comedian, Arte Johnson, purchased in 2025). This work includes a letter from Freiherr von Lyncker, the Baron von Lyncker (Lieutenant Colonel and First Military Governor), regretting that the gifts for the Crown Prince cannot be accepted, and the book must be returned. Here is a full translation of the letter: “Plön in Holstein, 27 August 1896 / Dear Mrs. Franklin, I am honored to write to you in response to your letter of the 24th of this month addressed to General von Deines, and to express my sincere gratitude for sending the Uncle Remus book. At the same time, I have to inform you that gifts to His Imperial and Royal Highness the Crown Prince are not accepted as a matter of principle. I therefore regret to inform you that I am obliged to return this lovely book. / Yours sincerely, Freiherr von Lyncker / Oberstleutnant and Erster Militär-Gouverneur.”
