Gleanings from Merrimac Valley Sheaf Number One and Two

Sheaf Number One Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged

Sheaf Number Two Second Edition

Published 1887 Haverhill, Massachusetts 

Chase Brothers 13-15 Washington St

136 pages &136 pages. Text in English.

"A certain writer has said that Merrimac Valley is to New England what Greece is to the world- the cradle of the great and the good, the birthplace of art, genius, song, oratory, and moral greatness."  

Sheaf Number One in forest green cloth, Sheaf number Two in navy blue cloth with bright gilt cover and spine printing. Wheat of grain sheaf on cover, beveled boards. All edges spectacularly bold and bright gilt. Frontis portrait of Harriet Livermore and Whittier's birthplace. Tissue guards in place. Contents include but not limited to Harriet Livermore; Lines read at the Memorial services of President Garfield; Whittier's Countess, The Old Garrison House, Visit to Whittier's birthplace; Poems, and more. Small spot of fox to the frontis, else contents clean and tight. Shelf wear head/tail spine with some scuff to the front and back boards, please look closely at the photographs. Gilt lines top and bottom. 5 3/4 inches by 4 1/4 inches

The first edition of Gleanings from Merrimac Valley was well received in by the literary community of the day. Evidence of this is provided in these second and third edition sheaf featuring a page of review and comments on the work of Rebecca Davis from such notable authors of the time as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and John G. Whittier. 

The book has been well cared for and is in near fine condition. At 137 years of age, it is clean, tight, and sound. The book is attractive on a shelf and displays a pleasing and unique age patina. Minor shelf wear, though present, is forgivable and easy to overlook.