[JOHNSON, Andrew (1808-1875), his copy]. Stephens, Alexander Hamilton. Speech of Hon. Alex. H. Stephens, Of Georgia, on the Civil Rights’ Bill, delivered ... in Congress assembled, 5th of January, 1874. Washington, 1874.

8vo. 4 unbound folded sheets, with title-page tipped to first leaf. (First and last pages soiled with some pale stains, some marginal fraying.)

ANDREW JOHNSON’S COPY, with his numerous pencil signatures and other notations throughout.

After the expiration of his presidential term, Johnson ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 1869 and for the House in 1872 before being reelected to the Senate in 1874. While out of office, Johnson remained active in steering reconstruction past both former confederates and radical Republicans, so there is little wonder that he owned and read a speech on the Civil Rights Bill by the Vice President of Confederate States of America. Johnson has signed the title-page in full seven times and the recto of the first page of text three times. In addition, the final page is signed "Johnson" seven times and the title-page "Andrew" twice. The title-page also has a few unconnected autograph words and phrases ("Cotton is Passion"; "wool wool") and the final page a bit of ciphering. An interesting association item, linking two of the most important Southern politicians-one a Unionist, the other a secessionist-of the Civil War era. A VERY FINE ASSOCIATION COPY.

Property from the Patrick Atkinson Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota

[JOHNSON, Andrew (1808-1875), his copy]. Stephens, Alexander Hamilton. Speech of Hon. Alex. H. Stephens, Of Georgia, on the Civil Rights’ Bill, delivered ... in Congress assembled, 5th of January, 1874. Washington, 1874.