[ABOLITION]. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry reported in The East Floridian. Vol. I, No. 22. Fernandina, FL: Wm. H. Babcock, 20 October 1859.

4pp., folio, 24 1/2 x 17 1/4 in. Disbound. A rare, pre-Civil War Florida newspaper containing a lengthy, early inside page report of the Harpers Ferry insurrection led by radical abolitionist John Brown (page 2, column 7).

The report, states, in part, "The plan has been concocted more than a year; the parties rendezvoused at a farm a few miles distant, hired for the purpose. Capt. Brown, of Kansas notoriety, under the assumed name of Bill Smith, was one of the leaders.

A "Later Dispatch" continues, "A battle was last night fought, mainly by Railroad men. One conductor was killed and two conductors were wounded. It is thought the Abolitionists will be hung as soon as taken."

The final dispatch indicates, "The insurgents at Harpers Ferry, black and white, have surrendered. The leaders confess that it was an Abolitionist movement."

Fully separated at centerfold. Scotch tape repair near central, horizontal fold line of page 2.

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Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[ABOLITION]. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry reported in The East Floridian. Vol. I, No. 22. Fernandina, FL: Wm. H. Babcock, 20 October 1859.

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