96 300
159
●
(NARRATIVES.) KECKLEY, ELIZABETH.
Behind the Scenes.
Portrait fron-
tispiece of the author. 371 pages. 8vo, original red cloth (no precedent); some rubbing to
the spine extremities and tips.
New York: Carleton, 1868
[800/1,200]
FIRST EDITION
.
Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907), dressmaker, White House modiste and confidante
of Mary Todd Lincoln, was born into slavery in Virginia. She was able to earn enough as a dress-
maker to buy her freedom in 1855. After settling in Washington, she first worked for Jefferson Davis’s
wife Varina Howell Davis and then for Mrs. Lincoln. Ms. Keckley took care of Mrs. Lincoln through
some of her most difficult times.
160
●
(NARATIVES.) WILLIAMS, JAMES.
Narrative of James Williams, an
American Slave.
8 pages, small folio; crease where folded. Contemporary ownership sig-
nature at the head of the front page.
A REMARKABLY FRESH COPY
.
New York: Anti-Slavery Examiner, 1838
[800/1,200]
This narrative is printed in an unusual format, more like a newspaper supplement, rather than the
usual pamphlet format. Williams was born in Powhattan County, Virginia in 1805. His mother was
virtually white, the daughter of George Lattimore, a well-known slave owner, his father a native of
Africa.
159
Lot 160