1869 COURT CIRCLES of the REPUBLIC / BEAUTIES & CELEBRITIES of the NATION Ellet

Description: "The Court Circles of the Republic, or the Beauties and Celebrities of the Nation" by Mrs. E.F. Ellet, illustrations by Mrs. R.E. Mack. 1869 Hartford Publishing, Hartford, Connecticut. No edition or printing detail provided on copyright or title page, apparent first (book first published in 1869, later editions have different year on title page). 588 pages with 16 etching illustration plates. Hardcover with no dust jacket, as issued. Description from the title page: "Illustrating life and society under eighteen presidents; describing the social features of the successive administrations from Washington to Grant; the drawing-room circles; the prominent statesmen and leading ladies; the brilliant belles and distinguished visitors; the principal entertainments; fashionable styles of dress; manners; etiquette; anecdotes; incidents; etc. etc.". From the description, this could be a precursor to, say, People magazine, or a newspaper society page in book form. The author, Elizabeth F. Ellet, wrote many books, mostly about women in history. According to her Wikipedia entry, Ellet was also involved in scandals, including one with Edgar Allan Poe, where Poe's wife, on her deathbed, claimed Ellet had been "her murderer". (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_F._Ellet ). Tellingly, Ellet included as one of the illustrative portraits in this book on "beauties and celebrities of the nation" her own portrait. Another odd thing about this book is that the portraits were of women, except for one - the representative portrait illustration of the Lincoln administration, which shows a dashing male lawyer. I wonder if a point was being made... Photos are of the actual book on offer. See the photos for additional insight into content and condition of this relatively well preserved 150+ year old look at political society.

Price: 39.75 USD

Location: Lisle, Illinois

End Time: 2024-12-16T21:04:24.000Z

Shipping Cost: 9 USD