Description
- The first verse of the traditional U.S anthem 'America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)', handwritten and signed by the song's author Samuel Francis Smith.
Reverend Samuel Francis Smith (1808 - 1895) was a Baptist minister and author most famous for writing the song 'America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)' in 1831.
The song srved as the de facto national anthem of the United States, until it was officially replaced by The Star Spangled Banner in 1932.
This single light beige sheet (approx 5x6 in) features the first seven lines of "America", handwritten by Samuel Francis Smith in black ink.
"My country, tis of thee,
"sweet land of liberty,
"Of thee i sing;
"Land where my fathers died,
"Land of the pilgrims' pride,
"from every mountainside,
"Let freedom ring".
Smith signs below the verse, and adds both the date he composed the song "written Feb 1832" and the date of the manuscript itself "Apr. 85".
At the bottom of the page Smith inscribes this set of lyrics "For Mrs. A. M Denison".
In fine condition with overall light toning and a couple of horizontal folds which do not affect the signature.
A superb display item to compliment any American history collection.
Provenance: ex Stanley Gibbons.
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