An Oration Delivered on the Battlefield of Gettysburg, (November 19, 1863) at the Consecration of the Cemetery Prepared for the Interment of the Remains of Those Who Fell in the Battles of July 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1863. New York: Baker & Godwin, 1863. The first appearance of the Gettysburg Address in book form. Original printed paper wrappers, housed in custom chemise. 9 x 6 inches (23 x 15 cm); 48 pp., woodcut plan of the cemetery. Lincoln's speech appears on page 40. Faint spot of dampstain to the upper extremity of the first few pages, a small stain and faint toning to title, intermittent spots and small stains, small old tape repair to inner wrapper at head of spine, a few small losses and splits, some glue residue visible along spine, with the bookplate of Victor B. Levit to inside case cover.

“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” This is the rare first book form edition of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the most impactful of American speeches, delivered on the battlefield and published just days following the November 1863 consecration of the cemetery. While Lincoln’s speech is not mentioned on the title page and is printed following the text of Everett’s speech (which lasted two hours on the day), the Gettysburg Address is of enduring interest and is remembered as “immortal, one of the supremest utterances of the principles of democratic freedom” (PMM).

This first book form edition is preceded only by newspaper printings and the extremely rare 16 pp. pamphlet The Gettysburg Solemnities, which is known in three copies. Howes E233; Sabin 23263; Streeter 3:1747; Printing and the Mind of Man 351. Grolier, American 100 72 (note); Monaghan 193; Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg 191-204.