The Last Words of Distinguished Men and Women
Dublin Core
Title
The Last Words of Distinguished Men and Women
Creator
Frederic Rowland Marvin
Publisher
New York: Fleming H. Revell Co.
Date
1902
Caxton Club Member Contributions Item Type Metadata
Brief Notes on Book
Frederic Rowland Marvin was a Minister, Professor and author of five books. He lived from 1847 to 1918 in Massachusetts.
Essay
This book is one of the poorest books in my library. It is an ex-library book, the spine is starting to peel off and it has suffered water damage making the pages stained and wavy. The book itself is not very interesting, a collection of purported last words of famous people. I bought it for a dollar at a rummage sale. Its interest lies in its provenance which is on the first blank page. I bought the book because it was inscribed as following:
" To Professor William James in acknowledgement of grand spiritual help received for the reader of his book "Human Immortality with the sincere regards of the author."
Frederic Rowland Marvin
Below this is the following:
"Bought Marh 10, 1924 at the sale of Professor James' Library at the Harvard Co-op."
and following that:
"Rebought by Thomas Ryder from the St. Gertrude Library."
and finally:
"Bought at the St. Jerome rummage sale April, 1991 by Jerome C. Yanoff."
I have never seen this kind of history in any other book. I hope the next owner will continue the tradition. There is room for more inscriptions.
" To Professor William James in acknowledgement of grand spiritual help received for the reader of his book "Human Immortality with the sincere regards of the author."
Frederic Rowland Marvin
Below this is the following:
"Bought Marh 10, 1924 at the sale of Professor James' Library at the Harvard Co-op."
and following that:
"Rebought by Thomas Ryder from the St. Gertrude Library."
and finally:
"Bought at the St. Jerome rummage sale April, 1991 by Jerome C. Yanoff."
I have never seen this kind of history in any other book. I hope the next owner will continue the tradition. There is room for more inscriptions.
Contributor
Jerry Yanoff
Files
Citation
Frederic Rowland Marvin, “The Last Words of Distinguished Men and Women,” Caxton Club Exhibits, accessed March 28, 2024, https://caxtonclub.omeka.net/items/show/24.