<I>The Freedmen's Book</I>

Lydia Maria Child, American, 1802 - 1880 · 1866

A hardcover book with dark brown cover. Gold writing on the spine reads, [The / Freedmen's / Book / Mrs. Child / Ticknor & CO]. The title page readds [THE / FREEDMEN'S BOOK. / BY L. MARIA CHILD.] followed by a quote from John G. Whittier, the logo for Ticknor and Fields, and the text [BOSTON: / TICKNOR AND FIELDS. 1866.]. The book begins with a dedication to Robert Small, reading [TO / THE LOYAL AND BRAVE / CAPTAIN ROBERT SMALL, / Hero of the Steamboat Planter, / THIS VOLUME IS REPSECTFULLY DEDICATED BY / L. MARIA CHILD.]. This is followed by an introductory greeting addressed [TO THE FREEDMEN.] that begins with "I have prepared this book expressly for you, with the hope that those of you who can read will read it aloud to others, and that all of you will derive fresh strength and courage from this true record of what colored men have accomplished, under great disadvantages." It is signed [Your old friend, / L. Maria Child.]. Contents include biographies, prayers, poems, and essays.