Connecticut River Book Auction
July 12th, 2024
www.ctriverbookauction.com 860-908-8067
949 Main Street in South Glastonbury, CT 06073

SOUTH GLASTONBURY, CONN. — June of 1876 is famous for several reasons. The Battle of the Little Big Horn was fought that month; the Centennial Exhibition was underway; and Julia Smith’s Bible, the first translated by a woman from the Hebrew and Greek into English, was published. Oh, and that same year in that same month Julia and Abby Smith won their lawsuit against the Town of Glastonbury’s tax collector, George C. Andrews for illegally seizing 15 acres of their land for back taxes.

A first edition copy of Julia Smith’s recounting of that battle is a Connecticut River Book Auction offering in its July 12 sale at the South Congregational Church.

The story of this little known struggle for women’s rights began in 1873 when this tax collector reassessed their property and that of other women in town but not that of male landowners. The sisters, already well-known for their pro-suffrage views, refused to pay this levy. As Abby stated outside town hall: “Now all we ask of the town is to put us on an equality with these men, not to rule over them as they rule over us, but to be put on an equality with them. Is this an unreasonable request?”

The initial action of Glastonbury’s tax collector was to seize Abby’s seven cows, which were then auctioned for payment of back property taxes in the amount of $101.39. Family friends purchased the cows, and Abby had her livestock returned.

This battle of wills continued, culminating in 1874 with the decision by the tax collector to sell off prime meadow land valued at thousands of dollars for less than $80. The auction to sell that property that should have happened never did. Rather, the tax collector sold the land in a private transaction. That act is what led to the lawsuit that eventually led to the Smith sisters’ legal victory.

Given Julia’s intellectual prowess, it should not be surprising that she would wage a battle of the wits with (what can only be considered in retrospect ) a dim witted Glastonbury official. Proving that the pen is truly mightier than masculinity, her letters drew national attention to their cause. Gathering these letters and other communications, she published in 1877 Abby Smith and Her Cows. This softcover 94-page volume in faded peach-colored wrappers is a joy to read and given its small printing is a sought-after work of early suffragette writing.

The first edition copy that Connecticut River Book Auction is offering at its July 12 sale has moderate wear to the covers. The frontispiece drawn by Abby of herself with five of her cows is present.

This copy has the signature of Dr Charles Douglas of Hebron (a neighboring town) on the front cover. It is likely this copy was owned by his wife, Ida Porter Douglas, who was, herself, a suffragette.

The South Congregational Church is at 949 Main Street. For information, www.ctriver-bookauction.com or 860-908-8067.

Will hold a LIVE and IN-PERSON BOOK AUCTION at the South Congregational Church located at 949 Main Street in South Glastonbury, CT 06073
Inspection begins at noon with the auction starting at 6 pm. ABSENTEE/ PHONE BIDDERS call 860-908-8067 for Information
July 4th has come and gone. Hard to believe but sidewalk sales are offering summer clothing at a discount and Halloween candy is making an appearance. Here in South Glastonbury, we’re unpacking books and ephemera that will make you forget what time of year it may be.
Let’s start with history and a very scarce and desirable softcover volume entitled “Abby and Her Cows:’ Written by Julia Smith and published in in 1877, this 1st edition is a collection of her letters to newspapers across the United States in protest of local authorities seizing her sister’s cows for failure to pay taxes. Not only are Julia’s letters a pleasure to read but the scorn heaped upon Glastonbury by editorial writers across the country is immensely entertaining.
Then again, perhaps, you would prefer an 1885 copy of Custer’s “Boots and Saddles;’ Isaac Asimov’s (1966, signed) “The Roman Republic;’ or Mahan’s (1890) “The Influence of Sea Power Upon History:’
As always we’re rich in 1st edition fiction by Twain (1869) “The Innocents Abroad;’ and (1892) “The American Claimant;’ Burgess’ (1983, signed) “The End of World News;’ Hemingway’s (1932) “Death in the Afternoon;’ Atwood’s (1996, signed) “Alias Grace;’ Saul Bellow’s (1953, signed BOMC) “The Adventures of Augie March;’ and Steinbeck’s (1952) “East of Eden” to name a few.
For art lovers there are several copies of Bruce Weber’s work and signed copies of the artistry of Eric Sloane. There are also copies of Leighton’s (1935, signed) “Four Hedges;’ and (1944, signed) “Wood Engraving and Woodcuts:’ Not to be ignored is Keith’s (1928) “Eastern Windows an Artist’s Notes of Travel;’ and Hagreen (1975, signed) “Philip Hagreen The Artist and His Work’.’
Like autographs, then consider volumes signed by Bob Newhart, Pearl Buck and several by President Jimmy Carter. And then there is broadly termed the ephemera. There is the ceremonial sword, photo and citation of Col. Charles Perley Gray M.D. given as thanks for his lifesaving service during the Mexican Border War against Pancho Villa. Or a truly impressive Stereoscope with slides that I believe was used by an eye doctor, Esquire Vargas calendars for 1942, 1944 and 1946 and not to be omitted 15 Astronaut / NASA patches connected to Hamilton Standard maker of spacesuits.
For more information on this 6 pm, Friday, July 12th book auction to be held at the South Congregational Church,
949 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT 06073 visit ctriverbookauction.com
South Congregational Church • 949 Main St, South Glastonbury, CT • www.ctriverbookauction.com • 860-908-8067