Incredible-content TLS, one page, 7 x 10, July 25, 1889. Douglass praises the Young Churchman Company for an unknown story, in part: “[The story] is a timely and truthful story, and may awaken sympathy for a class whose color is visited upon it, as a crime is upon other people. In view of the unreasoning and inflexible character of the popular prejudice against any one in whose veins there is a trace of African blood, I cannot but applaud your courage and independence in daring to publish a story which so boldly calls this prejudice in question.” At the bottom, Douglass writes a postscript to Jennie Marsh Parker: “Among all your many obedient friends, I am sure you have not one more responsive than I am to all your commands—I have sent the above to the Young Churchman Co. F. Douglass.” Letter also bears a small notation in another hand. Matted with a portrait and an attractive $5 bank note from the Douglass National Bank of Chicago, to an overall size of 19 x 18.25. The letter is affixed by its edges to a larger mount and is in very good condition, with intersecting folds, one fold affecting a single letter of each signature, mounting remnants to edges, and the typed text extremely light and quite difficult to read.
Douglass and Parker had been friends for more than 40 years when the abolitionist and suffragist sent her this letter. At the time, Parker was a writer who contributed stories to the Young Churchman newspaper, and Douglass was obviously moved by her words, applauding her for publishing a story questioning “the popular prejudice against any one in whose veins there is a trace of African blood.” This same year, after Douglass was appointed as a US minister to Haiti, he invited Parker and others to join him for a three-month stay on the island, during which she studied Haitian history, social conditions, race and class distinctions, women’s rights, and work conducted by Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries. She later used the research gained in later works. A significant letter from one of the most important figures in the abolitionist movement. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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