Signed book: The Old Sergeant and Other Poems, by Forceythe Willson. Later printing. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1867. Hardcover, 4.75 x 7, 115 pages. Signed on the first free end page in pencil with an ownership signature by the literary elder, “O. W. Holmes from J. T. Fields April 10th, 1869, Please return to OWH, 297 Beacon St, Boston,” and on a presentation bookplate affixed to the rear pastedown in black ink by his jurist son, “Oliver Wendell Holmes.” Autographic condition: light foxing to first free end page and a few wrinkles to bookplate, otherwise fine. Book condition: VG-/None (Ex-Library). A rare pairing of the father and son, appropriately found in a book of poetry. The poem ‘Old Sergeant’ was a favorite of both Holmes men—Holmes, Sr. was even known to recite it during the Civil War at poetry lectures. This was almost certainly presented to Holmes, Sr., by James Thomas Fields—the “Fields” in Ticknor and Fields—who published some of Holmes’s work. A terrific association between these influential figures.
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