Boston-born Baptist minister and academic (1808–1895) best known as the lyricist of ‘America’ (‘My Country, ’Tis of Thee’), written while he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary. ALS signed “S. F. Smith,” one page, lightly-lined both sides, 5.5 x 9, September 25, 1895. Letter to “my dear old friend,” in part; “Notwithstanding your thoughtful suggestion not to feel that I must answer all your letters directly, I am moved to reply to yours of yesterday & another a few days earlier. I am greatly interested in your pen-&-ink sketch. I know you are such master in that art. Your topic is lovely…My daughter Mrs. Candee has a graphophone cylinder having my voice in ‘America’ on it. It was given her by an agent of the Graph—who came here & exhibited it.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds and some light edge soiling. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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