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. Highly desirable AQS on an off-white 10 x 8 sheet, lightly lined, signed at the conclusion in ink, "S. F. Smith." Smith pens the four original verses of 'America' in their entirety, in part: "My country, 'tis of thee, / Sweet land of liberty, / Of thee I sing; / Land where my fathers died, / Land of the pilgrims' pride, / From every mountain side, / Let freedom ring." Smith adds to the conclusion, "Written in 1832, Nov. 29, 1889." On the reverse is an autograph letter signed "From the Author, S. F. Smith," to "Mr. P. Wade," in part: "I thank you for the photograph of the beautiful battle monument of the First Massachusetts Infantry at Gettysburg. I return you within this sheet an autograph copy of 'My country, 'tis of thee,' which was so often sung during the Civil War, and sometimes under thrilling circumstances." In very good condition, with edge chipping and staining, overall toning, a split to the top of the hinge, and slight fading from prior display. A significant autograph connecting Smith's patriotic song with the heroic Union volunteers at Gettysburg.
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