Moll Pitcher - photo 1

Moll Pitcher

Lot 258
16.06.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 6 048
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 967457
Lot 258 | Moll Pitcher
Estimate value
$ 6 000 – 9 000
[WHITTIER, John Greenleaf (1807-1892).] Moll Pitcher, a Poem. Boston: Carter and Hendee, 1832.

Even she, our own weird heroine,
Sole Pythoness of ancient Lynn,
Sleeps calmly where the living laid her;
And the wide realm of sorcery,
Left, by its latest mistress, free,
Hath found no gray and skilled invader.

Doheny copy, uncut in original wrappers, of the first edition of Whittier's poem on legendary Massachusetts sorceress Moll Pitcher—extremely scarce at auction. This is Whittier's second book, inspired by his reading of John Neal's witchcraft novel Rachel Dyer. It tells the story of Moll Pitcher, a real Massachusetts woman who achieved fame as a fortune teller and was particularly known for her predictions regarding sea voyages. She found her way into many literary works, including Hawthorne's House of the Seven Gables. In 1884, Whittier wrote that he doubted any copes were still extant, as only a few copies were printed. In the last 50 years, only two other copies have appeared at auction, and only one in original wrappers (Bradley Martin). BAL 21677.

Quarto (242 x 153mm). 28pp. (a little faint spotting to title). Original blue printed wrappers, uncut (a few light spots, chips at top of spine). State Library of Massachusetts (faint discard stamp dated May 2 1911 on upper wrapper and title verso) - Estelle Doheny (her sale, Christie's New York, 22 February 1989, lot 2220).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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16.06.2023
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