Smith, Samuel Francis. (1808-1895)

"My Country Tis of Thee," Autograph Signed Quotation

Autograph quotation of one of America's most famous anthems, penned and signed by the author, on two lightly lined off-white approximately 5 x 7.5 inch sheets, signed at the conclusion “S. F. Smith, Written in 1832. / June 10, 1891.” Smith pens all four stanzas of “America.” 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 mountainside,/Let freedom ring…. Our father’s God to Thee,/Author of liberty,/To Thee we sing./Long may our land be bright,/with freedom’s holy light,/Protect us by Thy might,/Great God our King.” Matted and framed with a hand colored steel engraving of the Battle of Bunker's Hill (Phillibrown, after Chappel, published 1859) to an overall size of 24 x 18. Unexamined out of the original Charles Hamilton frame, but in apparently fine condition with light toning and the writing clear and distinct throughout. Examples of this classic of collectible Americana including all four stanzas have become quite elusive.
Smith was a Boston-born Baptist minister, academic, and hymn writer who is best known for these very lyrics, written while he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary. Smith's powerful patriotic song, set to the same melody as the British national anthem ("God Save the Queen"), served as a de facto national anthem for much of the 19th century. Signed manuscript quotations of Smith's immortal lyrics are extremely desirable. (18580)

Autograph Letter Song