Christmas 1910.

Barton’s Tribute to Julia Ward Howe. Printed Document signed, with an added autograph note signed, Glen Echo, MD, Christmas 1910. 4 page, 6 ¾” x 5 ¼”. A noted Civil War nurse, Clara Barton found the American Red Cross in 1881 and served as the organization's president for twenty-three years. Her contemporary, Julia Ward How, also won fame during the Civil War as the author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." In later years, Howe was a leader in the woman’s rights movement, and she and Barton, who also supported suffrage and equality for women, doubtless crossed paths many times. Howe died on 17 October 1910 at the age of 91, and the 88-year-old Barton spoke at the memorial meeting held in New York the following month. This four-page pamphlet is a specially-printed copy of Barton’s statement. The front cover has the title, “Tribute of Clara Barton to Julia Ward Howe,” plus the final stanza of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (“In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea….”). The two inner pages contain Barton’s memorial to Howe: “…a great life grandly lived, and gloriously ended….a figure, quiet, unobtrusive, harmless and helpful, like the Master; comforting the sorrowful and the afflicted, strengthening the weak, correcting the erring, rebuking the wrong and upholding the right – an honor and a safeguard to her country…. The flinty road of human life is closed to her…but ‘across the sea in the beauty of the lilies her soul is marching on.’” Barton has signed at the bottom of page three, at the conclusion of her tribute, “Clara Barton,” adding the place and the date of Christmas 1910. On the blank fourth page of the pamphlet, she has penned a note, “Happy Holidays and prosperous years to our dear Clara…Lovingly Clara Barton.” The piece is in very good condition. A fine association of two leading American women reformers.

ISBN: none.

[Item #ATG00001]