With an important and evocative provenance to the Grimke and Drayton library at South Bay House, South Carolina and one of the most prominent abolitionist families in American history. The Grimké family's abolitionism began with the sisters Sarah (1792-1873) and Angelina (1805-1879), the daughters of a South Carolina slave owning plantation owner who both advocated through speech and their writing for the civil rights of African Americans and women.
The penned inscriptions in both volumes are in the hand of the Grimke sisters’ brother, Thomas Smith Grimke and both read Theodore D Grimke for his attachment and attention to his brother Drayton from their father Thomas S Grimke (dated 7 Sept 1832 in volume 1). Volume 1 is additionally stamped This book is part of the old Grimke and Drayton Library at South Bay House, So Ca which was sent over to T Drayton Grimke of Colborne Hall, Lancashire, England in the Autumn of 1889. An armorial bookplate in the name of Drayton Grimke Drayton stamped Clifford Manor Gloucestershire is affixed to the front pastedown of volume 1 indicating that he volumes were then passed on to the collection of Clifford Manor, Gloucestershire, which is recorded as one of Grimke-Drayton's properties. By this time Theodore was known as Theodore Drayton Grimke-Drayton having added the extra Drayton to his name by deed-poll in the hopes of securing a further inheritance from America.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Both volumes are in fair condition. A half binding of blue cloth over plain card boards is well worn and bumped to corners. Brown calf spines lettered in gilt are chipped, cracking and suffering loss to top and tails. Hinges are tender to both volumes revealing bindings but holding well. Text blocks are solid, quite heavily age toned and spotted throughout particularly to early leaves. Both volumes inscribed by hand to front free endpapers. Volume 1 is additionally stamped as part of the Grimke and Drayton Library and also displays a bookplate to front pastedown. Volume 1, 306 pp. Leaves 1 -6 missing, leaf 7/8 missing top half as noted on collation. Volume 2, 321 pp.
