This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2018
This lot offers an unusual piece of American history: the hand-written lyrics to the song “America,” which were signed and dated by the author, Samuel F. Smith. Smith, who was both Oct. 21, 1808 and died on Nov. 16, 1895, was a Baptist minister from Boston who often provided fans and friends with handwritten copies of his song, which is better known today as “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” The featured sheet measures 4.25” by 6.5” and is on thick paper stock that shows light toning but is in otherwise Excellent to Mint condition. The lyrics as well as the signature (“S.F. Smith”) were scripted in black ink and would grade a Mint 9 in our book. Just below his signature, Smith added the following notations: “Written in 1832” and “March 25, 1892.” The first date denotes the year he originally wrote the song, while the later date denotes the year in which the offered handwritten lyrics were written. The song was first performed in public by Boston schoolchildren as part of the City’s 1831 Fourth of July celebration. However, its first publication occurred in 1832, which is why Smith refers to that date as its year of origin. To create the long-lasting song, Smith combined his own lyrics with the British tune “God Save the King.”
Includes LOA from JSA and full LOA from PSA/DNA.