Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Source: Uncle Tom’s Cabin Rare PS2954 .U5 1853 v.1

Staff Person: Ralph Scott

Description: Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), probably the preeminent American female abolitionist, is best known to most readers for her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Originally published in serial form in the newspaper the National Era, in June of 1851, it was released in book form in an edition of around 5,000 copies. The book considered the most sold book in the 1850s after the Bible, served to inflame both pro-slavery and anti-slavery advocates. The copy shown here open to the title page, is the first edition, first state of the book, and is an ex-libris of Efrem Zimbalist, Sr. Additional items from an exhibit entitled “Female Abolitionists: Leading the Way” can be seen in the Joyner Library lobby area from July 1, 2018 to October 1, 2018.