In 1823, the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” was published anonymously, but in 1837 Clement Clarke Moore (1779–1863) claimed authorship. More commonly called “The Night before Christmas,” it was known throughout the country within a decade of its first appearance and is considered one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time. The Bible pictured here is from 1860 and was signed by Clement C. Moore, the accredited author of this popular poem. Moore was a professor of Oriental and Greek Literature, and Divinity and Biblical Learning at the General Theological Seminary in New York City until 1850.
Provenance
Printed in 1860 by William Collins, Glasgow, Scotland. Acquired by Clement C. Moore (1779–1863), Newport, Rhode Island.[1] Acquired in 1862 by Mary E. Stebbing.[2] Acquired before 2010 by Christian Heritage Museum, Hagerstown, Maryland; Privately purchased in 2010 by Green Collection, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, under the curatorial care of Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.
Notes: [1] Moore’s signature appears on the front pastedown without a date. [2] Signature and date on front endpapers reads, “Mary E. Stebbing, Sept 1st, 1862. An unknown friend.”