Celebrating the Bible in Black History

Uncle Tom's Cabin, First Edition

By: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Collection ID

PBK.006067.1-.2

Type

Printed Book

Date

1852

Geography

United States

Language

English

Medium

Printed on Paper

Dimensions

Volumes approximately 7.7 × 5.3 × 1.2 in. (19.5 × 13.5 × 3 cm)

Exhibit Location

Not on View

This is a first edition of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s bestselling novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Originally published as a series of installments in the abolitionist newspaper The National Era, the book sold more than 300,000 copies in the United States during its first year in print—second only to the Bible in sales. Stowe drew upon biblical themes and imagery throughout her narrative to condemn slavery as a moral atrocity. It was eventually read by millions around the world, going through dozens of editions in multiple languages. This copy is a first-edition print bound in two volumes.

Printed in 1852 by John P. Jewett & Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Acquired by S. Edgerton, unknown location.[1] Acquired by 2019 by Ted Steinbock, private collector, Louisville, Kentucky; Privately purchased in 2020 by Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] Edgerton’s signature appears on the front endpaper of volume two.

Questions about our Collections?

Visit Contact Us Page

(866) 430-MOTB

To acquire permission to use this image, please visit our Rights and Reproduction page .

© Museum of the Bible 2024
Designed by PlainJoe