This is an autograph book owned by a young woman named Nettie Farrar and contains a variety of autographs and inscriptions dating from the mid-1860s to the mid-1870s. Most are from friends in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Farrar's likely hometown. Quite a few are from the Hampton Beach Hotel in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, where it appears Farrar vacationed in August 1872.

Horace Greeley's autograph, dated 1872, appears in the middle of the book. Greeley announced his candidacy for the presidency in Hampton on August 24, 1872, so it's possible that Farrar was at Hampton Beach when Greeley announced and acquired the signature then. A second signature appears on the same page but isn't legible.

The first signature in the book identifies the presenter as Farrar's mother, R.R. Farrar. The second signature, dated December 1866, is that of J. Hamilton Farrar of Jamaica Plain, relationship unknown.

Other signatures in this book include Carrie S. Lincoln of Charleston, South Carolina, who the New England branch of the Freedman's Union Commission listed in 1868 as a teacher at the Shaw Memorial School; Samuel Weisberger, who identifies himself as belonging to the 18th U.S. Infantry; quite a few from Jamaica Plain; others from towns in northeastern Massachusetts/southwestern New Hampshire (Exeter, Seabrook, Lowell, Haverhill), and four acquired on the S.S. Montana in December 1874 and January 1875.

Most signatures have simple greetings; a few have personal inscriptions; a few have Bible quotes; a handful are longer and provide some detail on the activities of the signer and Farrar.

The book itself, titled "Album of the Heart," is 7" x 8.5", bound in stamped maroon leather with gilt decoration, edges of text block gilt, and contains 80 pages colored blue, yellow, white, green, and pink. The title page includes an engraving of a young woman in profile; opposite is a frontispiece engraving of a church and graveyard (the protective tissue is missing). A second engraving a few page further in, titled "The Pet Bird," shows a young girl in despair pursuing a cat with a bird in its mouth.

Condition is good: Clean contents, most signatures crisp and readable (a few have faded), plates lightly foxed, piece torn from a corner of the front free end paper, rear free end paper mostly gone, binding shaken, hinges weak, spine dried and deteriorating, other cover wear as shown in the photos.

All photos are of the actual item for sale unless otherwise noted.

I don't respond to offers or requests for discounts. Buy It Now prices are firm. I will not add a Buy It Now option to an auction.

When I ship: Barring extenuating circumstances, I ship no later than the next business day. I am not able to honor requests to hold purchases for later shipment. If you absolutely, positively need me to delay shipping, please contact me before you bid or buy, and I will try to find a way to accommodate you.

Combined shipping (Important): If you wish to combine multiple purchases into a single shipment, please use the Add to Cart button and not the Buy It Now button. If you pay for several items separately with the Buy It Now button, they will be handled as separate purchases and will be shipped separately.

International buyers:The buyer is responsible for all customs fees, duties, and import taxes. I will not honor requests to falsify customs forms. Shipping rates are automatically calculated by USPS and are the lowest available.

How I Pack: Most books are packed in boxes with appropriate packing material. Thin volumes and ephemera are mailed in envelopes with stiffeners. Records are mailed in industry-standard cardboard mailers. All items are packed to withstand normal abuse during transportation.