THE BARCLAYS OF BOSTON

1854. Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1854. Original blind-stamped olive-green cloth.

First (only?) Edition of this 419-page novel of Boston high society, written by a major member of that group. This a book about Boston's most prominent family, "the Barclays" (for which, read "the Otises") -- their rise to power, and how they shaped the City of Boston. Eliza was the wife of HGO Jr, not to be confused with her husband's mother (née Sally Foster), who also was Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis. HGO Jr died suddenly "of apoplexy" in 1827, at age 34, so by the year this book was published, 58-year-old Eliza had been a widow for 27 years. Eliza Henderson Boardman Otis, or "Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis," as she was known, was an heiress, socialite, and patriotic supporter of many civic ventures. Her husband, Harrison Gray Otis, Jr. (1792-1827), was the son of a Boston mayor and died soon after their marriage. Although her name is little known today, Mrs. Otis was one of the most popular society figures of the nineteenth century. At the outset of the war in 1861, she was invited to oversee Boston's City Donation Room to collect goods and money for Union soldiers and their families [Geni]. Late in life she also concentrated her efforts upon the securing of George Washington's home at Mount Vernon as a historic treasure. This volume, still in the original cloth, is in near-fine condition (very little wear, but with some discoloration of the cloth, as is typical for olive-green). Wright II 1828. Provenance: This copy is inscribed calligraphically by the author, "P P Pope Esq | with the kind regards of | Mrs Harrison Gray Otis | [flourish]". She additionally wrote the recipient's name at the top of the title page. We have not been able to determine who P.P. Pope was.