a dictionary of quotations from english and american poets
inscribed first edition, 1883. rare presentation copy.
"to miss florentine h. hayden
sept, 1883
a.l.w."
florentine hayden was anna ward's closest friend and was, in all likelihood, ward's lover and life partner. in 1886 they visited labrador in newfoundland and collaborated on an ethnography together. in 1887 they began living together in waterbury connecticut, "thus beginning an inseparable friendship covering a long period of happy years." they cohabitated until 1933 when ward died and hayden self-published a 100 page book honoring ward's life work.
this first edition of this work does not site ward as editor in any part of the book. she is not mentioned on the title or copyright page. it does not credit ward as being the writer of the "editor's preface." the first british edition corrects this and credits ward's contributions.
this very personal copy has ward add herself: "edited by anna l. ward" and sign "anna l. ward" back into each proper place respectively.
it's notable that in ward's life tribute compiled by hayden, one of her friends letters to hayden mentions: "how modest about the fine work she had done. i was quite ignorant that miss ward was the compiler of the very popular 'ward's dictionary of quotations,' and the 'hoyt-ward cyclopedia of quotations,' so familiar to us. "
ward edited and compiled: "a dictionary of quotations from the poets,'' (1883) ; "surf and wave," (1883) ; "quotations from american authors,'' (in familiar quotations), (1884) ; "a dictionary of quotations in prose," (1889); "waterbury illustrated," (1889).
new york: thomas crowell & co. 6 x 8 inches. [iix], 761 pages, [vi]. hardcover. bound in original publisher's brown cloth binding with gilt lettering. book condition: hinges cracked. notable shelf-wear to spine and corners. booksellers prices in pencil. very good--.
further reading:
hayden, florentine h. a tribute dedicated to anna lydia ward. 1934.
faderman, lillian. odd girls and twilight lovers. editorial: new york, columbia university press, 1991.
. Item #2410
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