Star-Spangled Banner | The first periodical printing of The Star-SpangledBanner

Star-Spangled Banner

[Francis Scott Key.] “Defence of Fort M’Henry … Tune—Anacreon in Heaven,” in "The Analectic Magazine, containing Selection of Such Articles as are Most Valuable, Curious, or Entertaining,"  Vol. IV, No. 23, for November 1814. Philadelphia: Published and Sold by Moses Thomas, 1814

8vo (213 x 127 mm). Engraved and letterpress titles, 5 engraved plates; occasional scattered spotting, plates spotted and offset to text. Contemporary full calf, smooth spine ruled gilt, red and black lettering and numbering pieces; skillfully rebacked.

First magazine printing of The Star-Spangled Banner, found on page 433 with this note: "These lines have been already published in several of our newspapers; they may still, however, be new to many of our readers. Besides, we think that their merit entitles them to preservation in some more permanent form than the columns of a daily paper." The tune was adapted from a ballad written about 1770 by English composer John Stafford Smith. The song was officially proclaimed the National Anthem of the United States in 1931.

PROVENANCE:

Estelle Doheny (morocco ticket on front pastedown and pencil inscription "Gift of Edmund Rodman" on front free endpaper)