Bidspirit 拍卖 | Elihu Burritt – “The Learned

Elihu Burritt – “The Learned Blacksmith” and American Peace Activist – Autograph Quotation Signed on “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” Stationery – New Britain, Connecticut, 17 November 1855 - An Autograph Quotation Signed by Elihu Burritt (1810–1879), the celebrated American writer, linguist, reformer and international peace activist popularly known as “The Learned Blacksmith.” The upper portion of the sheet features a symbolic printed image of a dove of peace flying above the globe, accompanied by the Biblical phrase: “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS.” The imagery is particularly appropriate to Burritt, one of the prominent nineteenth-century American advocates of international peace and fraternity. Beneath the illustration, Burritt has written two Latin maxims in his own hand: “Per angusta ad augusta” – approximately, “Through difficulties to greatness / to lofty things.” and “Per ardua ad astra” – “Through adversity to the stars.” Below the quotations Burritt has written and signed: “Elihu Burritt New Britain, Conn. Nov. 17 1855.” The combination of these maxims concerning achievement through adversity with the printed “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” heading gives the sheet a particularly symbolic character closely reflecting Burritt's personal philosophy and public career. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Burritt was apprenticed as a blacksmith while pursuing an extraordinary programme of self-education in ancient and modern languages. His achievements as a self-taught linguist earned him the celebrated sobriquet “The Learned Blacksmith.” He subsequently became a writer, journalist, lecturer and internationally active reformer. Burritt was an abolitionist and a prominent advocate of international peace, arbitration between nations and international fraternity. He was also a leading campaigner for Ocean Penny Postage, advocating inexpensive international and transatlantic postal communication, while supporting Temperance and numerous other humanitarian causes. A particularly evocative autograph item in which the pacifist imagery of the stationery, Burritt's chosen quotations, his autograph, birthplace and date combine directly with the ideals for which he became historically known.