Thomas Holley Chivers, 1837

CHIVERS, T[homas] H[olley] (1809-1858). Nacoochee; or, The Beautiful Star, with Other Poems. New York: W.E. Dean, 1837.

First edition of the author’s first major collection. The title poem celebrates the Cherokee legend of Sautee and Nacoochee. Thomas Holley Chivers was a friend and literary rival of Edgar Allan Poe who once described Chivers as, “one of the best and one of the worst poets in America” elaborating that, “Even his worst nonsense […] has an indefinite charm of sentiment and melody.” (Thomas & Jackson, 353). See Dwight Thomas and David K. Jackson’s The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe, 1809-1849 (1987). BAL 3227.

Octavo (183 x 110mm). (Minor foxing). Original brown cloth (head and tail caps worn). Provenance: F.A. Sondley, 1857-1931 (inscription, gifted to;) – Sondley Reference Library in Asheville's Pack Memorial Library (bookplate).