STAR SPANGLED BANNER – National Intelligencer. Washington: Gales & Seaton, 27 September 1814. Vol. XV, No. 2187.

An early printing of "The Star Spangled Banner." The text of Francis Scott Key’s verses appears beneath the title, "The Defence of Fort M'Henry" with some details of the circumstances surrounding its composition: "The annexed song was composed under the following circumstances – A gentleman had left Baltimore, in a flag of Truce for the purpose of getting released from a British fleet a friend of his, who had been captured at Marlborough. He went as far as the mouth of the Patuxent, and was not permitted to return lest the intended attack on Baltimore should be disclosed. He was therefore brought up the bay to the mouth of the Patapsco, where the flag vessel was kept under the guns of a frigate, and he was compelled to witness the bombardment of Fort McHenry, which the Admiral had boasted that he would carry in a few hours, and that the city must fall. He watched the flag at the Fort through the whole day with an anxiety that can be better felt than described, until the night prevented him from seeing it. In the night he watched the Bomb-Shells, at an early dawn his eye was again greeted by the proudly-waving flag of his country." The verses were set to the melody of the popular British tune, "Anacreon in Heaven". Although Key's identity as the author was first observed when the song appeared in the Frederick-Town Herald on 24 September, this had not been made known to the publishers of the Intelligencer. Following the fourth stanza, the editors added a comment: "Whoever is the author of those lines they do equal honor to his principles and his talents." (Filby & Howard, p.60). Published seven days after its first appearance in the Baltimore Patriot on 20 September 1814.

Four pages, bifolium, 522 x 320mm (small portion excised from left hand column of page one, toned at left hand margin).