Yeoman's in the Fork Blog

In 1882, Sam Watkins, a noted Confederate soldier during the Civil War, published his memoir 'Company Aytch: Or, a Side Show of the Big Show.' This book is often named as one of the best primary sources for information on the common soldier's civil war experience. The first edition of this classic, published by the Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, consisted of only 2000 copies. The original first edition (the only edition printed in 1882) was printed and bound in brown cloth bearing an elegantly embossed gold title and seal on the cover. The spine bears a similarly embossed gold "H" (in old english script) at the head.

I am here today to tell you that I believe that we have DISCOVERED a variant issue of this civil war classic!!! We now own an amazing copy of the first edition, bearing the correct date, publisher etc... THAT IS BOUND IN BLUE CLOTH. This is the not the blue-green second printing that is dated 1900. This is the REAL DEAL in a variant cloth cover. After speaking with several of our peers in the industry (but especially Larry Wandling at Old South Books), I am convinced that this book is a true rarity and is the most incredible copy of this classic available anywhere...

Check out the photos folks and be sure to compare to the brown cloth issue that we blogged about last year. HERE'S TO A HAPPY HUNT!!

Sam Watkins BIO on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_R._Watkins


Mike Cotter, Director of Operations