The Pen and the Prairie: A Shared Legacy
Signed by Elizabeth Custer, Inscribed by John Burroughs: A Breathtaking Union of Two American Icons.
Step into a world where history and literature intertwine with this singular, breathtaking copy of John Burroughs's masterpiece, Wake-Robin. More than just a book, this is a tangible link to the lives of two extraordinary figures: Elizabeth B. Custer, the indomitable author and widow of General George A. Custer, and John Burroughs, the celebrated naturalist and literary giant.
This very good copy of the 1899 Houghton Mifflin printing bears the unmistakable mark of its storied past. The publishers' brown cloth, gilt stamped with the author’s facsimile signature, holds a secret within its pages that elevates it from a beautiful edition to an irreplaceable artifact.
A Personal Treasure from Mrs. Custer's Library
On the front free end page, in her own hand, is the elegant ink signature: "Elizabeth B. Custer." This is not merely a name, but a declaration of ownership, a personal touch that connects you directly to the woman who chronicled the life of her famous husband and captivated a nation with her tales of the American West. Her numbered library label, #181, remains affixed to the front pastedown, a quiet testament to her meticulously curated collection.
The Soul of a Poet in His Own Hand
But the true magic lies on the book's front free flyleaf, where a remarkable, full-page autograph poem awaits. Penned by John Burroughs himself on April 7, 1916, this inscription is an intimate, heartfelt gift to Custer. Burroughs has transcribed five stanzas from his beloved poem, "Waiting," beginning with the serene and timeless lines:
"Serene, I fold my hands & wait,
Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more 'gainst time or fate,
For lo! my own shall come to me."
This is not a simple signature; it is an act of creation, a moment frozen in time where the poet's own thoughts flowed from his pen onto the page. To hold this book is to hold a piece of Burrough's soul.
Condition and Provenance
In near fine condition, this copy shows only minor signs of its 125-year journey: slight softening and fraying to the spine tips with gently bumped bottom corners. The top edge retains its brilliant gilt, and the interior shows spotting to a few pages and toning to the end pages.
Why This Book is a Must-Have
This is an unparalleled opportunity for the discerning collector. It is a one-of-a-kind item that bridges the worlds of military history, American literature, and naturalism. The combination of Elizabeth Custer’s personal signature and John Burroughs’s extensive, handwritten poem makes this a piece of living history—a conversation between two giants on the pages of a single, beautiful book.
Do not wait for wind or tide; this treasure will not be here long. Secure your own piece of American history today.: A Breathtaking Union of Two American Icons