Description

Description: The peace activist Kate Devereux Blake sent her rendering of “The Star-Spangled Banner” as an apology for keeping the letter’s recipient waiting. She wrote her version of the anthem in 1914, at the outbreak of WWI, depicting the horrors of war in order to promote disarmament and global peace. (The autograph quotation (poem) signed is accompanied by an autograph note signed):

“Oh, say can you see, you who glory in war
All the wounded and dead of the red battle’s reaping?
Can you listen unmoved to their agonized groans,
Hear the children who starve, and the pale widows weeping?
Henceforth let us swear
Bombs shall not burst in air
Nor war’s desolation wreck all that is fair.
But the Star Spangled Banner by workers unfurled
Shall give hope to the nations and peace to the world.”

The poem is handwritten on a 10” x 8 ½” sheet of ivory paper. The short note (3 ½” x 8 ½”) has been mounted on the bottom blank space. Has two full signatures. Item #A02095

Kate Devereux Blake (1858-1950) was an educator, writer, women’s rights and peace activist, and the chair of International League of Peace and Freedom. She was the principal of Public School 6, or The Lillie D. Blake School, in New York City for 34 years.

Condition: Mailing foldline, traces of mounting tape on verso. In very good condition.