J. Lewis Diman Presentation Copy
A large-paper 1859 second-edition copy, its leaves mounted within gilt borders in a large album, presented to J. Lewis Diman by the Stone Church Sabbath School, Fall River, in 1859.
Binding Description
Large-paper construction: the catalog records all leaves except the members’ catalog as cut out and mounted within gilt borders on the rectos of large album leaves. Later half binding: worn black cloth spine and corners, gray-green cloth sides; spine hand-lettered in white “Rosetta Stone Inscription” and “PJ1531 =R3 1859a.” The original publisher’s binding is not present.
Presentation / Association
“J. Lewis Diman, / presented by the Sabbath School / at the Christmas Festival of the / Stone Church, Fall River, / 1859.” — Bookplate: LIBRARY OF / BROWN UNIVERSITY / [Brown arms: sun in clouds over shield with cross and four open books; motto ribbon] IN DEO SPERAMUS / FROM THE LIBRARY OF / J. LEWIS DIMAN / PROFESSOR OF HISTORY / 1864-1881 / GIFT OF / MISS LOUISE DIMAN / 1953
Provenance Chain
Sabbath School of the Stone Church, Fall River → J. Lewis Diman — gift, Christmas Festival, 1859 → Miss Louise Diman — gift, 1953 → Brown University — John Hay Library
Provenance Narrative
J. Lewis Diman received it from the Stone Church Sabbath School, Fall River, in 1859; he was later Brown’s Professor of History, 1864–1881. Miss Louise Diman gave it to Brown in 1953.
Copy Notes
Large-paper copy. The mounted title bears red SECOND EDITION.
People in This Copy
Sources and Documentation
Seven John Hay Library copy photographs, October 2026; Brown University Library catalog record. Catalog record ↗
Visual Record
Courtesy of the John Hay Library, Brown University.
