LOT X 4 ORIGINAL Chautauqua (NY) Literary and Scientific Circle 1880's Yearly Reports; [EARLY WOMEN'S RIGHTS INTEREST]

(Ephemera) VINCENT, J.H.; MILLER, Lewis; et al.

New York: Chautauqua Press, 1883-89. First Edition. Original wraps. 3 1/4 X 5 Inches. Very Good. Item #8583

"The most American thing in America." - President Theodore Roosevelt on Chautauquas

Four early course offering and yearly updates from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle of Chautauqua Lake, New York. The original Chautauqua meetings were the brainchild of John Heyl Vincent, a Methodist minister, and Lewis Miller, a businessman, who imagined a place where women and men could come to exchange ideas and learn of cultural advancements around the world. Founded in 1878, these four early course offerings date from 1883 to 1889. The 1885 issue is accompanied by an original illustrated postcard from the organization.

The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle was an important step in the advancement of women in American society. Although only a baby step, the courses offered and the idea behind the movement was in part to open up education to women, especially rural women in America. With a correspondence learning platform, Chautauqua's brought education into the home, which we know is the domain of the woman... I believe the University of Phoenix and the TED Talks owe a royalty to the CLSC! [NOTE: 2 of these have are unrepresented on OCLC and a population of only SIX of the other two - see notes on reverse. VERY SCARCE IN COMMERCE.]

Some light wear to spines and edges.

Price: $500.00