The second of Douglass' three autobiographies, preceded by the 1845 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. In it he expands on his transition from bondage to liberty. The introduction was authored by James McCune Smith, an abolitionist, author, and the first African American to receive a medical degree. Douglass referred to him as the "foremost black influence" in his life. References: Sabin 20714.

Octavo, xxxi, [33]-464 pages. In Good minus condition. Bound in publisher's brown cloth with blind stamping to boards and gilt titling to spine. Head and tail of spine chipped, upper third of spine partially loose, minor exterior worming, one stripe to front board, two to rear board. Webbing visible at both gutters, some interior worming, most pronounced along front gutter, one small instance of worming from frontispiece through vii, and p. 463 through rear pastedown. Three engraved plates, including the engraved frontispiece. Bookplate of James P. Marsh on front pastedown, obscuring two other bookplates. Ink ownership inscription to title page. JR Consignment. Shelved in Case 1.