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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1491

Pike, Albert (1809-1891). Confederate military officer, writer, poet, attorney. One of very few Confederate officers buried in Washington, D.C. AQS. 8vo. October 1, 1860. Little Rock, Arkansas. Nine lines from his poem To Ambition, in his own hand.

"For what is fame, that man should pour
His life-blood for it, drop by drop;
And for a name, when life is o'er
Drain to the dregs misfortune's cup?
Fame! 'tis the wrecker's light, that lures
The luckless wanderer of the deep;
To where, upon disastrous shores,
Ruin and wreck their vigils keep…

Signed "Albert Pike."

Sold for
$130