1827 Autograph Album from Yale College

New Haven: Published by N. & S.S. Jocelyn, 1827. Hardcover. Very Good. Blank book. Quarter leather and marbled papercovered boards with red morocco label gilt on front board, small label on the front pastedown of Durrie & Peck: New Haven binders, stationers, and blank book manufacturers. Re-spined, edgewear, else a very good or better copy. Handwritten name of J.W. (James Woods) McLane on the label on front board. McLane was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1801. He made a 1000 mile trip on horseback in order to attend Phillips Academy, Andover, graduated from Yale in 1829, and then graduated from the Andover Theological Seminary in 1835. He rose to prominence, and was the first Minister of the Madison Street Presbyterian Church in New York City. In 1852 he was named chairman of the important Commission on the modernization of the authorized version of the King James Bible for the American Bible Society. He also served as director of the Union Theological Seminary. He died in New York in 1864. His daughter, Ann Richards McLane, was a noted American artist. This blank book was kept as an autograph book starting in 1827 while McLane was a student at Yale. He has Signed the book on the second leaf: "James W. McLane. Yale College. July 4th, 1827." Over the next two years McLane collected autograph contributions from 62 of his classmates, or from the two classes immediately preceding his. Although a few of the contributions are mere sentiments, most are relatively substantial contributions consisting of one or more pages of occasionally thoughtful reminiscences or statements of belief or purpose. Many of the contributors were future clergymen, among their member are several of the influential "Illinois Band" of clergyman. Further details available upon request.