The year 1850 was one of the most important in the years leading up to the Civil War. The slavery-abolition debate was tearing the nation apart, and secession was in the air. A great compromise was worked out in the senate, offering gifts to both sides. Ultimately, neither was happy, and the Compromise of 1850 only exacerbated the situation. Most associated with the Great Compromise was the Great Compromiser himself, Senator Henry Clay. Item 41 is, The Speech of Henry Clay, on taking up his compromise resolutions on the subject of slavery. €65 (US $80). Also from 1850 is the Speech upon the subject of slavery; delivered in the United States Senate...by Daniel Webster. Webster, like Clay, was one of the great orators of the senate, but his argument that holding the union together was more important than ending slavery was not universally well-received in the North, though Webster hailed from Massachusetts. Item 199. €75 (US $93).

It's time to turn to some lighter subject matter. Item 27 is A voyage in the 'Sunbeam' our home on the ocean for eleven months, by Annie Brassey. Mrs. Brassey was a fortunate woman who lived a good life, traveling where she pleased and doing other things that wealthy people did at the time this book was published: 1879. Jane Robinson, in her book "Wayward Women: A Guide to Women Travelers" states of Mrs. Brassey, "She was rich, carefree, idyllically happy with a handsome, distinguished husband and bonny children, and spent her life enjoying genial adventures at sea..." We should all live the life of Annie Brassey. Item 27. €150 (US $186).

Ida Pfeiffer was a more serious woman traveler, who wanted to see the world and was not about to be dissuaded by the fact that she was a woman living in the first half of the 19th century. Item 138 is an 1854 fourth edition of her popular book, A woman's journey round the world, from Vienna to Brazil, Chili, Tahiti, China, Hindostan, Persia, and Asia Minor. Her journey took over two years to complete. €150 (US $186).

You may look for Bestebreurtje's latest catalogue on their website, www.gertjanbestebreurtje.com, or give them a call at 31 (0)347-322548.