antedating (?) "ivory tower" (1894)

[Stephen Goranson]

Of course the collocation exists before 1894. And in poetry meaning an
architectural tower, rather than a neck (see Dough Wilson in the archives).
In any case the following seems at least close to the OED's "A condition of
seclusion or separation from the world; in general, protection or shelter from
the harsh realities of life," for which, in English, they start with 1911.

Fayetteville Observer, (Fayetteville, NC) Thursday, June 28, 1894; Issue 584;
page 1, col E
     A Literary Philosopher Category: News [19th C US N]
....There is a vulgarity that hangs about the author who seeks the crowd. Let
the crowd seek you; let them clamor at the posteru [?postern with last letter
inverted?] of your ivory tower....

Stephen Goranson
http://www.duke.edu/~goranson

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