Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - November - 2005 Issue
Intriguing And Unusual Americana From David Lesser
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Charles Sumner is one of those mostly forgotten, out-of-favor Civil War era politicians. He was one of the Radical Republicans who sought to impose rules on the South that would have prevented the century of overt discrimination and worse that the freed slaves and their descendants would endure. Sumner was already an advocate of the rights of Blacks long before this era. In fact, he was a leader in the movement to desegregate Boston schools while most others were still seeking compromises with slavery. Item 106 is a copy of his 1849 argument before the Massachusetts Supreme Court, Equality Before the Law; Unconstitutionality of Separate Colored Schools in Massachusetts. In arguments that would predict Brown vs. Board of Education, the national case which desegregated schools over a century later, Sumner argues that segregated schools are a badge of caste, and thereby violate Massachusetts' constitutional "free and equal" requirement. While the first printing of Sumner's argument came in 1849, the second did not come until 1870. This is a second printing, the preface noting it was reprinted at this time as the issue was now national in scope. Item 106. $500.
For those who love a good crime story, item 111 is The Life, Trial, Condemnation, Dying Address of the Three Thayers!! Who Were Executed for the Murder of John Love, at Buffalo, N.Y. June 17, 1825. The three Thayers were the sons of Israel Thayer, brothers Nelson, 25, Israel, Jr., 23, and Isaac, 21. Israel and his sons had befriended John Love, an itinerant peddler who made a healthy living and frequently loaned money to those who were short. Love stayed at the Thayers' home in Buffalo, but one day disappeared. Neighbors didn't particularly notice that, but they did notice that the Thayers suddenly had more money to spend, were seen riding Love's horse, and attempted to collect some of their benefactor's debts. They put two and two together, and eventually found Love's body in a shallow grave behind Junior's house. It was all over for the three Thayers. While their father was cleared of all charges, it took the jury just 30 minutes to convict the brothers and sentence them to death. They were simultaneously hung in Niagara Square on June 7, 1825, before a crowd estimated at over 10,000. Priced at $500.
You may find Lesser Antiquarian Books online at www.lesserbooks.com or reach them by phone at 203-389-8111.
