Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - February - 2009 Issue
Inexpensive Americana from David Lesser Antiquarian Books
Item 21 is An Account of the Boston Asylum for Indigent Boys, a report published in 1831. It describes how this charitable organization cares for orphaned boys, and lists its officers and supporters. Among the officers was famed writer and adventurer Francis Parkman; among the supporters was George Brinley, probably the greatest collector of printed Americana in the 19th century. $50.
Speaking of Mr. Parkman, his uncle George was a principal in a gruesome murder case in 1850. Dr. George Parkman grew up in a wealthy Boston family. He went to medical school and received his medical degree, but spent his time crusading for more humane mental institutions, and made his living collecting rents off his property. Parkman was quite frugal for someone of his means, but was generally considered a nice man. Likewise, Dr. John Webster came from a highly respected and wealthy Boston family, obtained his medical degree, but then chose to become a chemistry professor and lecturer at Harvard. Webster did not receive much family wealth, and tended to live beyond his means, but he too was considered a decent man by most who knew him. Money would bring these two gentlemen of many similarities together. Webster needed it; Parkman had it. Webster borrowed $400 from Parkman, which he secured with a cabinet of minerals he owned. Still short of money, Webster next borrowed money from another gentleman, securing it with the same cabinet of minerals. Parkman was not happy. Webster arranged a meeting with the latter, who was never seen again, at least not in one piece. Parts of a body were later discovered under floorboards in Webster's office, while other parts were apparently burned. Webster maintained they were from medical cadavers, but a dentist and others identified them as belonging to Dr. Parkman. The sensational trial ended with a "guilty" verdict, and Webster's life ended at the end of a rope. Item 122 is a sermon published in 1850 by Edward N. Kirk on this sordid tale: The Murderer. A Discourse Occasioned by the Trial and Execution of John W. Webster. We should note that not all thought Webster guilty, some believing a Harvard janitor who collected a substantial reward may have planted the evidence. $125.
Thomas L. McKenney is well known among book collectors as author of one of the most important works on America's Indians. McKenney, the former head of the Office of Indian Affairs, James Hall, and artist Charles Bird King set out to capture images and information about America's western Indians before white civilization permanently changed their culture. You can expect to pay well into five figures for this book. However, Indians weren't the only subject on McKenney's mind. McKenney maintained that President Madison's Secretary of War, John Armstrong, must bear responsibility for the nation's inability to defend the city of Washington during the War of 1812. Armstrong was forced to resign as a result of the city's fall. Item 6 is a defense of Armstrong by his son, Kosciuszko Armstrong, published in 1847, entitled Examination of Thomas L. McKenney's Reply to the Review of His Narrative. $100.
David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books can be reached at 203-389-8111 or dmlesser@lesserbooks.com. Their website is www.lesserbooks.com.
