The Lawbook Exchange will be exhibiting at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair. The show will be held at the Park Avenue Armory and continues until May 3. Here is a look at a few of the items they will be displaying, but there are many more in this catalogue, and likely others as well. If you can't make it, you can visit them virtually online. This catalogue and more are available there. Here are a few examples of what they have.
All these years later, Clarence Darrow may still be the most famous American trial lawyer ever. His reputation was burnished in the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial. John Scopes was claimed to have taught evolution in a Tennessee school, in violation of state law. He was found guilty, but the defense did not argue against that point. It was satisfied with the verdict as they wanted to raise an appeal on the claim that the law itself was unconstitutional. Darrow also was famous for his defenses in criminal trials, including that of Leopold and Loeb, and others involving union members and anarchists. Clarence Darrow was an author as well, and this was his favorite book – Farmington, published in 1904. It is a fictionalized account of his youth in Ohio. It was not a critical success at the time, but critics have reevaluated it more favorably in the years since. This copy was inscribed by Darrow to his son, Paul. Item 9. Priced at $2,500.
James Rodgers was a working class Irish immigrant hanging around the streets of New York when he made a very bad move. When John Swanton, an upper-class man and his wife walked by, Rodgers elbowed him. Swanton took offense and an argument ensued. It ended when Rodgers stabbed Swanton, who died a short time later. Rodgers was “handsome, charming and gentle-mannered” (except when thrusting a knife into someone), eliciting sympathy from the public. Rodgers claimed to have no memory of the incident, blaming it on a lapse of memory caused by intoxication and encouragement from his companions. He even expressed remorse. It didn't help. Instead of hanging around the streets, Rodgers ended up hanging from the end of a rope. The Lamentation of James Rodgers is a printed ballad, the message being to stay away from alcohol and bad companions. Item 22. Published in 1858. $1,500.
Jonathan Walker was captain of a fishing boat and worked for the railroad. He came from Massachusetts but moved to Florida for work. What Walker was noted for was not his line of work, but rather for being an ardent abolitionist. He attempted to help seven slaves escape slavery by taking them by boat to the Bahamas where slavery had been outlawed. Unfortunately, the boat was captured and Walker and the slaves were returned to Florida. Walker was convicted of aiding fugitive slaves. He was placed in a pillory for several days, his hand branded with the letters “SS,” for slave stealer. He was imprisoned for 11 months until abolitionists paid off his fine. Item 30 is a copy of Walker's book, Trial and Imprisonment of Jonathan Walker, at Pensacola, Florida, for Aiding Slaves to Escape from Bondage, published in 1845. Walker lived until 1878, enabling him to see slavery abolished. Item 30. $950.
Next up we have a case of playing footsie with the footman, The Trial of Fanny Wilmot, Wife of John Wilmot, Esq. M.P. for Adultery with a Footman. John Wilmot was first elected to Parliament in 1776. He opposed the British effort during the American Revolution, not because of support for the revolutionaries but because he didn't want England involved in a war. Wilmot later became closely involved in providing assistance to the defeated loyalists. He was still in Parliament in 1792 when his wife was tried for adultery. It must have been terribly embarrassing. Parliament came to his aid, passing “An act to dissolve the Marriage of John Wilmot Esquire, with Fanny Sainthill his now Wife, and to enable him to marry again...” That he did, in 1793. Wilmot retired in 1804 and wrote a few books before his death in 1815. Item 95. $1,500.
This is a “Wanted” poster. It says, Wanted! No. 1 – Known here as C.J. Wagner, Age About 30, 5 Feet 6 1-2 Inches Tall; Well Dressed; Weight About 175 Pounds. Claims to be an Oculist and Carries a Case with Eye Glasses for Test Purposes. No. 2 – Known Here as Dr. A.H. Luther, Age About 35; Height About 5 Feet 9 1-2 Inches; Neat Dresser; Weight About 180 Pounds. Claims to be an Eye Specialist. These Two Parties are Traveling in a Big Buick Automobile, New, With Bumper on Front and Back. Perhaps having bumpers on the front and back were a luxury in 1921. According to the poster, they had been traveling the county offering eye exams at ranches. I'm not sure how they did this, but it says they “performed a fake operation on an old lady's eye.” They charged her $275, which was almost enough to get a Model T in 1921, though not enough for a new Buick. The poster is signed in type by Madera County, California, Sheriff John H. Barnett. He says, “These two are the worst kind of fakirs and should be apprehended.” My guess is Sheriff Barnett meant they were fakers, not Eastern holy men. Item 8. $350.
The Lawbook Exchange may be reached at 732-382-1800 or law@lawbookexchange.com. Their website is www.lawbookexchange.com.
