This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2022
[BEECHER, Henry Ward (1813-1887)]. ABBOTT, Austin (1831-1896). Official Report of the Trial of Henry Ward Beecher. New York: George W. Smith, 1875. 2 volumes, 8vo. Illustrated. Publisher’s full green cloth, front boards decoratively stamped in black, rear boards stamped in blind, spines stamped in black and gilt, brown coated endleaves (spines toned and worn, bindings worn and soiled, hinges cracked, sticker removal from both fps, bookplate and bookseller’s ticket on fp of volume II, second blank of volume II is missing upper corner). FIRST EDITION. FIRST BLANK OF VOLUME I IS INSCRIBED BY THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE TRIAL, JOSEPH NEILSON (1813-1888) “Judge Nelson With Compliments of his kinsman Judge Neilson”). Volume II has ownership signatures of the recipient (“R. R. Nelson”) on the ffep and the title-page. Prominent reformer and abolitionist Beecher was on trial for adultery, being sued by his former friend, Theodore Tilton for allegedly having an affair with Tilton’s wife, Elizabeth. The trial resulted in a hung jury and was one of the most famous trials of its day.