This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2025
[POLITICAL VIOLENCE]. [PERCIVAL, Spencer (1762-1812), association]. GISBORNE, Rev. Thomas (1758-1846). Sermons… London: A. Strahan for T. Cadell, 1802. 8vo. 453, [1, blank], [1, ads], [1, blank] pp. Bound in contemporary full green straight-grain morocco, boards ruled in gilt, spine ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, gilt board edges, gilt turn-ins, all edges gilt (binding worn, scuffed, spine toned, text a bit toned with occasional minor thumbsoiling). Very good. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED “FROM THE AUTHOR" ON THE HALF-TITLE; ABOVE THIS INSCRIPTION IS THE OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SPENCER PERCIVAL – THE ONLY PRIME MINISTER TO BE ASSASSINATED WHILE IN OFFICE. Percival was Prime Minister from 1809-1812 and was the only Solicitor-General to become Prime Minister. Percival was assassinated by John Bellingham, a merchant who had been imprisoned in Russia, and believed he deserved compensation from the British government – his petitions had been rejected, and so he turned to murder. Gisborne was a prominent figure in the Clapham Sect, a popular evangelist group that strongly opposed the slave trade. Percival was also an abolitionist, and it is easy to see why Gisborne gave him this book. As one would expect, items signed by Percival are quite rare.