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Exceptionally Rare Imprint on the Riots at Alton, Illinois,

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Exceptionally Rare Imprint on the Riots at Alton, Illinois,
Exceptionally Rare Imprint on the Riots at Alton, Illinois,<p>Beecher, Edward. "Narrative of Riots at Alton: in Connection with the Death of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy." 1838, Alton: George Holton. 12mo, cloth with paper label on spine, 160pp. Lovejoy was the publisher of the anti-slavery journal "Observer." Because of repeated threats he moved his press from St. Louis to Alton, IL in 1836. His press was destroyed three times, but each time he obtained another and continued publishing the journal. As he was setting up another press in Nov. 1837, he tried to stop the mob threatening his operation again when he was shot. Beecher put Lovejoy in the press as the first martyr for freedom of speech and the press, and others extended that to a shot fired against slavery, as many imprints of the time on stationery, envelopes, etc. demonstrate. [Howes B307]<p>Front endpaper has separated from board, but present. Moderate to heavy foxing throughout, with toning of first 1/3 of book. Some dampstains to cloth cover and partial separation of front hinge. Overall, binding is still tight.