LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 October Rare Books & Manuscripts #675  / 

30674

Susan B. Anthony Autograph Letter Signed; 1873

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:650.00 USD Estimated At:900.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Susan B. Anthony Autograph Letter Signed; 1873
<B>Susan B. Anthony Autograph Letter Signed in full, "</B></I><I>Susan B. Anthony".</B></I> One page, 5" x 7.5", Albany, New York, January 27, 1873 to an editor concerning her famous vote for president in 1872 which resulted in her arrest. In an effort to publicize her cause, she begs that her counsel's "<I>argument...in my defense against the U.S. prosecution on charge of 'illegal voting'</B></I>" be published. Appreciating the irony of the situation she observes: "<I>...You see I am asking for the 'respectful consideration' promised by the Repub. Party Platform, - Isn't it rather rough - for Republican U. S. officers to prosecute republican citizens for voting for a republican President?...U.S. District judge Hall denied me Habeus Corpus - an appeal is made to U.S. Circuit Judge Woodruff - if he sustains Hall - shall appeal direct to Supreme Court... I am here trying to convince the U.S. Court that it was not a crime to vote for Grant...</B></I>" Anthony arranged for 3,000 copies of the argument to be published as pamphlets. While she waited for their printing, she mailed page proofs to editors as far away as St. Louis, asking all to publish the argument. This is a wonderful letter concerning her most significant <I>cause célèbre.</B></I> Despite her very strong arguments, using the 14th Amendment in particular, she was unsuccessful and was forced to pay a $100 fine, which she openly refused to pay. The state declined to pursue the matter further. A superb letter from one of the giants of the women's suffrage movement. Provenance, Charles Hamilton, 1953. Folds, light soiling, else very good. <I>Ex. Henry E. Luhrs Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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