THE UNITED STATES CRIMINAL CALENDAR: OR AN AWFUL WARNING TO THE YOUTH OF AMERICA; BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MOST HORRID MURDERS, PIRACIES, HIGHWAY ROBBERIES, &C. &C. COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES, BY HENRY ST. CLAIR. WITH FIFTEEN ENGRAVINGS.

Boston: Printed and published by Charles Gaylord, 1840. 356pp, frontispiece engraving and 13 dramatic, attractive plate engravings [appears to be lacking one engraving]. Original illustrated paper-covered boards, cloth spine. The first gathering of text partly loosened and fastened to the text block with an old pin. Light tan and light scattered foxing. Good+.

St. Clair believed that shocking crimes should be exploited to dissuade youth from becoming criminals; the Preface makes clear that St. Clair greatly enjoyed feeding the public's interest in lurid crimes. The Preface notes the propensity to "take pleasure in the sight or relation of human sin and suffering." St. Clair writes about those robbers, pirates, murderers, madmen, and others, who have been "eminent in their professions... people will indulge in reading such matter, whether this volume is published or not and it is certainly better that it should be presented in the least exceptionable form possible." More than forty notorious criminals and their crimes are presented.
Cohen 12114. AI 40-5930 [5]. Item #31287

Price: $250.00

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