Thoughts on the Death Penalty

1845. Philadelphia: Merrihew and Thompson, 1845.. Philadelphia: Merrihew and Thompson, 1845. Rare 1845 Essay Condemning Capital Punishment Burleigh, Charles C. [1810-1878]. Thoughts on the Death Penalty. Philadelphia: Printed by Merrihew and Thompson, 1845. 144 pp. Octavo (7-1/2" x 4-3/4"). Later library cloth, red and black calf lettering pieces and paper library shelf label to spine, endpapers renewed. Light soiling, front joint just starting at head, front hinge partially cracked, crack between rear endleaf and free endpaper. Moderate toning to interior, light soiling and faint embossed stamp to title page, a few library markings and repair to a short tear to verso, cellotape repairs to short tears on pp. 31, 32 and 33-34. $250. * First edition. A philosophical and religious argument against capital punishment. Its author was an ardent abolitionist and social reformer. A second edition was published in 1847. Both editions are rare. OCLC locates 3 copies of the first edition in law libraries (Harvard, Duke, Trial Courty Law Library). Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 3796.