McGowan vs. California Vigilantes, SIGNED by Joseph Sullivan, 1/675 copies, Fine

McGowan vs. California Vigilantes
Author:
Edward McGowan and Joseph A. Sullivan (Foreword)
Publisher:
Biobooks
Release Date:
1946
Seller Category:
CALIFORNIANA
Qty Available:
1
Condition:
Used: Excellent
Sku: 01000
Notes: Fine, SIGNED, no. one of 675 copies, 8vo, 10" x 7 1/4." "Number VII: California Centennial Edition." Red leather-covered boards backed with black leather. Gilt lettering on front cover and spine. Covers have minuscule wear to edges and tips and front lettering slightly faded, else clean and intact, binding tight, sharp tips. Pages slightly age-toned, else clean and intact. SIGNED by Joseph A. Sullivan on back colophon in blue ink: "To Dorothy, Merry Xmas, 12/20/46, Joe." Facsimile signature of Charles Erskine Scott Wood in front. Two facsimile newspaper issues laid in the back pocket, namely, _The Phoenix_ (September 20, 1857) and _The Ubiquitous_ (March 14, 1858), which were both founded by Edward McGowan. A leaf removed from a book is tipped in on a back flyleaf; the front of the leaf shows a plate depicting McGowan; the verso has printed text. 205 pp. Stirring autobiography by Edward "Ned" McGowan (1813-1893), an American lawyer, Pennsylvania assemblyman, author, newspaper publisher, and an instigator of the bloodless McGowan's War in British Columbia. McGowan is perhaps best-known for opposing the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance, a controversial group of vigilantes that formed in 1851 amid rampant crime and government corruption in the city. The Vigilance Committee became infamous for exacting extrajudicial justice on suspected criminals. McGowan was one of several government officials who were brought in to quell the vigilantes. Unfortunately, McGowan's was persecuted by the Vigilance Committee for his actions, but he managed to escape San Francisco and moved to British Columbia. McGowan founded _The Phoenix_ and _The Ubiquitous_ as a way to expose the crimes of the Vigilance Committee. Foreword by Joseph A. Sullivan. Back colophon: "675 numbered and signed copies of this book have been printed at the Gillick Press, Berkeley, California; Decorations by Victor R. Anderson; Designed by Ben Kennedy. This copy is Number One." Heavy and oversized items may require additional shipping.