[DARROW, Clarence (1857-1938)] -- [LEOPOLD & LOEB]. The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. New York: Oxford University Press, American Branch, 1899.

12mo. Title and marginal manicules printed in red, several printed underlinings in-text. (Browned, leaves brittle). Original salmon cloth (worn, hinges starting). Provenance: Clarence Darrow (bookplate): Nathan Leopold Jr. (1904-1971), criminal involved in the famous Leopold and Loeb case (gift inscription).

FROM THE COLLECTION OF CLARENCE DARROW with an inscription in an unknown hand to his client, Nathan Leopold, Jr.: "To Nathan Leopold Jr. from a friend. 'God help you.'"

Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, wealthy University of Chicago students, were charged with the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks. They believed that their superior intellect would allow them to commit the "perfect crime" without consequences; the murder was characterized at the time as the "crime of the century."

They retained the counsel of renowned criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow, whose 12-hour summation at their sentencing hearing was notable for its criticism of capital punishment as retributive, rather than transformative, justice. Darrow's conclusion of the hearing is considered to be the finest speech of his career. Ultimately, Leopold and Loeb were sentenced to life in prison plus 99 years. The New Testament is market with printed underlinings of passages of redemption. A SUPERB ASSOCIATION COPY.

This lot is located in Chicago.

[DARROW, Clarence (1857-1938)] -- [LEOPOLD & LOEB]. The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. New York: Oxford University Press, American Branch, 1899.