[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. HOWARD, Benjamin C. (1791-1872). Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States...in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford. December Term, 1856. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, printer, 1857.

Report of the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford. December Term, 1856.

239pp, 8vo, original string binding and rear wrapper. First edition, one of two simultaneously printed editions, the other in New York, for which no precedence has been established. Sabin 33240. Provenance: Ex-Norm Flayderman collection.

Scarce first edition of the landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford which held that enslaved people were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, could not expect any protection from the federal government or the courts. The opinion also stated that Congress had no authority to ban slavery from a Federal territory. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote the opinion for the majority. Dred Scott v. Sandford is now considered by many legal scholars to be the worst ever rendered by the Supreme Court, and inevitably helped propel the divided nation closer to the Civil War.

Front wrapper no longer present. Light dampstaining bottom right affecting about the first 20pp. Loss to bottom right corner of front/title page. Some toning.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera and Photography

[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. HOWARD, Benjamin C. (1791-1872). Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States...in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford. December Term, 1856. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, printer, 1857.

American Historical Ephemera and Photography

[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. HOWARD, Benjamin C. (1791-1872). Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States...in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford. December Term, 1856. Washington: Cornelius Wendell, printer, 1857.

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