The Story of My Life, In Dust Jacket, Signed by Darrow with His Label.
An Exceptional Association Copy of Darrow's Autobiography with His Bold Signature and Uncommon Book Label Darrow, Clarence [1857-1938]. The Story of My Life. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932. viii, [iv], 465 pp. 14 plates (with 16 illustrations). Octavo. 9" x 6"; 21.5 x 14.5 cm. Original blue cloth, front cover and spine gilt stamped with author and title. Light rubbing to spine ends and corners, otherwise a very good copy in an edgeworn, creased, and lightly soiled dust jacket. Black morocco law book spine label, measuring 2-1/2" x 3/4" (6.35 x 2 cm) and gilt stamped "C.S. Darrow.", affixed to upper left corner of front pastedown. Bold signature of Clarence Darrow to half-title page. $2,500. * First edition, first printing (Scribner "A" on copyright page). A highly exceptional association copy of one of the great American legal autobiographies of the twentieth century, bearing both Darrow's bold signature and an uncommon specimen of his personal office property labels. The black morocco label affixed to the front pastedown represents a fascinating quirk of Darrow's personal library. Rather than a traditional printed bookplate, it is a gilded leather spine label typically manufactured for serial law reports and treatises. According to rare law book dealer and authority Jordan "Joe" Luttrell, Darrow's almost invariable practice was to affix his bookplate to the top left-hand corner of a book's front pastedown, frequently signing the volume in conjunction with his ownership mark. Office spine labels used in this fashion are significantly scarcer than his standard printed bookplates or ink ownership stamps, appearing on only a handful of books retained in his private collection. When Darrow died in 1938 at the age of 81, he was universally recognized as one of the premier trial attorneys and public intellectuals of his era. While other contemporary lawyers contributed more to formal legal doctrine or amassed greater corporate wealth, none matched Darrow's legacy as a relentless crusader for labor rights, civil liberties, and the common man. This copy offers an intimate physical link to the legendary defense counsel's office library at the twilight of his career. Luttrell, Jordan [Joe]. "Clarence Darrow and the Books in His Life." AB Bookman's Weekly (April 24, 1995).
Price: $2,500.00
Book number 64624