The Defense of Gracchus Babeuf before the High Court of Vendome

1964. [Leonard Baskin at the] Gehenna Press, 1964. [Leonard Baskin at the] Gehenna Press, 1964. Fine-Press Account of the Trial of an Important French Revolutionary and Socialist Martyr [Trial]. Babeuf, Gracchus [1760-1797], Defendant. Cornell, Thomas [1937-2012], Illustrator. Scott, John Anthony [1916-2010], Editor, Translator, Author. The Defense of Gracchus Babeuf Before the High Court of Vendome. Northampton, [MA]: [Leonard Baskin at the] Gehenna Press, 1964. [ii], 83, [5] pp. Etched frontispiece, 20 etched plates. 21 plates in all. Quarto (12-1/2" x 8-3/4"). Six quires of uncut and unopened quartos in twos, one of each pair inserted into the fold of the other, laid into calf chemise, pages interleaved with 20 signed loose etchings printed by Emiliano Sorini in New York and it was designed and produced by Leonard Baskin on blue Fabriano laid paper. Letterpress in Baskerville type on linen Nideggen laid paper moldmade in Germany. Orange press mark signed by Thomas Cornell. Housed in quarter-calf over cloth solander (tray) case. Fine. $450. * From an edition limited to 300 copies, this number 87. Babeuf, publisher of the Tribun du Peuple, was executed in 1797 for his role in the Conspiracy of Equals to overthrow the Directoire. This conspiracy is significant as the first attempt to install a socialist government. Gahenna's fine-press volume about Babeuf's trial contains English translations of selections from Babeuf's defense, Marechal's Manifesto of Equals and Babeuf's peroration, his last words to the court, which were addressed to his children. An American artist and illustrator, Cornell was drawn to subjects concerning global, social, and environmental justice. The book was printed by Harold McGrath, the suite of etchings by Emiliano Sorini. Baskin, Franklin and Baskin, The Gehenna Press: The Work of Fifty Years, 1942-1992 36. Widener and Wiener, Law's Picture Books: The Yale Law Library Collection 10.8.