Celebrated Crimes in Three Volumes: Volume III Only

Boston: Joseph Knight Company, 1896. Celebrated Crimes was originally published in France between 1839-1840 in eight volumes. This First Edition Thus is an English translation published in 1896 by Joseph Knight Company of Boston. Unlike other American publishers who followed the French prototype of releasing this work of famous true crimes in eight volumes, this publisher chose instead to release ten of the 18 essays in three volumes only, of which this is Volume III from a broken set. This particularly handsome and ornate book includes four famous crimes: The Marquise de Ganges, Karl Ludwig Sand, Vaninka, and Urban Grandier. Joseph Knight had several alternate bindings, using the differing designs in different colors. This is from one of the red-cloth versions. (There was also one like it in brown cloth.) The elaborate design shows nine vignette drawings of a gilt sword within a mirrored border of black bats on the front panel, plus three identical vignette designs on the spine. The titles in die-stamped gilt are also found on both the front panel and spine. There is a small area of discoloration on the front panel, as if from a spill, shown in the photo. The spine is a little darkened but completely readable. There is light rubbing at the spine tips and corners. The book has top-edge gilt. The original owner's signature and address is on the front free end paper. The pages are clean and bright throughout. The book also includes six full-page drawings with tissue guards. . First American Edition Thus. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Dust Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.