[VIRGINIA] [KNOW-NOTHING PARTY] "BY A VIRGINIAN" [pseud]

The Life and Death of Sam in Virginia. By a Virginian

Richmond: by the Author, 1856. First Edition. Octavo (19.5cm). Publisher's blind-stamped cloth with gilt spine title; 308pp + four unnumbered pages of ads. Light rubbing and wear to covers, with spine gilt a touch dull but perfectly legible; internally sound and unmarked, with mild faint foxing to endpapers; Very Good. The pseudonym is uncertain; Wright attributes the work to "Gardner" (no given name).

Uncommon fictional satire on Virginia antebellum politics, basically a Democratic Party promotional piece, built around the 1856 gubernatorial election, in which Henry Wise, a Democrat, handily defeated the Know-Nothing candidate Thomas Flournoy. SABIN 41004. WRIGHT II:976.

Price: $450.00

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