ATHEISM

A nice artefact, a number of Carlile's celebrated radical journal 'The Republican' (espousing not only republicanism but also atheism, abolitionism and birth control) as it appeared from the press. For information on Carlile - described by E. P. Thompson as a 'Showman of Free Thought' - and his 'moral wife' the suffragist Eliza Sharples, see their entries in the Oxford DNB. For publishing various 'blasphemous' works by Thomas Paine, Carlile was fined £1500 and sentenced to three years in Dorchester Gaol.

For information on Carlile - described by E. P. Thompson as a 'Showman of Free Thought' - and his 'moral wife' the suffragist Eliza Sharples, see their entries in the Oxford DNB. At the time of writing Carlile was in prison for refusal to pay the church rates. The proofs Carlile asks to be allowed to receive in the first letter are presumably those of his journal 'The Gauntlet'. The phrenologist 'Mr. Hohn' referred to in the second of the letters - the 'Mr. Holme' of the accompanying slip - is the German-born physician and phrenologist John Diederick Holm (d.1856).

15 + [1]pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, with light signs of age. Last page carries a list of 'Works by Colonel R. G. Ingersoll.' Scarce: no copy at the British Library, and the only copies on COPAC at the Humanist Library and Oxford.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In fair condition, with light signs of age, and slight damage at margin of title-leaf from disbinding. The introduction reads: 'On Thursday evening, January 14, 1892, the Unitarian Club of New York, held its annual dinner at Sherry's.

30pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. The only copies of this edition on COPAC at Oxford and the Humanist Library.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. 'You do not exactly appreciate my feeling. I do not hate Presbyterians; I hate Presbyterianism. I hate with all my heart the creed of that Church, and I most heartily despise the God described in the Confession of Faith. But some of the best friends I have in the world are afflicted with the mental malady known as Presbyterianism.' Uncommon.

15 + [1]pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. P.15 carries a 'Postscript to Second Edition', dated January 1892, in which Foote declares that it is time 'to fling aside all reserve, and I unhesitatingly call Mr. Hughes's story a lie from beginning to end. It does not contain even a mixture of truth; it is pure, unadulterated falsehood.' The last page carries a list of 'Works by G. W. Foote.' Scarce: no copies of the first or any other edition on COPAC, and the only two copies of this second edition at the British Library and Humanist Library.

12pp., 12mo. Disbound. In detached grey printed wraps, with portrait of Ingesoll on cover. In good condition, on aged paper. Only one copy of this twelfth edition on COPAC, at the London School of Economics.

8pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. Drophead title only. Scarce: no copy at the British Library, and the only copy on COPAC at Oxford University.

15 + [1]pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, with light signs of age. Last page carries a list of 'Works by Colonel Ingersoll.' Foote's introductory note reads: 'During November and December, 1889, the North American Review printed a number of articles by representative men on the subject of Divorce. The editor framed a series of four questions, which the various writers replied to. Colonel Ingersoll answered them seriatim and fully, without the least evasion and reserve, having a habit, not only of meaning what he says, but of saying what he means.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Scarce: no copy at the British Library, and the only copies on COPAC at the Humanist Library and Oxford University.

31 + [1]pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. Engraved portrait of Ingersoll on title-page,with facsimile signature. Last page carries a list of 'Colonel Ingersoll's Works.' The essay begins: 'The Brooklyn Union has interviewed Robert G. Ingersoll, who criticises the Union's recent interviews with clergymen.

29pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, with light signs of and wear, and minor marking to title-leaf. Scarce: no copy in the British Library, and the only copy on COPAC at Oxford.

15 + [1]pp., 12mo. Disbound without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. 'I disagree with nearly every sentence in this book, regard the story as brutal and absurd, the view of life presented as cruel, vile, and false'. The last page carries a list of 'Works by Colonel R. G. Ingersoll.' Scarce: no copy in the British Library, and the only copy on COPAC at Durham.

18pp., 12mo. Disbound. In grey printed wraps, with engraved portrait of Ingersoll on front cover. In good condition, lightly aged. An attack on religion, also taking in slavery and the theory of evolution. No copy of this fifteenth edition on COPAC, and only four copies of any edition, and none at the British Library.

16pp., 12mo. Disbound, without wraps. In good condition, lightly aged. On reverse of title: 'This is not a reprint, and Publisher reserves right.' Scarce: the only copy on COPAC or WorldCat at Oxford Univesity, whose entry dates it to the 1880s..

18pp., 8vo. Disbound. With pink front wrap, carrying an engraved portrait of 'Colonel Ingersoll. The Great American Orator and Wit.'. In good condition, lightly aged. A report of a speech at Robinson's Opera House, Cincinnati. A prefatory note, titled 'Eloquence of Ingersoll', quotes from Samuel P. Putnam's 'Golden Throne'. Scarce: the only copies of any edition traced at Oxford (second edition) and the London School of Economics (edition not stated).

12mo, 1 p. Fifteen lines. Text clear and complete. Very good on lightly-aged paper. The valediction ('Yours sincerely | C. Bradlaugh') in Bradlaugh's hand, the rest in a secretary's. Addressed to 'F. Harris Esq'. Docketed by Harris: '18 or 20th of Feb. or March. Length unlimited: but more valuable short.' Bradlaugh is working on the article, but 'must not send it' before the report is presented to parliament, which Lord Derby assures him 'will be within fourteen days of the Reopening of the House'. He asks about length and deadline.