RARE LEEDS CHARTIST PERIODICAL: The People: Their Rights and Liberties, Their Duties and Their Interests

Complete set of 52 weekly periodicals dated 1848/1849, the first year of publication, in one volume. Compiled, printed, published and predominantly written by radical printer and preacher Joseph Barker, The People attempted to adapt Chartism to new needs and conditions declaring itself to be republican and ultra democratic with many articles advocating republicanism for England, the right to vote and participate in government for all, the repeal of the Act of Union for Ireland and the nationalisation of land. The contents sought to wage unsparing war with everything that stood in the way of 'the people's rights, the people's liberties, the people's improvement, and the people's prosperity'. Barker professed to be a peaceful advocate of the Charter but found himself arrested for seditious libel along with several other political agitators following the Liverpool summer assizes of 1848, (documented within the periodicals including details of the arrest and defence fund). While on bail he went to Bolton where he was elected MP for the borough at a by-election by popular acclaim though he never sat in parliament. He also offered himself as a candidate for the town council of Leeds as a representative of the Holbeck ward and was elected by a considerable majority. In 1851 he moved himself and his family to Knox County, Ohio. Two institutional copies only: Uni York; Uni London. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Half bound vernacular-style marbled boards over brown calf in fair condition, bumped to corners, age worn. Measuring 22 cm x 26 cm. Endpapers age toned, otherwise clean. Contemporary title page and contents pages in good condition. Text block in good, sound condition throughout. No.1 Vol. 1 is undated. No.2 Vol.1 is dated June 3, 1848, and consecutive dated issues follow weekly. Some spotting to leaves throughout although text is not compromised. 416 pp. Keywords: emigration, hereditary legislation, Unitarians, Chartism, America, French Revolution, Ireland, taxes, colonies, labour. Please contact Christian White Rare Books Ltd for more information or images of this item.…