The Temperance Almanac Of The Massachusetts Temperance Union. Lydia Sherman (The Derby Poisoner. Or, The Poison Fiend) SIGNED copy. 1841.

Lydia Sherman.

Published by Whipple & Damrell, Boston. Mass. USA., 1841

About this Item

This 1841 copy of this scarce ephemeral item is signed in two places on the cover "Lydia Sherman" and "Lydia S" on the top edge of the cover and near woodcut device half-way down. Some fading and corner nearly detached. The woman Lydia Sherman was Known as "The Derby Poisoner" and/or "The Poison Fiend" after the murder of 3 husbands and at least 7 of her children. 36 pages with stitched or sewn binding, cover grubby and worn at corners and edges. , back page with woodcut showing the harm caused by "Public Houses" and a page of text on the matter has also been handled with a little loss at edge near spine and also outer edge. Old ink spot to page edge at one place on last few pages, text not affected. Another name "Nancy" is also written on the cover quite small. Overall a good copy only. * This scarce item was supposedly purchased at a Sir Thomas Phillips sale of ephemera and posters in November 1975 held at Sotheby's in London. This comes with a copy of the catalogue we found the item in and although found in the catalogue we cannot see the lot in question and assume this was a part lot in a group? AND! Whilst no further evidence can be gleaned as to the authenticity of the signature (there does not appear to be any other examples in any institutional holdings of her signature), the time and place this almanac was produced fit into the time-frame and place of the person we believe signed this and her associations with the Temperance Movement which ultimately led to the murder of one of her husbands Horatio N. Sherman who was an inveterate drunkard. **We offer this as a genuine signature c1841 on this ephemeral item as by the person stated and whom we believe has signed this copy at the time, but will accept the item back unreservedly if any concerns arise upon further research by any purchaser. Seller Inventory # 4472

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Temperance Almanac Of The Massachusetts ...

Publisher: Whipple & Damrell, Boston. Mass. USA.

Publication Date: 1841

Binding: Original Wrappers.

Condition: Good

Edition: 1st Edition