Verbatim Report of Debate on Dec 3rd 1907. Sex Equality (Teresa Billington-Greig) Versus Adult Suffrage (Margaret Bondfield).

First edition, a transcript of a debate on the "most practical course to pursue in order to obtain representation for rather more than one-half of the human race in Great Britain" (p. 3). Held between representatives of the Women's Freedom League (WFL) and Adult Suffrage Society (ASS), the discussion highlighted division within the suffrage movement over issues of class and gender. Teresa Billington-Greig (1876-1964) was one of the founding members of the WFL and argued for prioritising the enfranchisement of women on the same terms as men. Although this would only grant a small proportion of women the vote, she considered sex disability too urgent an issue to risk delaying "until the country is ripe for other franchise reforms" (p. 8). Her opponent was Magaret Bondfield, chair of the ASS, who championed the broader approach of suffrage for all adults, without property qualifications. Provenance: from the collection of the suffrage historian Elizabeth Crawford. Octavo, 34 pp. Single sheet advert loosely inserted, titled Motherhood, or Useful Hints to Young Wives. Wire-stitched with original buff wrappers, front cover lettered and decorated in black, with photographs of both Billington-Greig and Bondfield. Pencil ownership inscription to title page: "Louisa [?] Phillips, July 13/08". A little rubbed, wrappers spotted, small rust stains around staples, crease marks on a few leaves: a very good copy.…