Memoirs of the Sansons from Private Notes and Documents [1688 - 1847]. Two Volumes.
London: Chatto and Windus, 1876. English translation of the condensed memoirs of Henry Sanson and his family. A fascinating but macabre memoir of a family of executioners living in Paris. Generations of the Sanson family served as executioners, including a seven year old child who (not yet physically able to wield an axe) was supplied with an assistant and instructor and was forced to sanction executions with his presence. Bound in the original red cloth boards with gilt titles and gilt illustrations of an axe and chopping block to spines. Minor wear to edges and corners of boards. Rubbing and minor soiling to boards. Chipping, tears, browning, and wear to cloth on spines of both volumes. A mouse has nibbled at the edge of the front board of volume two. One signature in the second volume is coming loose. Minor toning to margins. Pages remain unopened. 285 pages plus 32 pages of ads; Volume II has 306 pages. OCC/070722. More