Thomas Clarkson, and others

Nine works in ten volumes relating to the abolition of the slave trade, comp♕rising:

i) Thomas Clarkson. An Essay on the Impolicy of the American Slave Trade, London: J. Phillips, 1788. 8vo (224 x 142mm.), leaves unopened, contemporary boards, “Clarkson’s Slavery” in manuscript to the spine, endpapers and title slightly foxed, edges frayed, head of spine becoming detached, joints weak

ii) The Constitution of the Pennsylvania society for the promotion of the abolition of slavery, Philadelphia: Francis Bailey, 1788. 8vo (198 x 124mm.), later blue paper wrapper, some loss to fore-edge of title page

iii) Thomas Clarkson. An abstract of the evidence delivered before a select committee of the House of Commons in the years 1790, and 1791, London: James Phillips, 1791. 8vo (226 x 144mm.), folding engraved map of the Western coast of Africa, leaves uncut, modern boards, edges slightly frayed

iv) Thomas Clarkson. The History of the Rise and Progress, and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade by the British Parliament. London: R. Taylor and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1808. 2 volumes, 8vo (207 x 127mm.), one folding engraved diagram, volume 1 half calf over marbled boards, volume 2 half calf, sprinkled edges, engraved diagram foxed with two closed tears at folds, end leaves browned at extremities in volume 1, some loss to volume 2 front free-endpaper, volume 1 boards detached, bindings rubbed at extremities

v) Thomas Clarkson. Thoughts on the necessity of improving the condition of the slaves in the British Colonies, with a view to their ultimate emancipation, London: Richard Taylor, 1823. 8vo (228 x 144mm.) leaves unopened, modern boards, title and preface reinforced with tissue, browned at extremities

vi) Adam Hodgson. A Letter to M. Jean-Baptiste say, on the comparative expense of free and slave labour, Liverpool: James Smith, 1823. 8vo (213 x 134mm.), modern boards, minor foxing to title page

vii) Negro Slavery: or, a view of some of the more prominent features of that state of society, as it exists in the United States of America and in the colonies of the West Indies, especially in Jamaica, London: Hatchard and Son, 1823. 8vo (224 x 135mm.), marbled card wrappers, soiling to head of final leaf, upper wrapper detached

viii) Thomas Clarkson. Strictures on a life of William Wilberforce by the Rev W. Wilberforce and the Rev S. Wilberforce, London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1838. 8vo (223 x 140mm.), 16pp. publisher's catalogue at the front (dated July 1838), boards, occasional light foxing 

ix) William Goodell. The American Slave Code in theory and practice: it's distinctive features shown by its statutes, judicial decisions, and illustrative facts, New York: American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, 1853. 8vo (182 x 115mm.), modern half buckram over marbled boards, morocco gilt label to spine, red sprinkled edges, title page torn at head of gutter, minor tears at fore-edge of first few pages, library stamps to title

Thomas Clarkson was an ass🍌ociate of William Wilberforce, both b💙elonging to the Clapham sect, a group of evangelical Christians who campaigned for the abolition of slavery. Adam Hodgson was an English merchant, abolitionist and member of the Liverpool Society or Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.

One volume in this collection was gifted to Francis Fry, of the chocolate company that became J. S. Fry and Sons, by his brother Richard Fry. Many members of this Quaker family were actively involved in the abolitionist movement and when Thomas Clarkson started a campaign to abolish slavery in⭕ 1822, J. S. Fry, father of Francis and Richard, was on the list of just 519 nationwide supporters. Francis Fry himself was a s🐷trong supporter of the abolitionist movement and in 1850 promoted the cause on a 3 month tour of Europe, as a deputation from the Society of Friends.

PROVENANCE:

i) Francis Fry (1803-1866): "Francis Fry from his dear brother Richard Fry 1833". viii) Earl of Ellenborough, Governor General of India (1790-1871): ownership stamp on front pastdown "Earl of Ellenbrough's Heirlooms. Book no, 1430, 167", "Ellenborough" ownership insciption to outside of upper board, "From the author" in manuscript on front free-endpaper. ix) Board of Trade library stam🍸p and deaccesion stamp to titl🌼e