Jouy, E. and A. Jay — Les hermites en prison

Paris: Ladvocat, 1823, Two volumes, complete. The first edition of this novel about prison life, c. 1800. The seond volume, interestingly, contains a lengthy (91 pp.) account of the Penitentiary of New York City, and the story of an Irish inmate, Henry Fitz-Allan. Frontispiece portraits of both authors, two other full-page engraved plates, numerous smaller wood-engraved illustrations and ornaments, including one of the Penitentiary of New York City. One of the full-page engraved plates is present in two states. It depicts a black man with an open shirt and an elegantly dressed white man, handcuffed together in prison. The black man smiles seductively at his companion; the white man looks terrified. 8vo, uncut in recent cloth with original decorated wraps bound in. Bindings fine. Occasional light internal foxing. Very large margins.