Signed; James Allen - Without Sanctuary, Lynching photography in America - 2000

Welcome to this special sale of books by authors listed in the Photobook by Parr & Badger. This book, 'Without Sanctuary,' is listed in Photobook by Parr & Badger Volume II p. 230.

Rare edition bound, published in a limited print run of 6,000 copies (second edition). 212 pages, including pages and 100 black-and-white photographs and postcards, in sepia tone or, exceptionally, in color, most full-page. Notes and postface in English by James E. Allen, with text by John Lewis and Leon F. Litwack. Publisher's binding, embossed titled in relief on the spine in black characters, and illustrated cover jacket.

To view the photographic series in full screen, double-click on a photograph, then you can return to the standard display at any time.

This book on the practice of lynching in the United States is profoundly disturbing on multiple levels. First, because these monstrous practices indeed existed; second, because they were photographed; and third, because these photographs were published and circulated as postcards, not to bear witness but to boast about these murders. These terrifying images date from a recent period in American history, and many lynchings were carried out coldly and carefully planned, sometimes even publicly announced so that schools could close their doors to allow children to witness. James Allen collected these photographs and postcards from witnesses, their relatives, or their descendants.

This term of lynching covers acts of torture, murder by hanging, or even sometimes cremation on a pyre.

Lynching is a practice of summary justice that originated in America, established by Charles Lynch (1736-1796), a Virginia planter and justice of the peace who, during the American War of Independence, presided over an irregular court formed to punish loyalists to the British crown. Subsequently, the practice of lynching spread during the American Westward expansion into new territories where judicial institutions were often absent or underrepresented. This new practice took on a new dimension; 'Lynch law' then refers to any form of violence in which a crowd, under the pretext of delivering justice without a trial, executes a presumed culprit, usually by hanging. By the end of the Civil War, lynchings of Republican figures and African Americans became frequent in Southern states until the late 1950s. These criminal acts were mainly carried out by the terrorist organization Ku Klux Klan and various small groups emerging from the white supremacist movement.

Book from my personal collection, in excellent condition, like new, but without the red OBI, carefully preserved. Shipped with highly effective protective packaging and guaranteed international tracked postal service. For multiple purchases, combined shipping is possible with a refund of any excess postal fees paid via Paypal.

1.2 kg excluding packaging