Lot 676

Anthony Comstock ANTIQUE Signature American Morals Crusader

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Anthony Comstock ANTIQUE Signature American Morals Crusader

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Estimate: $100 - $200

Starting Bid: $50

(0 Bids)

by The Book Barn
August 13, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Timed Auction
353 Indian Village Road
Shapliegh, ME, US 07076

ANTIQUE 2 1/4 Inch high by 4 Inch wide Signature, Date, & Place Of Anthony Comstock American Morals Crusader (see scan(s). Boldly Signed in Ink: "ANTHONY COMSTOCK/NEW YORK CITY/MAY 13th 1891." Laid down to larger piece on which is written, in another hand, "Destroyed 160 Tons Of Lit & Pix" at top & "1844-1915-Morals Crusader-Anti Obscenity."

Anthony Comstock (1844-1915) was a US Postal Inspector & politician dedicated to ideas of Victorian morality. The terms "comstockery" and "comstockism" were used for his extensive campaign to censor materials he considered indecent and obscene, such as birth control information. In 1873, Comstock created the New York Society For The Suppression Of Vice, an institution dedicated to supervising the morality of the public. Later that year, Comstock successfully influenced the United States Congress to pass the Comstaock Law, which made illegal the delivery by U.S. mail, or by other modes of transportation, of "obscene, lewd, or lascivious" material, as well as prohibiting any methods of production or publication of information pertaining to the procurement of abortion, the prevention of conception and the prevention of general disease. The term "Comstockery", meaning "censorship because of perceived obscenity or immorality", was coined in an editorial in "NY Times" in 1895. Comstock's ideas of what might be "obscene, lewd, or lascivious" were quite broad. During his time of greatest power, even some anatomy textbooks were prohibited from being sent to medical students by the USPS. The US Post Office actually made Comstock a special agent with police powers, and he boasted of his responsibility for 4,000 arrests, 15 suicides, and the destruction of 15 tons of books. He carried on a war of words with playwright George Bernard Shaw, whom he called an Irish "smut dealer."

Comstock's autographic material is on a piece of paper which been laid down to a larger cut out paper to, in effect, make a mat. Very light age toning. Overall Very Good Condition. ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED, NOT DEFECTIVE, & GENUINE.

PLEASE NOTE: We do all our own shipping. We will combine shipping on multiple items, where possible to save the wining bidder on shipping costs. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

  • Condition: Very Good Condition

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Shipping

We do all our own shipping. Shipping will be added to winning bidder's invoice for item(s) won. Media Mail postage from USPS will be used for shipping in the United States for those items allowed. Lowest alternative cost shipping will be billed for items not allowed by USPS to be shipped by Media Mail. Foreign winning bidders will pay postage based on their countries small/medium/large Flat Rate box postage rates & weight of the package. Other types of postage are available at added expense at the bidders request. You also agree to pay any applicable taxes and/or customs/import duties. A Tracking Number will be provided to buyer. Insurance is mandatory on packages over $100 USD and will be added to postage charges when applicable.

The Book Barn

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $19 $1
$20 $49 $2
$50 $99 $5
$100 $249 $10
$250 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 + $100