Lot 969

Francis Russell SIGNED book "A City In Terror" by Francis Russell 1975 HC 1919 Boston Police Strike 1st/1st In DJ

Previous image preload Next image preload

Francis Russell SIGNED book "A City In Terror" by Francis Russell 1975 HC 1919 Boston Police Strike 1st/1st In DJ

left to bid 14d 5h 22m left to bid (Bidding Extended) Lot is closed 14d 5h 22m left to bid Refresh page
Estimate: $100 - $150

Starting Bid: $30

(0 Bids)

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

VINTAGE AUTHOR SIGNED 1975 Hardcover History Of 1919 Boston Police Strike 1st Edition 1st Printing In Dust Jacket; "A City in Terror: The 1919 Boston Police Strike & the Rise Of Then Governor Calvin Coolidge Into The National Spotlight" by Francis Russell. HARDCOVER 1975 Viking Press 1st Edition 1st Printing with "Copyright 1975" & "First Published in 1975 by Viking Press…" on copyright page. Exactly as shown in scan(s). Nice Collectible SIGNED by Author 1st Edition 1st Printing hardcover copy In Dust Jacket. SCARCE SIGNATURE OF AUTHOR FRANCIS RUSSELL ON 1ST ENDPAPER; ONLY ONE SIGNED COPY ON THE INTERNET AT THE TIME OF LISTING.

"A classic on why police are not allowed to strike. On September 9 and 10, 1919, Boston Police struck for better working conditions and wages and the right to associate with the AFL. What happened is that the criminal element struck during the strike and literally looted and damaged millions of dollars worth of property. Women were raped on the streets. Both the police commissioner Curtis, Mayor Peters, and Governor Calvin Coolidge did nothing, being assured by Curtis that enough policemen would remain to patrol the city. Bad elements, including sailors, anarchists, and underworld figures from New York struck and mayhem ran wild in the streets for two days. Mayor Peters finally got help from the National Guard and Militia to put down the rampage at a cost of 8 lives. When Coolidge saw what Peters did, he claimed the credit for the militia action, even though it was the Mayor's incentive. Of course, Coolidge parlayed his fame from this to become a Vice Presidential candidate and eventually President. This is an event not now known to many people. Police still do not have a right to strike, and this is the reason. One man rode this issue to the Presidency, showing how Politics and public protection do not mix. An index at the end makes further research easier."

Illustrated with photos. Internally tight & unmarked. Binding Exterior: all lettering/decoration bright. Light edge wear/snall abrasions to SELDOM PRESENT price clipped DJ.

SIGNED & INSCRIBED ON 1ST BLANK END PAPER: "FOR FRITZ (?) KOELN/AND A FRIENDSHIP OF MANY YEARS/FRANCIS RUSSELL."

FRANCIS RUSSELL (1910-1989) was a noted American author specializing in American history and historical figures, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Russell is best known for his book on Warren G. Harding, "The Shadow of Blooming Grove." He graduated from Bowdoin College, and from Harvard University, with a master's degree in 1937. His papers are kept at Bowdoin College. Russell became embroiled in a lawsuit with some of the heirs of Warren Harding around the publication of his 1968 biography of the former president. Alleging that they had been embarrassed by the previous publication of some of the love letters of Harding, the heirs sued and won a judgement preventing the publication of the letters by Russell. His most controversial work was on the Sacco-Vanzetti case. It was the award-winning "Tragedy in Dedham: The Story of the Sacco-Vanzetti Case" (1962). It was continued with the 1986 publication of his book "Sacco & Vanzetti: The Case Resolved." In it, he claimed to solve the case, proposing that only Nicola Sacco was guilty and Bartholomew Vanzetti was innocent"

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

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Visa

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

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $299:
20.00%
$300 - $599:
18.00%
$600+:
15.00%

View full terms and conditions

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