Birth Control Laws.

£200 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

First edition, first printing, of this significant contribution to the US birth control debate. Mary Ware Dennett (1872-1947) was a psychologist and suffragist who in 1919 wrote a sex education pamphlet for teenagers titled The Sex Side of Life. It was printed in a medical journal and then self-published and distributed via the YMCA/YWCA and state health agencies. 'The U.S. Postal Service declared it was obscene material, had her arrested, and took her to court in a highly publicised case. The ruling was against her, but she became a popular and dedicated writer and speaker for socialist causes' (Ogilvie, Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science, p. 347). First edition, first printing; 8vo; title to appendix II printed in red and black on thinner paper, spotting to the edges of the text block and early and late leaves; original blue cloth, titles to spine and upper board gilt, spine darkened, some light spots to the cloth, gilt titles dulled, a very good copy in the rubbed and tanned jacket with spotting and some small chips and nicks; 309pp.

• Binding: Hardcover

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