Blood Accusation; The Strange History of the Beiliss Case

Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1967. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good Condition/Good. Introduction by author, acknowledgements and advice, dramatis personae, notes, bibliography and index. Black coloured boards with gilt coloured titles to the backstrip. Plain text dustwrapper with red, green and white coloured titles to the front panel and backstrip. In 1911 a young boy was found viciously mutilated in a cave in the outskirts of Kiev. Four months later a Jew, Mendel Beiliss, was charged with the murder – specifically to use the young boy's blood to make matzos for Passover; a bizarre, extraordinary, and clumsy frame-up. "The officials in charge of the case were perfectly aware that Beiliss was innocent, and most of them knew who the actual murderers were. In their conspiracy they had the assistance of the Minister of Justice, the moral support of Czar Nicholas II, the political support of the reactionaries, and the co-operation of a criminal gang led by an imprudent and homicidal underworld bawd. The purpose was to give legal sanction to the ancient libel of ritual murder and to create a climate for a new pogrom would destroy the rising liberal dissident spirit in Russia. On the other hand a significant segment of the Russian people opposed the conspiracy." – from front fold over panel blurb. Rubbing of the backstrip edges and of the book corners. Age toning of the text block edges and pages. A little chipping of the dustwrapper corners and backstrip corners. Some chipping has also occurred to the top and bottom edges of the front panel. Sunning of the backstrip and of the rear panel. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. [7], VIII - XV, [4], 4 - 286, [1, II - IX – index, 1] pages,. Dust Jacket price-clipped. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Law & Criminal Studies; Judaica; Russia; 1900-1920; Politics & Government. Inventory No: 0129531. .