Nuptiae Sacra; or an Inquiry into the Scriptural Doctrine of Marriage and Divorce [with] Thoughts on the Propriety of Preventing Marriages Founded on Adultery
Published by J. Wright; Philanthropic Reform, London, 1801
- First Edition
- Used
Seller: Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. -- ABAA, ILAB, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. -- ABAA, ILAB
AbeBooks seller since March 8, 2010
Condition: Used
£ 1,924.86
Quantity:Â 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Two pamphlets bound together in modern quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco label to spine. Measuring 203 x 120mm and both collating complete: [4], 136; 27, [1, blank]. Toning throughout both tracts, with closed tears to pages 69-70 and 77-80 with no loss of text; contemporary pencil annotations throughout the first tract documenting one reader's responses to the controversial claims. Numbers 2 and 4 in ink to headers of each title suggest these were part of a larger compilation of legal tracts (likely the set of four that were offered for sale in the 1923 Walpole Galleries sale, which bear matching marks). Each scarce, OCLC reports approximately 20 copies of the first title and ESTC locates 3 copies of the second title; they are the only examples currently in trade. Two scarce pamphlets engaging in a longstanding debate about whether, how, and when divorce should be socially and legally acceptable. These two take up the issue of women's sexual agency, and Thoughts on the Propriety specifically espouses the notion that women who have engaged in adultery should not be allowed to divorce an existing spouse in order to marry a man with whom they've been unfaithful. Biblical justifications for this ban are presented throughout; but the hypocrisy woven into the argument makes it clear that its author is manufacturing a problem in order to punish and shame the few women for whom this circumstance even exists. Marriages, at the time, could only be dissolved through divorce in an Act of Parliament; thus, divorces were only available to the titled and the wealthy. Additionally, at the time of Thoughts on the Propriety's publication in 1800, no woman had ever successfully petitioned Parliament for divorce and been granted one. This landmark would come in 1801 (the year of publication for Nuptiae Sacra), when Jane Campbell successfully petitioned to divorce Edward Addison on the grounds of abuse. "Of the 314 divorce Acts issued before 1857, all but five were initiated by men. Of the five women who petitioned for divorce, Jane Campbell was the first to successfully unbind herself from her husband" (History of Parliament). Whether the author of Thoughts anticipated such a ruling or not, it is clear that the issue at stake was not so much women gaining divorces as women more openly at the turn of the century engaging in pre and extra marital sexual relationships or even in some cases paid sex work. This was, in fact occurring; and it was the subject of numerous satires, erotic works, and religious diatribes dealing with cuckoldry and whoredom. The desire to shame and control women who expressed sexual subjecthood, and the impulse to position them as the sinning parties (rather than the men who equally engaged in the behavior with them) is telling and predicts how future divorce laws would unfold.…
Seller Inventory # 5554
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Nuptiae Sacra; or an Inquiry into the Scriptural Doctrine of Marriage and Divorce [with] Thoughts on the Propriety of Preventing Marriages Founded on Adultery
- Author
- [Marriage & Divorce] [Women's Rights]
- Publisher
- J. Wright; Philanthropic Reform, London
- Publication year
- 1801
- Edition
- First editions.
- Seller catalogs
- Antiquarian, Philosophy and Social Thought, Women
Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. -- ABAA, ILAB
Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 2 to 5 business days | 2 to 3 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 14.95 | £ 26.16 |
Payment methods
Store description
Whitmore Rare Books runs an open shop in "Old Town" Pasadena, Ca specializing in literary first editions and other important works of western civilization and culture. Each book is carefully selected with an eye towards quality, scarcity and significance. Please get in touch in there are specific books of interest not currently in our inventory and we can help locate appropriate copies for you.
Specialty
Literary First EditionsAssociation member
Seller's business information
Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. -- ABAA, ILAB
121 E. Union St.
Pasadena, CA U.S.A. 91103
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've changed your mind about a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.
Whitmore Rare Books, Inc.
121 E. Union St.
Pasadena, Ca 91103
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Whitmore Rare Books, Inc. -- ABAA, ILAB, Pasadena, California, U.S.A., +1 626-714-7720, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on shipping speeds and book weight. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.