Abortion Rights Before Roe: Sherri Chessen Finkbine Press Photograph Archive of the Landmark Thalidomide Abortion Case that Shifted American Public Opinion on Abortion Law, 18 Photographs, 1962
- Photo
- Used
Seller: Max Rambod Inc, Woodland Hills, CA, U.S.A.Max Rambod Inc
AbeBooks seller since February 5, 2021
Association member: ABAAPADAILAB
View this seller's itemsCondition: Used
£ 669.26
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Large Press photograph archive of Sherri Chessen Finkbine, early 1960s, Archive of 18 press silver gelatin photographs documents her important abortion rights case that reshaped public discourse on reproductive autonomy in the United States prior to Roe v. Wade. Chessen, a television host publicly identified after seeking anonymity, became the center of national attention when she sought a therapeutic abortion after exposure to thalidomide during early pregnancy, a drug linked to severe fetal deformities. Her physician recommended termination, but once her identity was disclosed by the press, the hospital refused to proceed for fear of legal consequences. The case escalated into a national controversy involving court intervention attempts, FBI protection following death threats, and loss of her employment, demonstrating the legal, medical, and social constraints surrounding abortion in the United States at the time. Chessen ultimately traveled to Sweden, where the procedure was performed, and medical confirmation of extreme fetal deformities underscored the stakes of restricted access. Her case contributed to measurable shifts in public opinion, with a significant majority of Americans by the mid 1960s supporting legal abortion when the health of the mother was at risk. Archive of 18 original silver gelatin press photographs, dating from the early 1960s, measuring approximately 7 x 9 inches to 10 x 8 inches. Images depict Chessen during travel to and from Sweden, frequently accompanied by her husband, and include both candid and posed moments that capture the personal dimension of a widely publicized event. Several photographs emphasize the strain of sustained media attention, including one in which she is quoted stating, "I would just like to go someplace and have a few days of peace and quiet." Versos contain press markings and date stamps, confirming their use in contemporary news circulation. The archive provides visual documentation of a pivotal case that exposed the contradictions between medical recommendation, legal restriction, and media intrusion in early 1960s America. Occurring during the thalidomide crisis, when global awareness of drug-induced birth defects was rapidly expanding, the Chessen case became a focal point for debates over physician authority, patient autonomy, and state control over reproductive decisions. Its widespread coverage helped catalyze public reconsideration of abortion laws in the years leading to broader legal reform. The events were later dramatized in the 1992 film A Private Matter, underscoring their lasting cultural impact. Photographs exhibit typical press handling wear with minor surface marks; overall sharp and well preserved. Overall very good.…
Seller Inventory # 18069
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Abortion Rights Before Roe: Sherri Chessen Finkbine Press Photograph Archive of the Landmark Thalidomide Abortion Case that Shifted American Public Opinion on Abortion Law, 18 Photographs, 1962
- Author
- Roe v. Wade: Sherri Chessen; Reproductive Rights and Contraception
- Publication year
- 1961
- Seller catalogs
- Law, Incarceration & Public Policy, Women?s History & Feminism
Max Rambod Inc
Woodland Hills, CA, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 9 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 7.38 | £ 8.49 |
Payment methods
- Paypal
Store description
Max Rambod Inc offers thousands of historical documents, letters, manuscripts, printed ephemera, and first editions in all variety fields. Since 1991, we have served an international clientele of collectors, private institutions, and public libraries in acquisition and collection development. We are members of ILAB, ABAA, and PADA, and have furnished collections around the world with rare and unique material for over 30 years; from the personal letters of Nobel-Prize winning poets to first edition Journals of Congress to unique pamphlets promoting abolition and suffrage. We offer an unconditional guarantee for each item’s authenticity and completeness. Send us an email with a want list, and we can track down the rarest pieces for your collection…
Specialty
Books, Manuscripts, Photographs, AutographsAssociation member
Seller's business information
Max Rambod Inc.
23371 Mulholland Drive #284
Woodland Hills, CA U.S.A. 91364
Terms of sale
Max Rambod Inc offers thousands of historical documents, letters, manuscripts, printed ephemera, and first editions in all variety fields. Since 1991, we have served an international clientele of collectors, private institutions, and public libraries in acquisition and collection development. We are members of ILAB, ABAA, and PADA, and have furnished collections around the world with rare and unique material for over 30 years; from the personal letters of Nobel-Prize winning poets to first edition Journals of Congress to unique pamphlets promoting abolition and suffrage.
We offer an unconditional guarantee for each item’s authenticity and completeness. Send us an email with a want list, and we can track down the rarest pieces for your collection.
You can contact us directly at info@maxrambod.com or by calling 818-224-4555. Please visit our website for more information.
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 Max Rambod Inc, Woodland Hills, California, U.S.A., 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 ship within 2-5 business days.