Description:

Alexandre Dumas
[Naples, Italy], ca. 1862-1863
Alexandre Dumas Handwritten Signed Manuscript on Prison Reform in Italy
AMS
Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870). Autograph Manuscript Signed, "Al. Dumas", 6pp, in French, on pale blue watermarked laid paper, 8.5" x 10.5", [Naples, Italy], circa 1862-1863. Expected folds and creases. Some chipping and small tears at edges. Consistent minor ink haloing with a few spots of ink splatter. In very good plus to near fine condition.

A manuscript on prison reform entitled "Aux Forcats Du Bagne De Nirida" [To the Convicts of Nirida Prison]. It presumably contributed to the Naples newspaper of which Dumas was founder and editor, L'Indipendente [The Independent]. The newspaper supported the cause of Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882), who Dumas befriended while traveling throughout Italy during the early 1860s in an attempt to aid in Italian unification. It was Garibaldi himself who suggested the name of the newspaper to Dumas. The first issue of the newspaper came out on October 11, 1860.

The manuscript, in part and translated to English: "However great be the crime he has committed, man never ceases to be man, for God has given him repentance which, if he is sincere, makes the guilty one more pleasing to the eye than the just person who has never sinned. A great poet named Shakespeare has said, 'There is but one crime which is without pardon because it has no repentance - it is suicide'. They are criminals who, belonging to the Bourgeoisie or the Nobility have arrived by favor or power of money, never to work in the least...or not to be shut up like their colleagues in the prisons."

Dumas goes on to propose three improvements to the prison system. The first of which was to allow the prisoners to read the newspaper during their relaxation time. He then offers to donate "a little library of fifty volumes chosen from the best historians, philosophers, preachers and even Haitian poets". The third suggestion was a weekly prize of five francs to reward good behavior to be distributed to five prisoners every Sunday: "...write me - and...I will deposit...in the governor's hands the good conduct prize for the first six months - five francs per week is not much, I know, but what would we have - If I were richer, I would do more."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 10.5"
  • Medium: AMS

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