A Widow Against the Courts

Trenton: Privately Published, 1939. First Edition. Octavo. Gilt-decorated cloth (hardcover); 162,(2)pp. Stamped "Complimentary Copy," with presentation inscription from the author to a Samuel D. Lenox, dated November 28, 1939. Title page foxed, with scattered toning to contents; light external wear and soil; Very Good.

An uncommon first-hand account by a self-professed victim of legal treachery. Mrs. Vaughn recounts her adventures with the New Jersey civil court system following the death of her husband and the challenging of the will by his children. In her epilogue, Vaughn concludes, "I wish to remind the reader that all my trouble came (truncated) as the result of lawyers, for believing that they are supposed to advise one in the best way, I foolilshly relied upon them." Based on the author's somewhat obsessive tone and the trial transcripts recorded here, however, it is unclear whether it was Mrs. Vaughn, or the lawyers she hired, who had the stronger grievance. The inscribee was the principal of the prominent Trenton law firm Lenox, Giordano, Devlin, Delehey & Socey (a firm apparently not involved in any of Mrs. Vaughn's various civil actions). (Inventory #: 84646)