Hearst (born 1954), granddaughter of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, was propelled into infamy following her kidnapping by the radical group the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974. After months of indoctrination—brainwashing, according to some—Hearst took up her captors’ cause, attempting to extort ransom from her family, posing with weapons for propaganda photos, and participating in an armed bank robbery during which a security camera captured her brandishing a weapon and threatening the customers, “Up against the wall, motherfuckers!” She was captured in 1975, tried in the following year, found guilty, and sentenced to seven years in prison. Her sentence was commuted by Jimmy Carter in 1979, and she was granted a full pardon by Bill Clinton on the final day of his presidency in 2001. Three items: Hardcover Latin textbook, First Year Latin (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1966), hardcover, 428 pages, 6 x 8.75, signed in ballpoint on the inside front cover “Patty Hearst,” Hearst signing again twice on page 119 and adding at several points throughout the book scribbles and sketches (including flowers and a bumblebee) and “defacing” images of statues with red lips, eyeglasses, etc.; a 1978 TLS signed “Patty Hearst,” sending thanks for support, in part: “To know that you are concerned enough about my welfare and the recent ruling of the court to take the time to write has helped me a great deal”; and an original unsigned FBI wanted poster featuring Hearst and fellow fugitives William and Emily Harris. Accompanied by a 1981 TLS of provenance from San Francisco bookseller David C. Park, explaining that the book was originally purchased as part of the library of Hearst’s parents, and that so “we should not contribute to the Hearsts’ discomfiture,” all of the books originally belonging to the Hearst children would be destroyed, except for “three books only … bearing Patty Hearst’s signiture [sic],” and specifying the present book. In fine condition overall, with mild handling wear to book and scribbles as noted, and a few creases, tears, spots, and light wrinkling to poster. R&R COA.
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