O boji národa amerického za samostatnost [About the American people's struggle for independence]. Series title: Osvěta lidu. Bibliotéka prostonárodních přednášek [Education of the people. A library of popular lectures], vol. 1

Prague: Jan Otto, 1871. Small octavo (17.5 × 11 cm). Original printed wrappers with engraved vignette; 80 pp. An uncut and unopened copy, very good or better. First edition of a historical lecture about the American Revolution, held in the "Osvěta" ("Enlightenment") circle in Prague and published as the first volume of a series of popular educational booklets. The author, the journalist and writer Karel Tůma (1843-1917) was a noted political activist fighting for numerous liberal causes. In 1868 he was sentenced to jail for his political editorials. He also authored a biography of George Washington, published in 1872 in the same series. The rear wrapper feature a lengthy description of the progressive aims of the "Osvěta lidu" series. Outside of the Czech Republic, KVK and OCLC show copies at the Austrian National Library, British Library, Herder-Institut, Texas A&M, Utah and Yale. (Inventory #: P4347)