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Wall Street under Oath:

PECORA, Ferdinand.

  • Published: 1939 , New York: Simon and Schuster,
New York: Simon and Schuster,, 1939. A major influence on post-Crash Wall Street reform First edition, first printing, of Pecora's account of his role as chief counsel in the Senate hearings on the role of Wall Street in the 1929 Crash. American lawyer Ferdinand Pecora (1882-1971) served as chief counsel to the Banking and Currency Committee; his importance for the committee's work investigating banking and securities fraud was such that the hearings held between February 1933 and June 1934 became known as the 'Pecora Wall Street Investigation'. "The investigation led to the resignation of the president of National City Bank in New York; revealed that J. P. Morgan, Jr., had paid no income taxes in 1930-31; and caused Chase Manhattan Bank to separate its banking and securities activities" (Pedersen, The FDR Years, p. 206). Pecora's findings also contributed to several acts, including the Glass-Steagall Banking Act (1933), the Securities Act (1933), the Securities and Exchange Act (1934), and the Public Utility Holding Act (1935). Larson calls it "an influential book but not always objective in its presentation of the case or in its judgments". Octavo. Title page printed in blue and black. Original blue cloth, spine and front cover lettered and ruled in gilt, top edge red, yellow endpapers. Spine dulled with lettering faded, light peripheral rubbing. A very good copy. Larson 1630.

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Peter Harrington

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Since its establishment, Peter Harrington has specialised in sourcing, selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, fine bindings and library sets. Peter Harrington first began selling rare books from the Chelsea Antiques Market on London's King's Road. For the past twenty years the business has been run by Pom Harrington, Peter's son.

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All major credit cards are accepted. Both UK pounds and US dollars (exchange rate to be agreed) accepted. Books may be returned within 14 days of receipt for any reason, please notify first of returned goods.