[Rarebooks] A Selection of Lawbook Exchange Titles

[The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.]

Friday, March 05, 2004, 5:05 PM:

The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. is pleased to offer the following items.
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1.                James Boswell on the Douglas Cause
[Boswell, James (1740-1795)]. The Essence of the Douglas Cause To
Which is Subjoined Some Observations on a Pamphlet Lately Published
Intitled Considerations on the Douglas Cause. London: Printed for J.
Wilkie, 1767. [iv], 77 pp. Octavo (5-1/2" x 8-3/4"). Pamplet with
printed wrappers bound in later quarter morocco over marbled boards,
top edge trimmed and gilded, other edges untrimmed. Some wear to edges
and spine ends, boards partially detached. Later armorial bookplate to
front pastedown. Chips to head of title page and following leaf with
minor text loss carefully repaired. Browning and light soiling to
title page and verso of rear leaf. Light foxing and toning to a few
leaves, interior otherwise fresh. $500.
* The "Douglas Cause," which involved claims on the estate of Duke
Douglas, who died without issue, was one of the most sensational
Scottish trials of the eighteenth century. "The heir-presumptive to
the Douglas estates was his sister, Lady Jane Douglas [1698-1753], who
in 1746 secretly married...Sir. John Steuart of Grandtully, by whom
she had twin sons...in 1748. These children were alleged to be
spurious, and when Lady Jane and the younger of the two boys died in
1753, the duke refused to acknowledge the survivor as his nephew; but
in 1760 he was induced...to revoke a will devising the estates to the
Hamiltons in favour of Lady Jane's son, Archibald James Edward Steuart
[1748-1827]), first Baron Douglas of Douglas.... The inheritance of
the estates was disputed by the Hamiltons, representing the male line,
but the House of Lords decided in favour of Douglas in 1769"
(Encyclopedia Britannica). This was a rancorous case, and it captured
the public's imagination. People tended to side with Douglas. When the
House of Lords decided for Douglas a mob collected in Edinburgh,
demanded a general illumination in honour of the event and, shouting
'Douglas forever!' proceeded to wreak vengeance on the houses of the
Lords who voted against him. Remembered today as the biographer of
Samuel Johnson, Boswell was a Scottish barrister with a taste for
controversial events. This trial fascinated him. Along with this and
other pamphlets, it inspired his notable play Dorando (1767). Essence
is a response to a 1767 pamphlet by a "Gentleman of Scotland."
Encyclopedia Britannica (eleventh edition) 8:444. Dictionary of
National Biography V: 1193.
(Inventory # 40691)

2.               First Edition of Burrill's Dictionary
Burrill, Alexander M. [1807-1869]. A New Law Dictionary and Glossary:
Containing Full Definitions of the Principal Terms of the Common and
Civil Law, Together With Translations and Explanations of the Various
Technical Phrases in Different Languages, Occurring in the Ancient and
Modern Reports, and Standard Treatises; Embracing Also All the
Principal Common and Civil Law Maxims. Compiled on the Basis of
Spelman's Glossary, and Adapted to the Jurisprudence of the United
States; With Copious Illustrations, Critical and Historical. New York:
John S. Voorhies, 1850-1851. Two volumes. Octavo (6-1/2" x 10").
Contemporary sheep, blind frames to boards, raised bands, red and
black lettering pieces. Moderate rubbing with wear to spine ends,
joints and corners. Minor worming to front board of Volume I, a few
small scuffs to front board of Volume II. Small owner stamps to front
boards, his signature to front pastedowns. Light foxing and occasional
browning to text block. A sound copy of a scarce title. $750.
* First edition. Burrill was a graduate of Columbia, where he studied
with James Kent. He enjoyed a high reputation as a scholarly legal
writer. The Dictionary of American Biography describes this dictionary
as "a work of very high standard, which at once took its place as
perhaps the best book of its kind so far produced. All his books were
distinguished for their graceful style and a scholarly precision and
finish which earned the unstinted commendation of the judiciary.  In
addition, their accuracy of statement and definition was fully
recognized at the time by the profession at large.": Dictionary of
American Biography 2:325. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law
5442.
(Inventory # 40812)

3.                1892 New York Digest of Building Laws
Fryer, William J., Editor. Laws Relating to Buildings in the City of
New York with Headings and Marginal Notes, Full Indexes, and Colored
Engravings. I. The Building Law. II. Regulations of the Building
Department. III. Tenement and Lodging-House Laws. IV. Law Limiting the
Height of Dwelling Houses. V. Laws Relating to the Extinction and
Prevention of Fires and Explosive and Combustible Materials in
Buildings. VI. Regulations of the Department of Public Works. VII.
State Factory Inspection Law. VIII. Mechanics' Lien Law. Also a
Complete Directory of Architects in New York City, Brooklyn, Jersey
City and Newark. New York: Published by The Record and Guide, [1892].
xliii, 251, xlv-xlix pp. With numerous illustrations and several
leaves of advertisements. Octavo (6-1/2" x 9-1/2"). Original cloth,
advertisements stamped in gilt to front and rear boards. Moderate
shelfwear, hinges cracked but secure. Early owner signature to title
page, interior otherwise clean. An interesting item. $300.
* With side-notes. Intended for contractors, this digest of building
laws includes several interesting advertisements for building
supplies, architects, attorneys, masons, plumbers, banks, insurance
companies and real estate agents.
(Inventory # 39927)

4. Hastings, Margaret. The Court of Common Pleas in Fifteenth Century
England: A Study in Legal Administration and Procedure. Cornell:
Cornell University Press, 1947. Reprint. [Hamden]: Archon Books, 1971.
xviii, 302 pp. Frontispiece. Plates. Original cloth, light shelfwear.
Owner bookplate to front pastedown, his name to front free endpaper,
internally clean. A very nice copy. $50.
(Inventory # 38950)

5.             1896 English Treatise on Land Preservation
Hunter, Sir Robert. The Preservation of Open Spaces, and of Footpaths,
and Other Rights of Way. A Practical Treatise On the Law of the
Subject. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1896. xxii, 424, [16] pp.
Includes sixteen-page publisher catalogue. Octavo (5-1/2" x 8-1/2").
Original cloth, blind rules to spine and boards. Some rubbing with
minor wear to joints and spine ends, corners bumped, front hinge
cracked but secure. Early owner's stamp to front free endpaper. Light
soiling to front endleaves, interior otherwise clean. $175.
* First edition. This treatise is interesting because it is an early
legal effort to retard the negative effects of industrialization and
urban expansion. "The object of this work is to furnish those who are
interested in preserving the open lands of the country, and the
footpaths and other means by which rural England may be enjoyed, with
a sketch of the law by which such enjoyment is secured and
regulated.": Preface, [v]. Sweet & Maxwell, A Legal Bibliography of
the British Commonwealth of Nations II:176.
(Inventory # 40419)

6.              Includes Many Legal Maxims and Terms
MacDonnell, D.E., Compiler. A Dictionary of Select and Popular
Quotations, Which Are in Daily Use: Taken From the Latin, Greek,
Spanish, and Italian Languages; Translated into English, With
Illustrations Historical and Idiomatic. Corrected, With Numerous
Additions. Philadelphia: Published by A. Finley, 1817. 312 pp. 12mo.
(4-1/4" x 6-3/4"). Contemporary sheep, gilt fillets and lettering
piece to spine, speckled edges.  Some rubbing with moderate wear to
corners and spine ends, a few minor stains to boards, hinges just
starting. Early inscription to front free endpaper, occasional light
foxing. An attractive copy. $150.
* Second American edition. This dictionary, which includes numerous
legal entries, has English translations arranged alphabetically
according to the opening words of the quotes in their original
languages. The source of each is given. McDonnell was a barrister and
member of the Middle Temple. Shaw and Shoemaker, American Bibliography
41314.
(Inventory # 40693)

7.             An "Every-Day" 1899 Treatise on Family Law
Rodgers, W.C. A Treatise on the Law of Domestic Relations. Chicago:
T.H. Flood and Company, 1899. cxxxiii, 900 pp. Octavo (6" x 9).
Contemporary buckram, raised bands, maroon lettering piece. Moderate
shelfwear, light soiling, a few small stains to boards. Faint
dampstaining to fore-edges of first few leaves. Owner signature to
front free endpaper, interior otherwise clean. $200.
* "It has been the purpose of the author to prepare a treatise on the
subject chosen, and sub-titles, reflecting the living law. (...) It
has been the purpose to treat the subject with a view to the law as it
is to-day, and as it comes up in every-day practice.": Preface.
Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School (1909) II:486.
(Inventory # 40423)

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Michael von der Linn
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