[Rarebooks] fs-Trials Involving Thomas Erskine

[Joe Luttrell]

A selection of trials which we have in stock involving Thomas 
Erskine:

1.  [ERSKINE AND DAVID GARRICK'S SISTER].  The Trial between Mrs.
Docksey, (Sister of the late David Garrick, Esq.) Plaintiff, and
Mr. Stephen Panting . . . Before Baron Thomson and a Special Jury
. . . To Which Is Prefixed, The Speech of the Honourable Thomas
Erskine [etc.].  Printed and sold by Joshua Drewry [and several
others], Stafford, 1796.  Modern brown cloth, gilt, somewhat
strained and browned, but a usable copy; with biographical detail
of the jury and some counsel noted in manuscript. [72329] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=72329   $ 1,250.00

Erskine's masterful uncovering of an attempted fraud disinheriting
the sister of David Garrick, Erskine's long-time friend, briefly
reported by Coleridge in his 'Watchman', Erskine's opening
statement and cross-examination here reported at length.

2.  [ERSKINE, LORD GORDON & THE GORDON RIOTS].  The Trial of
George Gordon, Esquire, Commonly Called Lord George Gordon. For
High Treason, at the Bar of the Court of King's Bench [etc.] [Part
I]. The Third Edition [with] The Trial of George Gordon . . . The
Second Part [etc.]. Two Volumes [complete].  Sold by G. Kearsly .
. . and M. Gurney [etc.], London, 1781.  Modern wraps, slightly
dusty, else very good copies in a cloth box. [69329 L75] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=69329   $ 1,500.00

Thomas Erskine's first case argued to an English jury, in which he
miraculously secured Lord Gordon's acquittal against charges of
high treason and successfully opposed the Government's case of
constructive treason; with Joseph Gurney reporting.

3.  [ERSKINE, THOMAS].  Proceedings in Cases of High Treason,
Under a Special Commission of Oyer and Terminer, Which Was First
Opened at Hicks's Hall, Oct. 2, 1794, and Afterwards Continued at
the Sessions House, in the Old Bailey.  Printed for James Ridgeway
. . . and H.D. Symonds [etc.], London, 1794.  Modern 1/2 calf over
marbled boards, some browning; a good copy. [68403 L73L77E] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=68403   $ 1,250.00

The rare first edition reporting "one of the great speeches of
[Erskine's] career", securing Hardy's acquittal in the first major
treason trial of 1794, as the French Revolution's effects swirled
throughout England; no copies in this country in RLIN.

4.  [ERSKINE, THOMAS].  The Trial of John Horne Tooke, for High
Treason, at the Sessions House in the Old Bailey [November 17 to
22, 1794]. Taken in Short-hand, By Joseph Gurney. Two Volumes. Sold by Martha 
Gurney, Bookseller, Holborn-Hill, London, 1795. Modern blue cloth, gilt, a very 
good, clean set. [67484 L72] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=67484     $ 750.00

Erskine's successful defense (ably assisted by Horne Tooke) in "one
of the most contentious and sensational criminal prosecutions ever
mounted by the British state", effectively demolishing the Crown's
prosecution theory of 'constructive treason'.

5.  [ERSKINE, THOMAS].  The Watchman. The Collected Works of
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Edited by Lewis Patton.  Routledge & Kegan
Paul, London, 1970.  Original cloth, gilt, ex-library, a bit
marked, else a good copy. [72591]                         $ 35.00

With a report of the case of Docksey against Panting in the March
25, 1796 issue, in which Thomas Erskine represented Merial Docksey,
the sister of David Garrick, successfully securing her inheritance
under the will of her other brother, Peter.

6.  [ERSKINE, THOMAS].  The Whole Proceedings of the Trial of
Indictment Against Thomas Walker [and five others] for a Conspiracy
to Overthrow the Constitution and Government, and to Aid and Assist
the French, (being the King's Enemies) [etc.]. Cohen 12222 [only
American edition].  Printed for Samuel Harrison Smith, by W.
Woodward, Philadelphia, 1794.  Modern 3/4 crimson morocco over
marbled boards, gilt, marbled endpapers, some browning and
dustiness and a bit of foxing, but a good copy. [19703] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=19703     $ 850.00

One of Erskine's most famous cross examinations, in which he
demolished the principal witness for the Crown, saving his client
from the charge of treason; well reported by Joseph Gurney, with
Erskine's lengthy jury address also provided verbatim.

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