[Rarebooks] FS: 1st orig. American legal guide. Printed in Annapolis, 1774, by Ann Catherine Green

[Kenneth Karmiole]

(LAW) Vellette, Elie. THE DEPUTY COMMISSARY'S GUIDE WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND... Annapolis: Printed by Ann Catherine Green and Son. 1774. 8vo. (2),iv,248,(12)pp. Index. Copper engraved title page, and 1 engraved plate (a table of descents) by American engraver Thomas Sparrow. Orig. sheep, with red morocco spine label. Covers a bit rubbed and a few short splits at the hinges, but very sound. Not rebacked as usually seen. Some occasional text soiling and light browning.                 $1,750.00 (trade discount allowed)
This is a book of many "firsts." It is the first American book on the subject of wills, and the first original American legal guide. It was printed by an American woman, Ann Green, who succeeded her husband Jonas Green upon his death and became the public printer of Maryland. The engraved title page by Sparrow is the only one found in a colonial Maryland press. This book was published by subscription. See Wroth. MARYLAND IMPRINTS 338. Evans 13742.

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