[Rarebooks] fs-A Selection from Stock, with Images

[Joe Luttrell]

A selection of works which we have in stock, with images of them;
for others, please feel free to browse our web site, where you
may search our entire inventory by any word or phrase:
www.meyerbos.com

1.  [AMERICAN PRISON REFORM].  First [through Fourth] Annual
Report[s] of the Board of Managers of the Prison Discipline
Society, Boston, June 2, 1826 [through 1829].  Published by Perkins
and Marvin [imprint and editions vary], Boston, 1829-30.
Cloth-backed boards, quite worn, some foxing; a sound copy. [65967
L65] PHOTO: http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=65967
                                                         $ 350.00

The first four of the pioneering Society's reports, ones "serv[ing]
as the penal textbooks for governors, legislators, and prison
officers throughout the country"; Louis Dwight, its founder in
1825, was America's first national prison reform figure.

2.  BINGHAM, Peregrine.  The Law of Infancy and Coverture. Second
American Edition from the Last London Edition. With Notes and
References to English and American Cases.  Chauncey Goodrich,
Burlington, 1849.  Modern calf, original label preserved, a good
clean copy. [65884 XYL64L76E] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=65884     $ 450.00

The first work published in this country devoted to the law of
infants, coupled with the first work exclusively treating of
coverture, both with substantial American notes, praised by
Holdsworth for their superior analysis of a difficult area.

3.  CHITTY, Joseph.  A Treatise on the Law of Bills of Exchange,
Checks on Bankers, Promissory Notes, Bankers' Cash Notes and
Bank-Notes. Cohen 2522.  Re-printed for P. Byrne, Philadelphia,
1803.  Contemporary sheep, stained and chafed, foxing, yet a good
copy. [66082 L66] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=66082     $ 650.00

First American edition of Chitty's first book, published in London
in 1799 when he was 23, praised by Holdsworth and elsewhere called
a "first-class work", destined to become exceptionally popular,
twelve American editions appearing by 1860.

4.  COCKBURN, [Henry Thomas], Lord.  Life of Lord Jeffrey, With a
Selection from His Correspondence. Two Volumes.  Adam and Charles
Black, Edinburgh, 1852.  Original brown cloth, gilt, the spines
faded, else a fresh set. [65881 L64] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=65881     $ 450.00

Presentation copy of the first edition of Lord Cockburn's biography
of his lifelong friend and professional colleague, six lines
(entirely in Cockburn's hand) "To His Niece Mrs Dunlop / from her
friend the / author / H Cockburn / 13 March / 1852".

5.  [COKE ON LITTLETON].  Edwardo Coke.  The First Part of the
Institutes of the Laws of England . . . Revised and Corrected, With
Additions of Notes . . . By Francis Hargrave and Charles Butler,
Including also The Notes of Chief Justice Hale [etc.]. Two Volumes.
Cohen 9452.  Robert H. Small, Minor Street, Philadelphia, 1853.
Modern buckram, a good clean set. [66113 L67L69EL72EL76E] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=66113     $ 450.00

One of only two American editions of one of the five greatest
English law books, containing the notes of Hargrave and Butler
praised by Maitland, particularly for their value for the study of
English medieval law; with the notes of Lord Nottingham.

6.  FINCH, Henrie.  Law, or, A Discourse Thereof, in foure Bookes.
Written in [Law] French by Sir Henrie Finch . . . And done into
English by the same Author. S.T.C. 10871.  Printed for the Societie
of Stationers, London, 1627.  Contemporary calf, rebacked, showing
wear, but a clean usable copy. [65973 YL65] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=65973   $ 1,500.00

First edition in English of "the pioneer book of the institutes of
English law", incorporating Finch's intervening reflections
following the treatise's original appearance in Law French, and
becoming the edition to influence subsequent writers.

7.  FORTESCUE, John.  A learned commendation of the politique lawes
of England: wherein by most pitthy reasons and evident
demonstrations they are plainelye proved farre to excell aswell the
Civile Lawes of the Empiere [etc.]. Beale T358; S.T.C. 11195.
Imprinted . . . in Fletestrete . . . by Richarde Tottell [etc.],
London, 1573.  Modern calf, title dusty and repaired, cut close; a
sound copy. [66069 L66] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=66069   $ 2,500.00

Second issuance of the first English translation of a work placed
"among the classics of English constitutional theory", written in
the late 15th century, highly popular, and the first work to
examine extensively trial by jury and the Inns of Court.

8.  HALE, Matthew.  History of the Common Law [etc.] [with] An
Analysis of the Civil Part of the Law. The Fourth Edition.  Printed
by W. Strahan and M. Woodfall . . . for T. Cadell [etc.], London,
1779.  Modern cloth-backed marbled boards, a bit embrowned, but
sound. [66012 L65L68EL73EL77E] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=66012     $ 650.00

The best early edition of Hale's classic works, prepared by Charles
Runnington who (in Holdsworth's words) "prefixed a life of Hale,
and added very extensive notes"; Hale's 'Analysis', though not
called for by the title page, is appended.

9.  [HINDU LAW].  Nathaniel Brassay Halhed (ed. and trans.).  A
Code of Gentoo Laws, or Ordinations of the Pundits. From a Persian
Translation, Made From the Original, Written in the Shanscrit
Language.  n.p., London, 1776.  Contemporary boards, rebacked, a
lovely ?large-paper copy. [65854 YL64L74] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=65854     $ 850.00

First edition of the first work in English describing the
principles of Hindu jurisprudence, digesting Sanscrit law;
translated by Halhed, the English orientalist and the first
European to perceive the philosophical affinities of Sanscrit and
Latin.

10.  HUME, David.  Commentaries on the Law of Scotland, Respecting
Crimes. With a Supplement, by Benjamin Robert Bell [etc.]. Two
Volumes.  Bell & Bradfute, 12, Bank Street, Edinburgh, 1844.
Contemporary prize calf, rebacked, quite rubbed; a handsome set.
[66142 L67] PHOTO:
http://www.meyerbos.com/bookListing.cgi?bookNo=66142     $ 450.00

The received edition of the pre-eminent treatise of Scots criminal
law, undertaken by David Hume, nephew of the philosopher, whose
formative influence is evident; still "the starting point of an
examination of matters of principle" in that subject.


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