American Law - 19th Century
An Early Legal Guide to the Petroleum Industry Shapley, Ezekiel Cooper, Jr. [1841-1919]. Legal Guide for Oil Companies and Stockholders; Including a Digest of the Mining Laws of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Fowler & Moon, 1865. [iii], 4-34 pp. Advertisements to rear wrapper and verso of front wrapper. Octavo (9" x 5-3/4")..... More
The First American Treatise on Contracts Chipman, Daniel [1765-1850]. An Essay on the Law of Contracts, for the Payment of Specifick Articles. Middlebury, VT: Published by the Author, 1822. xvi, [17]-224 pp. Octavo (8" x 5"). Contemporary calf, blind rules to boards, blind fillets and lettering piece to spine. Minor..... More
"Justice Made Cheap, Speedy, And Brought to Every Man's Door" [C] [Higgins, Jesse (b. 1763), Attributed]. Sampson Against the Philistines, Or the Reformation of Lawsuits; And Justice Made Cheap, Speedy, And Brought Home to Every Man's Door: Agreeable to the Principles of the Ancient Trial by Jury, Before the Same..... More
A Case of Arson in Gloucester, Massachusetts [Trial]. Looker-on in Vienna. Trial of Marshall and Ross for Barn-Burning: A Brief Exposure of a Systematic Attempt to Mislead the Public Mind, And Create a False Sympathy in Behalf of Convicted Incendiaries. [Gloucester, MA: S.n.], 1859. 20 pp. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5-1/2")..... More
A Rare Account of a Forgery and Swindling Case Tried Before James Kent [Trial]. Edwards, Monroe [1808-1847], Defendant. The Celebrated and Extraordinary Trial of Col. Monroe Edwards, For Forgery and Swindling: In the Court of Oyer and Terminer, New York, Before Judge Kent, On the 6th Day of June, 1842..... More
"One of the Notable Early American Law Books" Stearns, Asahel [1774-1839]. A Summary of the Law and Practice of Real Actions; With an Appendix of Practical Forms. Boston: Published by Cummings, Hilliard, & Co., 1824. xxx, [2], 528 pp. Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, raised bands and lettering piece..... More
First Edition of the First Standard American Treatise on Railway Law, Inscribed by the Author Redfield, Isaac F. [1804-1876]. A Practical Treatise Upon the Law of Railways. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1858. 8, lxxxviii, 736 pp. Main text preceded by 8 pp. publisher catalogue. Octavo (9-1/2" x 5-3/4"). Contemporary..... More
The First California Law Compilation [California]. Garfielde, S., Compiler. Snyder, F.A., Compiler. Compiled Laws of the State of California: Containing all the Acts of the Legislature of a Public and General Nature, Now in Force, Passed at the Sessions of 1850-51-52-53. To Which are Prefixed the Declaration of Independence, The..... More
First Edition of One of America's "Great Textbooks" on Bankruptcy Collier, W[illia]m. Miller [1867-1956]. The Law of Bankruptcy and the National Bankruptcy Act of 1898. A Treatise on the Principles and Practice of the Law of Bankruptcy as Embodied in the New National Bankruptcy Act. With Citations to All Applicable..... More
Inscribed by Holmes Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. Speeches. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1900. [vi], 86 pp. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"). Original printed paper-covered boards, deckle edges. Moderate rubbing with some wear to joints, spine ends and corners, which are bumped, tiny stain to front board, rear free endpaper..... More
"It is Held in the Highest Estimation" Sugden, Edward Burtenshaw [1781-1875]. Ingraham, Edward D. [1793-1854], Editor. A Practical Treatise on Powers. With Notes and References to American Decisions. Philadelphia: Printed and Published by Abraham Small, 1823. xxxii, 703 pp. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5-1/4"). Recent period-style calf, blind fillets to boards..... More
Signed by Greenleaf Greenleaf, Simon [1783-1853]. A Discourse Pronounced at the Inauguration of the Author as Royall Professor of Law in Harvard University, August 26, 1834. Cambridge: James Munroe and Co., 1834. 28 pp. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5-1/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet sumptuously bound into recent period-style calf, gilt and blind panels..... More
Presentation Copy Inscribed by Holmes Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. Speeches. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1891. [v], 55 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5-1/2"). Original cloth, title in gilt to front board, top-edge gilt, deckle fore and bottom-edges. Light soiling and some discoloration to boards, spine darkened, rubbing to extremities..... More
The Final Edition of Kent's Commentaries Kent, James [1763-1847]. Gould, John M. [1848-1909], Editor. Holmes, Oliver Wendell [1841-1935], Editor. Commentaries on American Law. Fourteenth Edition. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1896. Four volumes. Octavo (9-1/2" x 6"). Original cloth, blind frames to boards, red and black lettering pieces to spines..... More
The Preparation of Voters Brinley, Charles A. [1847-1919]. Citizenship: Some Suggestions as to the Obligations, The Difficulties and the Preparation of Voters. Philadelphia, Porter & Coates, 1893. 44 pp. Octavo (9" x 6"). Printed stiff wrappers, deckle edges. Light soiling, a few chips to edges of wrappers, heavier chipping to..... More
A Rare Guide to the 1841 Bankruptcy Act [Bankruptcy]. [Bicknell, George Augustus]. A Commentary on the Bankrupt Law of 1841, Showing its Operation and Effect. By a Member of the Bar of New-York. To Which is Annexed, An Authentic Copy of the Bankruptcy Act. New York: H. Anstice, Stationer, 1841..... More
Written to Clear the Names of Suspected Nantucket Bank Robbers Coffin, William. Gardner, Albert. A Narrative of the Robbery of the Nantucket Bank. Compiled from Original Documents. Nantucket, MA: Printed by Henry Clapp, 1816. 69 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 4-3/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into nineteenth-century three-quarter calf over marbled boards..... More
A Man of the Border States Proposes Constitution Amendments to End the Civil War [Broadside]. "Curtius" Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, With Reasons Why They Should be Adopted. [N.p.: S.n., 1861]. 17" x 11" broadside, untrimmed left-hand margin, text in three columns below headline. Signed in..... More
First-Edition Copy of a Report of Dred Scott v. Sandford with a Notable Association [Trial]. [Dred Scott]. Howard, Benjamin C. [1791-1872], Reporter. A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, And the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, In the Case of Dred Scott Versus John..... More
Raped Under Anesthesia by Her Dentist [Trial]. Beale, Stephen T., Defendant. Trial and Conviction of Dr. Stephen T. Beale; With the Letters of Chief Justice Lewis, And Judges Black and Woodward, On His Case. Interesting Ether Cases, And the Letters of Prof. Gibson, Prof. Wiltbank, Wm. Badger, Esq., W.L. Hirst..... More
Du Ponceau's Translation of De Rebus Bellicus Bynkershoek, Cornelius van [1673-1743]. Du Ponceau, Peter Stephen [1760-1844], Editor and Translator. A Treatise on the Law of War: Being the First Book of His Quaestiones Juris Publici. Translated From the Original Latin with Notes, by Peter Stephen du Ponceau. Philadelphia: Published by..... More
A New York Lawyer Re-Establishes His Practice in Ohio [Manuscript Archive]. [Scott, Lyman, Jr.]. [Documents Concerning Scott's Application to Practice Law in Ohio]. Coshocton County, OH and Cattaraugus County, NY, 1832-1836. Six documents, one franked on verso, sizes ranging from 4-1/2" x 8" to 12-1/2" x 7-1/2." Moderate toning, fold..... More
The Wentworths Kill the Tax Collector: McDade 1075 [Trials]. Wentworth, Asa, Defendant. Wentworth, Henry, Defendant. Wentworth, Horace, Defendant. The Parker Murder. Manchester's Great Mystery. The story of the murder of Jonas L. Parker, March 26, 1845, With an Account of the Efforts to Discover his Murderers, And a Report of..... More
First Edition of a Standard American Treatise on Admiralty Law Benedict, Erastus C. [1800-1880]. The American Admiralty: Its Jurisdiction and Practice with Practical Forms and Directions. New York: Banks, Gould & Co., 1850. xiii, 651 pp. Octavo (9" x 6"). Recent period-style calf (by Phil Dusel), red and black lettering..... More
Beach on Contributory Negligence Beach, Charles Fisk, Jr. [1854-1934]. Counter Negligence: A Treatise on the Law of Contributory Negligence or Negligence as a Defense. New York: Baker, Voorhis & Company, 1892. cxiv, 638 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-3/4"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands and red and black..... More
Landmark Textbook on Contracts Parsons, Theophilus [1797-1882]. Kellen, William V. [1852-1942], Editor. The Law of Contracts. With Additions by William V. Kellen. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1883. Three volumes. ccxxii, 609; xx, 945; x, 722 pp. Octavo (9" x 6"). Contemporary sheep, blind frames to boards, raised bands and..... More
Thompson on Negligence Thompson, Seymour D. [1842-1904]. The Law of Negligence in Relations Not Resting in Contract. Illustrated by Leading Cases and Notes. San Francisco: Bancroft-Whitney Company, 1886. Two volumes. clxxviii, 624; iv, [625]-1394 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-3/4"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands and red and..... More
An Indispensable Work for Busy Lawyers Jones, Leonard A. [1832-1909]. Forms in Conveyancing, Comprising Precedents for Ordinary Use, And Clauses Adapted to Special and Unusual Cases. With Practical Notes. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1886. v, [1], 826, [4] pp. Octavo (9-1/4" x 5-3/4"). Contemporary sheep, blind..... More
The "Best English Treatise on the Subject" Collyer, John [1801-1870]. Collyer, John [1801-1870], Notes. Phillips, Willard [1784-1873], Notes. Pickering, Edward [d.1876], Notes. Barbour, Oliver L. [1811-1889], Notes. A Practical Treatise on the Law of Partnership. From the Last London Edition, Containing the American Notes of the Former Edition by Willard..... More
An Important English Treatise on the Law of Contracts [C] Comyn, Samuel. Huntington, Thomas, Editor. The Law of Contracts and Promises upon Various Subjects and with Various Persons as Settled in the Action of Assumpsit. In Three Parts. From the Last London Edition; With Notes, And References to American Authorities..... More
Oliver's Forms Oliver, Benjamin L. [1788-1843]. Forms in Chancery, Admiralty, And at Common Law; Adapted to the Practice of the Federal and State Courts. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1842. xvi, 503 [i.e. 519] pp. Octavo (9 x 5-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, lettering piece and..... More
A Practical Handbook on Pleading Oliver, Benjamin L. [1788-1843]. Forms of Practice; or American Precedents, in Personal and Real Actions, Interspersed with Annotations. Hallowell, ME: Masters, Smith & Co., 1851. xvi, 664 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, lettering piece and blind fillets to spine..... More
Bigelow on Bills, Notes, And Checks Bigelow, Melville M. [1846-1921]. The Law of Bills, Notes, And Checks Illustrated by Leading Cases. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1880. xliii, 692 pp. Octavo (9-1/4" x 5-3/4"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands, red and black lettering pieces and blind fillets..... More
Fraudulent Conveyances at the End of the Nineteenth Century Wait, Frederick S. [1851-1910]. A Treatise on Fraudulent Conveyances and Creditors' Bills. New York: Baker, Voorhis & Co., 1897. lxvii, 834 pp. Octavo (9-1/4" x 6"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands, blind fillets and red and black lettering..... More
Reflects Changes Introduced by the New York Code of Procedure Abbott, Austin [1831-1896]. Trial Evidence: Rules of Evidence Applicable on the The Trial of Civil Actions (Including Both Causes of Action and Defenses) at Common Law, in Equity, and Under the Codes of Procedure. New York: Baker, Voorhis & Co...... More
An Early Treatise on Personal Injury Buswell, Henry F. The Civil Liability for Personal Injuries Arising Out of Negligence. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1893. lxxxv, 463 pp. Octavo (9-1/4" x 6"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands, blind rules and red and black lettering pieces to spine..... More
A Nineteenth-Century Authority on American Criminal Law Bishop, Joel Prentiss [1814-1901]. Prosecution and Defence: Practical Directions and Forms for the Grand-Jury Room, Trial Court, And Court of Appeal in Criminal Causes, With Full Citations of Precedents from the Reports and Other Books, And a General Index to the Author's Series..... More
A Classic Treatise on Mortgages Jones, Leonard A. [1832-1909]. A Treatise on the Law of Mortgages on Personal Property. Revised and Enlarged. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888. xvi, 804, [1] pp. Includes a one-page publisher advertisement. Octavo (9" x 6"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands and..... More
"A Very Good Digest" Hilliard, Francis [1806-1878]. A Treatise on the Law of Sales of Personal Property. New York: Halstead and Voorhies, 1841. xxxii, 392 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, lettering piece and blind fillets to spine. Minor staining, spotting and a few nicks..... More
A Popular Nineteenth-Century Maine JP Manual [C] Kingsbury, Benjamin. The Justice of the Peace: Designed to be a Guide to Justices of the Peace, For the State of Maine. Portland: Published by Sanborn & Carter, 1852. viii, [9]-407 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, lettering..... More
A "Practical" Guide to Trial Practice Reed, John C. [1836-1910]. Conduct of Lawsuits Out of and in Court: Practically Teaching, And Copiously Illustrating, The Preparation and Forensic Management of Litigated Cases of All Kinds. Being a New Edition of "Practical Suggestions," Revised and Rewritten. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1885..... More
Uncommon Nineteenth-Century Maine Guide to Civil Procedure Spaulding, Joseph Whitman. The Practice in Civil Actions and Proceedings at Law in the Courts Where the Common Law Practice is in Vogue; With Amendments Thereto Necessary to Incorporate the Provisions of the Statutes of Maine. Portland: Dresser, McLellan & Company, 1881. xxxvii..... More
Schouler's Law of Executors and Administrators Schouler, James. [1839-1920]. A Treatise on the Law of Executors and Administrators. Boston: The Boston Book Company, 1889. lxxi, 718 pp. Octavo (9" x 6"). Contemporary law calf, blind rules to boards, raised bands and red and black lettering pieces to spine, blind tooling..... More
Story on Equity Pleadings Story, Joseph [1779-1845]. Gould, John M. [1848-1909], Editor. Commentaries on Equity Pleadings, And the Incidents Thereof, According to the Practice of the Courts of Equity of England and America. Revised, Corrected and Enlarged. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1892. xlviii, 823 pp. Octavo (6" x 9")..... More
The First Important Work on Evidence Published in America Greenleaf, Simon [1783-1853]. Crosswell, Simon Greenleaf, Editor. A Treatise on the Law of Evidence. Revised with Large Additions. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1883. Three volumes. lxxxiv, 753; lxxxix, 683; xxix, 577 pp. Octavo (9" x 6"). Contemporary law calf, blind..... More
He Poisoned His Wife with Arsenic [Trial]. Green, Henry G., Defendant. Trial of Henry G. Green, For the Murder of His Wife. New York: Printed for the Publisher, 1845. 32 pp. Text to p. 22 in parallel columns. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet, woodcut portrait frontispiece of Green..... More
"Escaped from the Custody of the Undersigned" [Broadside]. [Escaped Prisoner]. [New Hampshire]. $200.00 Reward! Two Hundred Dollars Will Be Paid for the Arrest and Delivery to the Subscriber of Joseph Frederick Emerson. Concord, NH: June 21, 1855. 9-3/4" x 13-1/2" broadside. Light browning, vertical and horizontal fold lines. A well-preserved..... More
A Notable Treatise on Contracts [C] Smith, John William [1809-1845]. Symons, Jelinger C. [18090-1860], Editor. The Law of Contracts: A Course of Lectures. With Notes and Appendix, By Jelinger C. Symons, Esq. With Additional Notes and References to Both English And American Decisions. Philadelphia: T. & J.W. Johnson, 1853. xxiv..... More
Well-Preserved Copy of Kent's Commentaries Kent, James [1763-1847]. [Kent, William (1802-1861), Editor]. [Eaton, Dorman Bridgeman, Editor]. Commentaries on American Law. New York: Published by William Kent, 1851. Four volumes. Star-paged to the second edition (1832). Octavo (9-1/2" x 5-3/4"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, raised bands and red and..... More
Early American Edition of Warren's Law Studies Warren, Samuel [1807-1877]. A Popular and Practical Introduction to Law Studies. New York, Printed and Published at the Law Press, 1837. xii, 241 pp. 12mo (7-1/2" x 4-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, lettering piece and blind fillets to spine, blind tooling..... More
"One of the Notable Early American Law Books" Stearns, Asahel [1774-1839]. A Summary of the Law and Practice of Real Actions with an Appendix of Practical Forms. With Additions. Hallowell: Glazier, Masters & Co. 1831. 5, [vii]-xxxiv, 495 pp. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind fillets to boards, calf..... More
"No Practical Lawyer Can Dispense With this Book" Chitty, Joseph [1766-1841]. Dunlap, John A. [1793?-1858], Editor. Ingraham, Edward [1793-1854], Editor. A Treatise on the Parties to Actions, The Forms of Actions, And on Pleading, With Second and Third Volumes Containing Precedents of Pleadings. Fifth American, From the Fourth London Edition..... More
First American Edition of Montefiore's Fascinating Commercial Dictionary Montefiore, Joshua [1762-1843]. A Commercial Dictionary: Containing the Present State of the Mercantile Law, Practice and Custom. With Very Considerable Additions Relative to the Laws, Usages, and Practice of the United States. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by James Humphreys, 1804. Three volumes..... More
An Entertaining Book on Wills Proffatt, John. The Curiosities and Law of Wills. San Francisco: Sumner, Whitney & Co., 1876. 216 pp. 12mo. (6-1/2" x 4-1/4"). Original cloth, gilt title to front board and spine. Moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners, moderate toning to..... More
Documents from the Settlement of a New Hampshire Estate [Manuscript Archive]. [New Hampshire]. [Wallace Family]. [Deeds, Receipts, Estate Inventories and Other Legal Documents]. Londonderry, NH, 1766, 1782-1801. 17 documents, 7 are 12" x 7-1/2" bifolia and single sheets, 1 is a 15" x 12" sheet, others range in size from..... More
An Important Event in the History of Freedom of the Press and Abolition [Trial]. Lincoln, William S., Reporter. Trow, John Fowler, Editor. Alton Trials: Of Winthrop S. Gilman, Who Was Indicted with Enoch Long, Amos B. Roff, George H. Walworth, George H. Whitney, William Harned, John S. Noble, James Morss..... More
Beware of Traveling Salesmen and Agents! [Harrington, Bates]. How 'Tis Done: A Thorough Ventilation of the Numerous Schemes Conducted by Wandering Canvassers, Together with the Various Advertising Dodges for the Swindling of the Public. Syracuse, NY: W.I. Pattison, 1890. 283 pp. 9 Woodcut plates, 3 large woodcut text illustrations. Octavo..... More
1857 Rules of the Probate Court of Lincoln County, Maine [Broadside]. Fales, Bader, Judge. Courts of Probate. State of Maine. Lincoln. N.p.: S.n, 1857. 9-1/2" x 7-1/2" broadside with two-part text, first part in a single column, second in parallel columns, both parts below headlines, and enclosed in enclosed in..... More
A Notable Philadelphia Lawyer, Abolitionist and Man of Letters Brown, David Paul [1795-1872]. [5-1/2" x 4" Carte-de-Visite Mounted on Inscribed 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Card]. [Philadelphia?, c. 1870]. Light toning to card, small nick to upper left corner. A well-preserved item. $250. * The annotation reads (in part): "Truly & Sincerely..... More
A Notable Critique of Philadelphia Property Taxes Carey, Mathew [1760-1839]. Cursory Reflexions on the System of Taxation, Established in the City of Philadelphia: With a Brief Sketch of Its Unequal and Unjust Operation. [Philadelphia]: Printed for the Author [by Robert Carr], 1806. 47 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5"). Disbound stab-stitched..... More
A Pennsylvanian His Own Lawyer A Gentleman of the Bar. The Pocket Companion; Or, Every Man His Own Lawyer: Containing a Variety of Precedents, Laid Down in So Plain a Manner, That the Farmer, Mechanic, Apprentice, Or School Boy, Can Draw Any Instrument of Writing Without the Assistance of an..... More
Holmes Describes His Approach to the Law in a Letter Written in May 1898 [Manuscript]. Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. [Castletown, Lady Clare (1853-1927)]. [Autograph Letter Signed "H" to Lady Clare Castleton, Boston (?), May 18, 1898]. 8" x 5" bifolium, content filling rectos and versos of both leaves. Faint..... More
An Ambitious Poem by a Nineteenth-Century Baltimore Lawyer Dimmock, Charles Henry (1831-1873). The Modern: A Fragment. Richmond, Published by J. W. Davies & Sons. 1866. 24pp. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5-3/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers. Light rubbing to extremities, moderate toning and foxing to text, binding stitch broke, several leaves loose..... More
Holmes Writes Lady Castletown to Share Thoughts About His Recent Reading and an Anecdote Involving Richard Harding Davis and Charles Dana Gibson [Manuscript]. Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. [Castletown, Lady Clare (1853-1927)]. [Autograph Letter Signed "Yours, OWH" to Lady Clare Castletown, Boston, January 21, 1898]. 10" x 8" bifolium, Massachusetts..... More
An Accused Adulterer Defended by Richard Henry Dana [Trial]. Kalloch, I[saac] S[mith] [1831-1887], Defendant. Only Full Report of the Trial of Rev. I.S. Kalloch on Charge of Adultery: Complete History of the Affair, Doings of the Church, Kalloch's Pulpit Defence, Arrest, Arraignment, Trial, And Result. With Accurate Portraits of Kalloch..... More
A Volume of Poems by a Distinguished 19th-Century Pennsylvania Lawyer [Miller, Elihu Spencer (1817-1879)]. Caprices. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1849. 154 pp. Octavo (8" x 5"). Later three-quarter morocco over paper boards, top edge gilt, deckle fore and bottom edges. Negligible light rubbing to spine ends and corners..... More
![The Common Law, First Edition, Boston, 1881 [with] Holmes, ALS. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](/pictures/thumb/71619.JPG?v=1612814802)
First Edition of The Common Law in the Uncommon Green Cloth Binding with a Holmes Autograph Letter, Signed Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. The Common Law. Boston: Little, Brown, And Company, 1881. [i]-xvi, 422 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5-1/4"). Original green pebbled cloth, blind double frames to boards, gilt title..... More
Only American Edition of An Important Treatise on Landlord and Tenant Woodfall, William [d. 1806]. The Law of Landlord and Tenant; To Which is Added, An Appendix of Precedents. From the Fourth London Edition, With Considerable Alterations and Additions. New York: Published by Robert M'Dermut and D.D. Arden, 1816. xiii..... More
A Kentucky Digest Based on Blackstone Humphreys, Charles [1775-1830]. [Blackstone, Sir William (1723-1780)]. A Compendium of the Common Law in Force in Kentucky, To Which is Prefixed a Brief Summary of the Laws of the United States. Lexington, KY: Printed by William Gibbes Hunt, 1822. xi, [1], 548, [1], 542-594..... More
"More a Struggle Between Two Families Than an Affair of the State": McDade 60 [Trial]. Baker, Abner, Defendant. Life and Trial of Dr. Abner Baker, Jr., (A Monomaniac) Who Was Executed October 3, 1845, For the Alleged Murder of His Brother-In-Law, Daniel Bates; Including Letters and Petitions in Favor of..... More
Copy of the Final Antebellum Edition of Virginia Statutes With a Document Concerning the Custody of a Slave [Virginia]. The Code of Virginia: With the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States; and the Declaration of Rights and Constitution of Virginia. Published Pursuant to an Act of the..... More
Handsomely Bound First Edition of One of Story's Most Important Treatises Story, Joseph [1779-1845]. Commentaries on the Conflict of Laws, Foreign and Domestic, in Regard to Contracts, Rights, and Remedies, and Especially in Regard to Marriages, Divorces, Wills, Successions, and Judgments. Boston: Hilliard, Gray and Company, 1834. xxv, [1], 557..... More
"The Female Murderess!": Driven by the Culture of Slavery (Two Full-Page Woodcut Illustrations) [Murder]. [Walters, Ann Smith (1812-1844)]. [Dudley, Enos G. (d.1849)]. [Runkle, Mary]. Life and Confession of Ann Walters, The Female Murderess! Also the Execution of Enos G. Dudley, At Haverhill, N.H., May 23d, 1849. To Which is Added..... More
"The Terrible Fate of the Trusting and Unfortunate Jennie E. Cramer": McDade 666 [Murder]. [Malley, James, Defendant]. The Beautiful Victim of the Elm City. Being a Full, Fair, And Impartial Narrative of All that is Known of the Terrible Fate of the Trusting and Unfortunate Jennie E. Cramer: Giving All..... More
"One of Those Legal Marathons Peculiar to the United States": McDade 576 [Trial]. Kring, Charles F., Defendant. [Kring, Eugene]. Love and Law, In Two Parts. Part I. The Only True History of the Killing of Mrs. Dora C.J. Broemser, by Chas. F. Kring: Together with the Autobiography of the Latter..... More
Fatally Struck by a Loggerhead: McDade 746 [Trial]. Philips, Henry. Trial of Henry Philips for the Murder of Gaspard Dennegri [sic]. Supreme Judicial Court, Boston, January 9, 1817. [(Boston): Printed by Thomas G. Bangs, (1817)]. 24 pp. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in plain wrappers. Chipping and a few..... More
An Axe-Murder in Camden, NJ: McDade 494 [Trial]. Hunter, Benjamin F. [d. 1879], Defendant. Hunter-Armstrong Tragedy. The Great Trial. Conviction of Benj. F. Hunter for the Murder of John M. Armstrong. Philadelphia: Barclay & Company, 1878. [ii], 19-86 pp. Main text in parallel columns. 7 full-page woodcuts. Octavo (9-1/2" x...... More
An Invitation to Spend an Afternoon with Dr. Holmes Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Sr. [1809-1894]. [Autograph Letter, Signed, Boston, February 7, 1883]. Single-page letter on Holmes's 6-1/4" x 4-1/2" 296 Beacon Street stationary in attractive glazed wood 10" x 9" frame. Light toning to letter, faint fold line through center, a...... More
Antebellum Virginia Docket Book [Manuscript]. [Virginia]. [Justice's Docket Book, Amherst County, Virginia, 1850-1859]. 2 books. [200]; [212] pp. Folio (13-1/2" x 8-1/4" and 12-3/4" x 8"). Quarter and three-quarter sheep over marbled boards, one book has lettering piece reading "Justice's Docket." Bindings lightly cocked, moderate rubbing to boards and board..... More
The First Formal Police Force of Buffalo, Tonawanda and Wheatfield Niagara Frontier Police District. Manual of the Niagara Frontier Police Force of the State of New York. Buffalo: Thomas, Howard & Johnson, 1867. 181 pp. 12mo. (6-1/4" x 3-3/4"). Contemporary morocco, expertly rebacked, gilt frames to boards, gilt title to..... More
Murdered with A Pike Pole Thompson, Joseph P. [1819-1879]. Lewdness and Murder: A Discourse Suggested by the Late Murder, Delivered in the Chapel Street Congregational Church, On Sabbath Evening, March 9th 1845: And Reported in the Center Churches of New Haven and Hartford. New Haven: Printed and Published by J.H...... More
Complete Sets of Bioren's Laws and Its Continuation Volumes [United States]. [Colvin, J[ohn] B. (d. 1827), Compiler]. [French, Benjamin B. French (1899-1877), Compiler]. [Bioren, John, Printer]. Laws of the United States of America, From the 4th of March, 1789, to the 4th of March, 1815, Including The Constitution of the..... More
Poisoned by His Doctor [Trial]. Coolidge, Valorous P. [c.1823-1849], Defendant. Trial of Dr. Valorous P. Coolidge, For the Murder of Edward Mathews, At Waterville, Maine (As Reported For and Published in the Boston Daily Times). [N.p.: S.n., 1848]. 40 pp. Text in parallel columns. Octavo (9-1/2" x 6"). Stab-stitched pamphlet..... More
A Famous Salem Murder: McDade 569 [Trial]. Knapp, John Francis, Defendant. The Trial and Conviction of John Francis Knapp for the Murder of Joseph White, Esq. of Salem, On the Sixth of April 1830. Boston: Published by Charles Ellms, 1830. 35, [1] pp. Woodcut frontispiece. Woodcut title vignette of murder..... More
One of the Men Who Murdered Captain White: McDade 564 [Murder]. Citizen of Danvers. [Crowninshield, Richard (1804-1830)]. Biographical Sketch of the Celebrated Salem Murderer, Who for Ten Years Past has Been the Terror of Essex County, Mass. Including a Full and Authentic Account of His Daring Exploits; Together with Many..... More
The Jury Could Not Decide: McDade 572 [Trial]. Knapp, John Francis, Defendant. Trial of John Francis Knapp as Principal in the Second Degree for the Murder of Capt. Joseph White, Before the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, At a Special Session, Commenced at Salem, July 20, 1830..... More
"Such Devils as Frank Almy Can Never Him Defy" [Broadside]. Beard, Alexander B. [Almy, Frank C.]. The Horrible Murder at Hanover, N.H.: Took Place July 21, 1891. Composed and Written While the Officers Were Seeking Almy. West Manchester, NH: [Published by the Author], 1891. 11" x 5-1/4" broadside, nine verses..... More
1854 California Session Laws in Spanish [California]. Mauriz, H. Gomez, Translator. Leyes de California Aprobadas en la Quinta Sesion de la Lejislatura que Comenzo en Benicia el Cuatro de Enero de 1854, Y Concluyo en Sacramento el Quince de Mayo del Mismo Ano. Traducidas del Ingles por H. Gomez Mauriz..... More
Cluverius Defended by a Family Friend: McDade 194 [Leigh, Phillip]. [Cluverius, Thomas J. (1861-1887), Defendant]. Lillian Madison's Marriage and Murder: Cluverius Did Not Kill Her. The Sequel Told. Richmond, VA: Patrick Keenan, Printer, 1887. 29 pp. Octavo (7-3/4" x 5"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Light soiling and faint staining..... More
Cluverius Tells His Story: McDade 193 Cluverius, Thomas J. [1861-1887]. Cluverius: My Life, Trial and Conviction. Richmond: Andrews, Baptist & Clemmitt, 1887. 112 pp. Quarto (6" x 5"). Stapled pamphlet in printed wrappers. Moderate soiling, light rubbing to extremities, spine ends abraded, moderate toning to text, minor stains to title..... More
A Satirical Poetic Account of a Notable Nineteenth-Century Virginia Murder Trial [Winston, Mrs. Charles P.]. "Cousin Tommie!" (T.J. Cluverius), A Parody By a Richmond Lady, Respectfully Dedicated to the Counsel for the Commonwealth. Richmond, VA: C.F. Johnston, 1885. 8 pp. Octavo (8" x 5"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in pictorial wrappers (with..... More
A Murder in Richmond: McDade 711 [Murder]. Myers, William R., Defendant. The Letters and Correspondence of Mrs. Virginia Myers, (Which Have Never Before Been Published or Even Read in Court,) to Dudley Marvin Hoyt, Who was Murdered at Richmond, Sept. 28th, 1846, by Wm. R. Myers, and Two Others. Together..... More
Poisoned by His Doctor: McDade 211 [Trial]. Coolidge, Valorous P. [c.1823-1849], Defendant. Trial of Dr. Valorous P. Coolidge, For the Murder of Edward Mathews, At Waterville, Maine (As Reported For and Published in the Boston Daily Times). [N.p.: S.n., 1848]. 40 pp. Text in parallel columns. Octavo (9-1/2" x 6")..... More
Murder in Canton, Ohio: McDade 334 [Murder]. [Albaugh, Thurlow K. (1868-1937)]. George, Annie, E. [b.1859]. Saxton, George D. [1848-1898]. Canton's Great Tragedy: The Murder of George D. Saxton, Together with a History of the Arrest and Trial of Annie E. George, Charged with the Murder. With Biographical Sketches of George..... More
The Murder of James Fisk: McDade 922 [Trial]. Stokes, Edward [1841-1901], Defendant. Life, Trial and Conviction of Edward Stokes, For the Assassination of Jas. Fisk, Jr. To Which is Added, The Life and Eventful Career of Josephine Mansfield. The Interesting Trial. Many Secrets Now for the First Time Made Public..... More
He Tried to Make the Murder Look Like a Suicide: McDade 208 [Trial]. Comings, William F., Defendant. Report of the Trial of William F. Comings: On an Indictment for the Murder of His Wife, Mrs. Adeline T. Comings. At the September Term of the Court of Common Pleas Holden at..... More
Jealousy, Fraud Accusations and Murder: McDade 919 [Murder]. [Stokes, Edward S. (1841-1901)]. [Fisk, James, Jr. (1835-1872)]. Life, Adventures, Strange Career, And Assassination of Col. James Fisk, Jr. The Fisk-Stokes Tragedy. All about Miss Mansfield. Those Rich, Rare, And Racy Letters and Many Oddities Now for the First Time Made Public..... More
An 1802 Massachusetts Sermon Criticizing Public Executions Thacher, Thomas [1756-1812]. The Danger of Despising the Divine Counsel: Exhibited in a Discourse, Delivered at Dedham, Third Precinct, September 13, 1801, The Lord's Day After the Execution of Jason Fairbanks. Dedham, [Mass.]: Printed and Sold, By Herman Mann, 1802. 29 pp. Octavo..... More
A Group of New England Banks Unite to Suppress Counterfeiting [Counterfeiting]. [Request for Membership Dues for the Association of Banks for the Suppression of Counterfeiting]. Boston, February 17, 1858. Single sheet folded once to form 8-1/2" x 5" bifolium, text to recto of first leaf, post mark and manuscript address..... More
Impressive Caricature of One of the Great American Lawyer-Statesmen of the Nineteenth Century [Evarts, William M. (1818-1901)]. [Caricature of Evarts]. N.p., S.n., c.1872. 14-1/4" x 11-1/4" engraved woodcut caricature of Evarts by "Wiist" mounted on 21" x 17" board, clipped autograph signature of Evarts mounted below image. Moderate toning, light..... More