Elements of Jurisprudence, Treated of in the Preliminary Part of a...
"The Complement of Sir W. Blackstone's Commentaries" Wooddeson, Richard [1745-1822]. Elements of Jurisprudence, Treated of in the Preliminary Part of a Course of Lectures on the Laws of England. Dublin: Printed by H. Fitzpatrick for J. Moore, 1792. [vi], 207 pp. Octavo (8" x 5"). Contemporary calf, lettering piece and blind fillets to spine, blind tooling to board edges. Light rubbing and a few shallow scuffs and small stains to boards, which are very slightly bowed, moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners, joints cracked, rear hinge starting. Moderate toning, occasional light foxing, two small early owner stamps (of William Schley and John Caldwell) to front board, later owner signature (M. Bannon, 32 St. Paul) to front pastedown and free endpaper, another early signature (John Caldwell) to head of title page. $850. * Dublin issue of the only edition, London 1783. Wooddeson was elected a Vinerian Scholar in 1766, became a Vinerian Fellow in 1776 and was Vinerian Professor from 1777 to 1793. He was steeped in Blackstone's work, and he strove to supplement it. According to Marvin, "Dr. Wooddeson's Lectures form, in a measure, the complement of Sir W. Blackstone's Commentaries, for he supplies some deficiencies in the production of his predecessor, and treats more in detail, some topics, but slightly noticed by him. Though of acknowledged merit, as to learning, method of arrangement, and accuracy of rules, they do not seem to have attained so great a reputation as their real worth entitles them to. In point of style, and beauty of narration, they follow the Commentaries, haud non passibus auquis." One of the owners of this copy was likely Michael Bannon [b.1827], who emigrated to Baltimore, Maryland from Ireland at the age of 18, attained a college education and opened a legal practice in Baltimore, where he became an eminent local figure. (The William Schley is likely not the Schley who served as governor of Georgia.) Marvin, Legal Bibliography 745 (citing the London 1783 edition). English Short-Title Catalogue N1371.
Price: $850.00
Book number 69086