The Touch-Stone of Common Assurances, Or, A Plain and Familiar...
First Edition of the First Treatise on Conveyancing Sheppard, William [fl. 1660]. The Touch-Stone of Common Assurances. Or, A Plain and Familiar Treatise Opening the Learning of the Common Assurances, or Conveyances of the Kingdome. London: Printed by M.F. for W. Lee [et al.], 1648. [xii], 529, [6] pp. Quarto (8" x 6-1/2"). Contemporary sheep with later calf rebacking, blind rules to boards, gilt title and blind fillets to spine, early hand-lettered title to fore-edge of text block. Light scuffing to boards, moderate rubbing to extremities, front hinge starting at head, corners bumped, pastedowns lacking. Moderate toning to interior, faint dampstaining to margins in a few places, some edgewear and offsetting to endleaves, (illegible) early owner signature to title page. $2,000. * First edition. The Touch-Stone is the earliest work devoted to the theory and practice of conveyancing. Each chapter opens with a definition of a type of conveyance followed by an outline of the rules, principles and maxims that govern it. Sheppard's comments are supported by textual authorities and case examples, and he includes variations, specific conditions and limitations. Sheppard's claim of authorship has been a point of controversy since the eighteenth century. Many scholars believe that the Touch-Stone was written as a manuscript for personal use by Sir John Dodderidge, a judge during the reign of Charles I. According to this theory, Sheppard purchased the manuscript at auction, then edited it for publication. Whether the author was Sheppard or Dodderidge, the treatise was an immediate success when it was published in 1648. It has been esteemed highly ever since. As late as 1925, Holdsworth observed that it "is still regarded as a high authority on this subject." Holdsworth, Sources and Literature of English Law 124. English Short-Title Catalogue R203541.
Price: $2,000.00
Book number 74289