The Offices and Duties of Constables, Borsholders, Tything-Men...
The First Book by Cromwell's Law Reformer Sheppard, William [d.1675?]. The Offices and Duties of Constables, Borsholders, Tything-Men, Treasurers of the County-Stock, Overseers for the Poore, And Other Lay-Ministers. Whereunto are Adjoyned the Severall Offices of Church-Ministers and Church-Wardens. London: Printed by Ric. Hodgkinsonne with Permission of the Assignes of John Moore, Esq., 1641. [xxxii], 9-359, [1] pp. Pagination irregular, text complete. Octavo (5-1/2" x 3-1/2"). Contemporary sheep with recent calf rebacking, blind rules to boards, raised bands and gilt title and publication date to spine. A few minor stains nicks and scratches to boards, moderate rubbing to board edges with wear to corners, which are bumped, pastedowns loose. Moderate toning to interior, light foxing to title page and a few other leaves, light edgewear, offsetting and early owner annotations and doodles to endleaves, early owner and gift inscriptions ("Libris Rich Holt," "Sum Rogeri Kay/ ex dono vidua Holt/ Cicestriae [i.e. Chichester] 1689") in two hands to front pastedown. $1,250. * Only edition. Sheppard's first work, it anticipated his many efforts as Cromwell's law reformer. The main text is preceded by an "Epistle" that describes an important part of his philosophy of government. His philosophical and reforming ideas are most apparent in the two chapters on prisons and the two chapters on church officials. It is possible that this book once belonged to Roger Kay [1663-1731], a graduate of St. John's College, Cambridge who left a substantial sum to the college for the development of its library. Matthews, William Sheppard, Cromwell's Law Reformer 73-74. English Short-Title Catalogue R31815.
Price: $1,250.00
Book number 74467