Signed Royal Warrant Permitting Search of Parliamentary Records, 1726.
Royal Permission to Search Parliamentary Records [Manuscript]. [Legal Publishing]. George I [1660-1727], King of Great Britain. [Signed Royal Warrant Permitting Search of Parliamentary Records]. London, Kensington Palace, 1726. 2 pp. 12" x 7-1/2" bifolium, edges gilt, embossed royal seal and autograph signature "George R" at head, docket to verso. Moderate toning, horizontal and vertical fold lines, light foxing, small holes and clean tears starting along fold lines, no loss to text. $7,500. * A royal warrant signed by George I granting "Our Trusty and Welbeloved John Baskett Our Printer," "Robert Gosling of Our City of London Bookseller" and their assistants "free liberty and access" to Parliamentary records and permission to transcribe them. Baskett and Gosling were preparing "a compleat Collection of All of the Acts of Parliament from Magna Charta to this present time." The warrant describes the effort, "hitherto unattempted," as "a very usefull and necessary worke, conducing to Our Honour and Service, and for the Benefit and Advantage of all Our Loving Subjects." It gives Baskett and Gosling access to the Tower of London, the statute rolls, journals of both houses of Parliament, and royal libraries at St. James's and Westminister "without paying any Fees." Compiled by William Hawkins, this collection was published in six volumes in 1735 as The Statutes at Large. (A seventh volume appeared in 1742.) According to Marvin, it was "much esteemed" for its thoroughness and references to ancient statutes in their original languages and in translation. Marvin, Legal Bibliography 375.
Price: $7,500.00
Book number 75301