Eight Broadsides Dealing with Bankruptcy Reform, 1718-1719.
Attempts to Prevent Bankruptcy Fraud [Broadsides]. [Bankruptcy]. [Great Britain]. [Eight Broadsides Dealing with Bankruptcy Reform]. 4 broadsides, 2 broadsheets and 2 pamphlets averaging 12-3/4" x 7-3/4" in size, typed docket to verso of each item. Disbound, light to moderate toning, faint horizontal fold lines, recent pencil notes to upper right corners of first pages, leaves of pamphlets separating, light foxing to a few items. Housed in recent 13-3/4" x 9-1/4" buckram folder with morocco lettering piece. $3,500. * These 8 items, all rare, relate to bankruptcy reform in Great Britain. Contents (in short-titles): 1. Reasons Humbly Offer'd for Altering and Amending the Laws Concerning Bankrupts. [London: s.n., 1718?]. 1 pp. English Short-Title Catalogue (ESTC) T17377. 2. Observations and Proposals Most Humbly Offered to the Parliament by Several Creditors, Merchants, and Traders of London.... [London: s.n., 1719]. 2 pp. ESTC T17420. 3. Reasons Humbly Offer'd for Making More Certain the Liberty of Such Bankrupts who Shall Fairly and Justly Surrender Themselves.... [London: s.n., 1719]. 2 pp. ESTC T17392. 4. The Case of the Poor Confined Debtors Within the Several Prisons of this Kingdom. [London: s.n., 1718?]. 1 pp. ESTC T17367. 5. The Case of the Shelterers in the Mint. [London: s.n., 1718?]. 1 pp. ESTC 17371. 6. An Abstract of the Considerations for the Benefit of Creditors, And Relief of Honest Insolvents. [London: s.n., 1718?]. 1 pp. ESTC T17364. 7. A Bill to Prevent Frauds Committed by Bankrupts. [London: s.n., 1719]. 15, [1] pp. ESTC T17360. 8. An Abstract of an Act Proposed for Preventing Frauds Frequently Committed by Bankrupts. [London: s.n., 1719]. 4 pp. ESTC T17362. By 1718, the bankruptcy statute passed under Queen Anne that imposed the death penalty on absconding bankrupts had expired, and many creditors and commentators began to object to the subsequent increase in fraud. These items call for a reinstatement of laws against bankruptcy fraud and highlight the consequences of allowing the laws to continue to lapse. One broadside goes so far as to name "several notorious instances" of absconding bankrupts, while others call for additional incentives for traders to behave honestly. Ultimately, the reforms called.
Price: $3,500.00
Book number 75397