Every Man His Own Attorney; Or, The Law of Landlord & Tenant...
The Rare Undated First Issue of Denman's Comprehensive Legal Guide. Denman, Thomas [1779-1854], 1st Baron Denman. Every Man His Own Attorney; Or, The Law of Landlord & Tenant Delineated: With Forms of Notices to Quit, Agreements, Leases and Assignments of Houses, Farms, &c. Also, The Bankrupt and Insolvent Laws Clearly Explained; Both as Regards Debtors & Creditors, Shewing the Advantages and Disadvantages of Bankruptcy and Insolvency in Both Cases, Giving Ample Advice as to Arresting or Striking a Docquet Against a Debtor, And the Mode and Expenses Attending It.--To Which are Added, Instructions to Commence and Defend All Actions in Person, With the Actual Amount of Costs, Officers' Fees, &c. London: Printed by C. Baynes, Duke-Street, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields; For George Virtue, 26, Ivy-Lane, Paternoster-Row [et al], [c.1825-1827]. 768 pp. Stipple-engraved frontispiece of Denman. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5"; 21.6 x 12.7 cm). Contemporary calf, gilt fillets to boards, lettering piece and gilt fillets to sine. A few minor nicks and scuffs to boards, some rubbing to spine, joints cracked, chipping to spine ends, corners bumped and somewhat worn. Light toning to interior, light foxing in a few places. A very good copy. $500. * "Pre-first" edition, one of two issues, the other dated 1828 and with a frontispiec eof Lord Brougham. While the first dated edition appeared in 1828, with later edition, none with edition statements, in 1830, 1832 and 1852, this undated issue represents the true first appearance of the work. Evidence for this early state is found at the foot of page 768, where a publisher's note explains that the legislative appendix (found in later editions) was omitted pending the "revision and consolidation" of the acts-a process finalized shortly before the 1828 release, which has an appendix numbered pp. 769-1008. (We have not been able to locate an independent printing of the appendix.) This work was a vital resource for the 19th-century merchant class, providing accessible guidance on bankruptcy, debt collection ("striking a docquet"), and litigation. Its author, Thomas Denman, was one of the era's most formidable legal minds. A radical-leaning barrister, he famously defended the Luddites and Queen Caroline before rising to become Lord Chief Justice (1832-1850). Later editions (c. 1834-1845) were revised by the radical jour.
Price: $500.00
Book number 86015