AN ABRIDGMENT OF THE LAWS OF PENNSYLVANIA, BEING A COMPLETE DIGEST OF ALL SUCH ACTS OF ASSEMBLY, AS CONCERN THE COMMONWEALTH AT LARGE. To which is added, An Appendix, containing a variety of Precedents (adapted to the several Acts) for the use of justices of the peace, sheriffs, attornies and conveyancers. by Read, Collinson - 1801

Printed for the Author, Philadelphia: ., 1801 pp. (2) [of 4], lvii, 468, (28). Error in paging: pp. 381 misnumbered 383. Old damp stain. 8vo. 220 mm. Original Full calf binding; red morocco spine label with gilt-tooled title - 'Read's Digest.' Blind-tooled borders on both boards and blind-rules on spine. Binding rubbed. Early ownership of James Davidson. This is the first volume of a set that was completed with a second volume published in 1804 by H. Maxwell, Philadelphia. The missing leaf in the front (pp 3/4) was intentionally excised. It had this text: 'Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. that the Governor of this commonwealth be, and he is hereby, authorised and directed to subscribe for one thousand copies of an abridgment of the laws of Pennsylvania, proposed to be published by Collinson Read, at the rate of four dollars for each copy, to be neatly and correctly printed in one volume octavo, well bound and lettered; and that the said abridgment, having first received the approbation of the judges of the Supreme Court, shall be admitted in evidence in the several courts of justice in this commonwealth.' Maybe this leaf was intentionally removed to hide the price from a future purchaser?? PAIMP 24. Hardcover.