Rare books from The Lawbook Exchange Ltd

1858. Bennett, E.H., Editor. 3rd ed. 2 Vols.. Bennett, E.H., Editor. 3rd ed. 2 Vols. Attractive Third Edition of Story's Commentaries on the Constitution, The Last Edition Published Before the Civil War Story, Joseph [1779-1845]. [Bennett, E.H., Editor]. Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States: With a Preliminary Review of the Constitutional History of the Colonies and States, Before the Adoption of the Constitution. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1858. Two volumes. 8, xxxiii, [ii], 735; [ii], 702 pp. (Eight-page publisher catalogue at beginning of Volume I.) Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Recent period-style quarter calf over cloth, raised bands, retaining original red morocco lettering pieces, endpapers renewed. Light to moderate toning, negligible foxing to a few leaves, some offsetting to margins of Volume II title page, internally clean. A nice copy in a handsome binding. $1,000. * Third edition. First published in 1833, this work is probably the most important work written on the… Read More

1546. 3 titles: Lyons: 1539,1545,1546. 3 titles: Lyons: 1539,1545,1546. Three Scarce Titles by Alciati, Including a Collection of Consilia Relating to Dueling Alciati, Andrea [1492-1550]. In Digestorum Seu Pandectarum Librum XII qui De Rebus Creditis Primus est, Rubric. Si Certum Petatur, Commentarius: Longe Doctissimus Atque Utilissimus: Una cum Vocum ac Rerum Toto hoc in Libro Notabilium Indice Diligentissimo. Lyons: Apud Iacobum Giunta, 1546. 387, [21] pp. [Bound with] Alciati, Andrea. Parerga: Andreae Alciati Iurisconsulti Mediolanensis PARERGON Iuris Libri Tres, Cum Argumentis Capitum in Eosdem, & Indice Vocum, Rerum, Autoritatum, & Locorum Notatu Dignorum. Lyons: Apud Jacobum Giunctam, 1539. [xxxii], 190 pp. [And] Alciati, Andrea. De Singulari Certamine Liber: Eiusdem Consilium in Materia Duelli, Exceptum ex Libro Quinto Responsorum. Lyons: Apud Theobaldum Paganum, 1545. 111, [1] pp. Octavo 6-1/4" x 4-1/4" (15.8 x 10.8 cm). Contemporary limp vellum with yapp edges, early hand-lettered titles to… Read More

1822. [N.p.: S.n., 1822]. 12-1/2 x 10. [N.p.: S.n., 1822]. 12-1/2 x 10" Verse Account of a Murder-Suicide in Pennsylvania [Broadside]. [Murder-Suicide]. [Pennsylvania]. [Koppelberger, Johannes]. Ein Neues Lied von der Mord-Geschichte des Joseph Miller, Welcher im Januar 1822, Einer Sonntags Nacht Seine Schwangere Frau unde Zwei Kinder auf eine Grausame Art Ermordete, Und sich Selbst Erhing, Welches Alles, Wie man Glaubt, Aus Armuth Geschah...[Running Title]. [N.p.: S.n., 1822]. 12-1/2" x 10" broadside. Text in three columns printed within woodcut border and separated by black rules. Moderate toning and light foxing, fraying and a few chips to edges, tear to bottom edge with negligible loss to text. $650. * This sixteen-stanza "New Song of the Murder-Story of Joseph Miller" is attributed to Johannes Koppelberger. It tells the sad story of a murder-suicide committed by Miller, a German-American. The verses say he eloped from Poland with the daughter of a nobleman in 1817. The couple made their way to… Read More

1802. 3 vols. Paris, 1802 1st ed. 3 vols. Paris, 1802 1st ed. First Edition of Bentham's Theory of Legislation Bentham, Jeremy [1748-1832]. Dumont, Pierre Etienne Louis [1759-1829], Editor and Translator. Traites de Legislation Civile et Penale, Precedes de Principes Generaux de Legislation, Et d'une Vue d'un Corps Complet de Droit: Termines par un Essai sur l'Influence des Terms et des Lieux Relativement aux Lois. Paris: Chez Bossange, Masson et Besson, 1802. Three volumes. xlii, 370; xx, 434; viii, 452 pp. Each volume has half-title. Complete set. Octavo (7-3/4" x 5"). Contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards, gilt title and ornaments to spine. Negligible light rubbing to boards and extremities, corners bumped and lightly worn, small chip to rear board of Volume II near upper corner, early owner bookplate to front free endpaper of Volume I, small institution inkstamps to half-titles of Volumes I and III and title page of Volume II. Moderate toning, light foxing in a few places in each volume.… Read More

1798. Late Eighteenth-Century Account Book of a Notable New York Attorney [Manuscript]. Remsen, John H. [c.1770-1798]. [Account Book]. New York, 1795-1798. [xxiii], 326 pp. Quarto (9-1/2" x 7-1/2"). Reverse calf, blind fillets and panels to boards, rebacked retaining parts of existing spine, raised bands, blind ornaments and lettering piece (reading "Register") to spine, marbled endpapers. Moderate rubbing with wear to extremities, a few stains and slash marks to boards, hinges cracked, front free endpaper and preliminary leaves loose, one leaf and parts of two others removed. Moderate toning to interior, text in neat hand to rectos and versos of most leaves, a few early manuscript jottings to front endleaf, small library stamp and marks to its verso. $6,500. * With a thumb-tabbed index of cases. John H. Remsen was a New York lawyer and notary public who served as private secretary to New York governor John Jay. This volume records work done and fees charged by Remsen on hundreds of cases in the… Read More

1852. London: Parker, Furnivall, And Parker, 1852. London: Parker, Furnivall, And Parker, 1852. Treatise on Courts Martial Owned by Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart [Stuart, J.E.B. (1833-1864)]. Simmons, Thomas Frederick. Remarks on the Constitution and Practice of Courts Martial; With a Summary of the Law of Evidence, As Connected with Such Courts; Also Some Notice of the Criminal Law of England, With Reference to the Trial of Civil Offences Where There is no Competent Civil Judicature. London: Parker, Furnivall, And Parker, 1852. xvi, 668, [4] pp. Includes 4-page publisher catalogue. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5-1/2"). Original cloth, blind frames to boards, blind fillets and gilt title to spine. Light rubbing, soiling and a few minor dampstains, chipping to spine ends, corners bumped, hinges cracked. "J.E.B. Stuart./ 1st Cavalry" in large penciled hand to front free endpaper. Moderate toning to text, light foxing in a few places, upper corners of a few leaves dog-eared. A copy with an interesting Civil War… Read More

1823. Nineteenth-Century Archive Concerning American Tariffs [Archive]. [Tariff Laws]. [Pamphlets, Circulars, Offprints and Letters Concerning Tariffs]. Massachusetts, New York and Washington, DC, 1823-1902. 72 items, comprising 42 pamphlets, 12 offprints, 10 circulars and 8 letters, sizes range from 5-1/4" x 3-1/4" to 12-1/2" x 9-1/2." Light to moderate toning, browning to a few pieces, fold lines, minor wear and soiling, a few items neatly split along fold lines. $1,800. * A representative sampling of issues concerning tariffs during the nineteenth century, this archive includes analytical and polemical pieces, speeches, printings of U.S. Congressional bills and letters. Most of the items date from the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s, the decades of the "Gilded Age," a period of rapid economic growth, considerable income inequality, labor unrest and the beginnings of the modern global economy. Two of the letters are addressed to members of the U.S. Congress, two are (unrelated) replies from U.S.… Read More

1799. [Paris] De l'Imprimerie Nationale An VII [1799].. [Paris] De l'Imprimerie Nationale An VII [1799]. Tables Used to Describe the Law to Revolutionary Citoyens Sedillez, Mathurin-Louis-Etienne [1745-1820]. Nomographie ou Tableaux Analytiques de Legislation, Accompagnes d'une Explication Sommaire, Pour Servir de Suite aux Vues Generales sur la Composition du Code Civil, Presentees au Conseil des Anciens le 23 Pluviose an 7, Par M.L.E. Sedillez (de Nemours), Department de Seine-et-Marne. [Paris]: De l'Imprimerie Nationale, An VII [1799]. viii, 32, [1]. Seven tables on six folding leaves. Complete. Quarto (11" x 8-1/2"). Uncut and untrimmed stab-stitched text block in original plain paper wrappers. Light soiling and some staining, some loss near foot of spine below text, some wear to spine ends. Light toning to text, somewhat heavier in a few places, faint dampstaining at foot of gutter to front wrapper and following four leaves, a few creases to folding tables. A well-preserved copy. $950. * Only… Read More

1838. Worcester: Press of the Massachusetts Spy, 1838. Worcester: Press of the Massachusetts Spy, 1838. Not in McDade Paine, William P. [1802-1876]. A Sermon Occasioned by the Murder of Philip Edwards, Perpetuated Under the Influence of Alcoholic Insanity, By John L. Davis, In Holden, Mass., August 15, 1838. Worcester: Press of the Massachusetts Spy, 1838. 22 pp. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in plain wrappers. Light soiling and a few faint stains to exterior, some rubbing to spine ends and corners with mild wear, a few dog-eared leaves at beginning and end of text, which has moderate toning and faint dampstaining, early owner signature (Lydia Moore) to head of title page. $950. * Only edition. Overlooked by McDade, this murder took place during a drinking binge. The sermon relates the events of the case, but it is essentially a temperance tract. "If the evil extended no farther than the degradation and misery of merely being a drunkard, the extent of the calamity could not be… Read More

1941. Scrapbook Compiled by a Lawyer Who Served as F.B.I. Agent in the Early 1940s [Scrapbook]. [Whitticar, Ralph M.]. [Scrapbook Compiled by FBI Agent and Lawyer Ralph M Whitticar]. Richmond and Fredericksburg, VA, 1941-1947, 1982-1983. [100] pp. Folio (14-1/2" x 11-1/2"). Padded imitation calf with ties, large hearth scene stamped to front cover below "Scrapbook." Light wear to extremities, front board detached, rear board partially detached, first leaf detached and moderately edgeworn, some edgewear and minor tears to several following leaves. Photographs, newspaper clippings, letters and documents affixed (with glue or cellotape) to rectos of 33 pages, three newspaper clippings from 1982 and 1983 laid in at rear of book. Most of these items have brief annotations. $1,500. * Ralph Whitticar was a lawyer from Columbus Ohio who joined the F.B.I. as a special agent in 1941. He served in Washington, DC and Virginia until he resigned in 1944 to take a position with the Virginia Department of Motor… Read More

1925. Paris: Rene Kieffer, [1925]. No. 376. Paris: Rene Kieffer, [1925]. No. 376. A Witty (And Very French) View of Family Law Hemard, Joseph [1880-1961], Illustrator. Code Civil: Livre Premier, Des Personnes: Titres V. Du Mariage. VI. Du Divorce. VII. De la Paternite. VIII. De l'Adoption. IX. De la Puissance Paternelle. X. De la Minorite. XI. De la Majorite. Paris: Rene Kieffer, [1925]. [vi], 126, [4] pp. Pochoir color text illustrations. Quarto (8" x 6-1/2"). Original publisher stiff wrappers with protective tissue-paper wrapper, untrimmed edges. Binding slightly cocked, some rubbing to extremities with light wear to spine ends, creases and a few small cracks to spine. Light toning to text, vivid illustrations, internally clean. $750. * From an edition limited to 900 copies, this number 376. Hemard presents the official text of the sections of the French Civil Code dealing with family law with witty, and often mildly erotic, color pochoir illustrations. Hemard applied this treatment to two other… Read More

1817. [New York]: Printed by Charles N. Baldwin, 1817. [New York]: Printed by Charles N. Baldwin, 1817. A New York City Counterpart to the Newgate Calendar Rogers, Daniel, Reporter. The New-York City-Hall Recorder, For the Year 1816. Containing Reports, Of the Most Interesting Trials and Decisions Which Have Arisen in the Various Courts of Judicature, For the Trial of Jury Causes in the Hall, During that Year, Particularly in the Court of Sessions. With Notes and Remarks, Critical and Explanatory. [New York]: Printed by Charles N. Baldwin, 1817. iv, 204 pp. Twelve parts with continuous pagination and drop-head titles; first part preceded by general title page. Main text in parallel columns. Octavo (9" x 6"). Twentieth-century tan buckram, gilt title and library name to spine, endpapers renewed. Moderate toning, occasional light foxing, faint dampstaining to margins in a few places, early owner signature, two small later library stamps and minor dampstain to title page, early owner mark (?) to its… Read More

1815. Philadelphia, 1815. 5 vols.; Washington 1822-1845. Philadelphia, 1815. 5 vols.; Washington 1822-1845. Complete Sets of Bioren's Laws and Its Continuation Volumes [United States]. [Colvin, J[ohn] B. (d. 1827), Compiler]. [French, Benjamin B. French (1899-1877), Compiler]. [Bioren, John, Printer]. Laws of the United States of America, From the 4th of March, 1789, to the 4th of March, 1815, Including The Constitution of the United States, The Old Act of Confederation, Treaties, and Many Other Valuable Ordinances and Documents; With Copious Notes and References. Philadelphia: John Bioren and W. John Duane, 1815. 5 volumes. Complete. [And] Colvin, John B. [and Others], Compilers. Laws of the United States of America, From the 4th of March, 1821, To the [3rd of March, 1845].... Corresponding With, And Intended as a Continuation of, The Edition of Bioren & Co. as Published by Authority of an Act of Congress. Washington, DC: Printed and Published by Davis & Force [and other publishers], 1822-1845. 5… Read More

1572. Leipzig: Durch Johann Martorff, 1572. Leipzig: Durch Johann Martorff, 1572. Guidance for German Rulers (And Their Advisors) Lauterbeck, Georg [1505?-1578]. Regentenbuch Auffs Fleissigst und Herrlichst Jtzt von Newem Ubersehen, Und Durchaus an Vielen Orten Corrigiert, Gemehret, und Gebessert. Allen Regenten und Oberkeit zu Anrichtung und Besserung Erbarer und Guter Policey, Christlich und Notig zu wissen. Es ist Auch uber die Rede des Griechischen Philosophi Musonii, Dem Gemeinen Nutz zum Besten, Hier Angedruckt die Summa der Platonischen Lere von den Gesetzen und Regierung des Gemeinen Nutzes, Wie die von Johanne Schleydano ins Latein Zusamen Gezogen, etc. Vom Ampt der Konige und Regierung des Gemeinen Nutzes in der Loblichen Kron Frankreich, Des Furtrefflichen Mannes Claudii Sessels zwey Schone Bucher, Wie er die in Frantzosischer Sprach Geschrieben und von Johanne Schleydano ins Latein Gebracht, Auch ein Christliche und Trewe Oration und Vermanung an die Regierung der Loblichen Kron… Read More

1891. St. Paul: West Publishing Co., 1891. 1st ed.. St. Paul: West Publishing Co., 1891. 1st ed. Notably Handsome Copy of a Landmark in American Legal Publishing Black, Henry Campbell [1860-1927]. A Dictionary of Law Containing Definitions of the Terms and Phrases of American and English Jurisprudence, Ancient and Modern Including the Principal Terms of International, Constitutional, and Commercial Law; With a Collection of Legal Maxims and Numerous Select Titles from The Civil Law and Other Foreign Systems. St. Paul: West Publishing Co., 1891. x, 1253 pp. Thumb-tabbed. Small folio(10" x 6-1/2"). Original buckram, blind frames to boards, rebacked retaining existing spine with raised bands and recent period-style lettering piece, endpapers renewed. Light soiling to boards, corner bumped and lightly worn. Moderate toning to interior, small chips to fore-edges of pp. 623-654. An attractive copy. $3,500. * First edition of the standard American law dictionary, which is now in its eleventh edition. It… Read More