274 Ergebnisse
1857Best.-Nr. 694811857. A Notable Nineteenth-Century Will Case Involving Codicils and Questions of Sanity Trial. Parish Will Case. Bell Luther V. 1806-1862. Medical Opinion in the Parish Will Case. New York: John F. Trow 1857. 69 pp. Octavo 9-1/4" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Light soiling to exterior wear to spine ends and corners some chipping and edgewear to wrappers which are partially detached at ends dampstaining to wrappers and text block moderate toning lower corners lacking from first three leaves with no loss to text corners of some other leaves chipped or dog-eared early owner signature "Wm Bouvier" of "Bonner" to front wrapper and half-title. $750. Only edition. Henry Parish a New York merchant died in 1856 at age 69. He left a will made in 1842 that had been amended with three codicils signed by him some time after suffering a paralyzing stroke in 1849. These codicils were contested on the grounds of mental impairment. This trial attracted a good deal of attention and it involved testimony by several leading medical and legal experts. At time of this pamphlet's publication Bell was president of the Massachusetts Medical Society and a former superintendent of the McLean Asylum for the Insane near Boston. Not in Cohen which lists a composite volume by Trow containing this title. See Bibliography of Early American Law 11386. unknown books
1871Best.-Nr. 660611871. Lockport NY: M.C. Richardson and Co. 1871. Lockport NY: M.C. Richardson and Co. 1871. A Successful "Mania Transitoria" Defense: McDade 748 Trial. Pierce Aratus F. Defendant. Trial of Aratus F. Pierce At Lockport N.Y. For the Murder of William Bullock Eighth Judicial District Court of Oyer and Terminer Charles Daniels Presiding; Lorenzo Webster and G.L. Judd Associate Justices Tried at Adjourned October Term 1871. Lockport NY: M.C. Richardson and Co. 1871. 101 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-3/4"; 22.2 x 14.6 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Minor wear to spine ends a few small chips to edges light soiling to rear wrapper light toning to interior. A well-preserved copy of a scarce title. $750. Only edition. Pierce killed a man who seduced his sister then refused to marry her. The trial is notable because it involved a successful defense based on the law of "mania transitoria" or momentary insanity McDade. OCLC locates 13 copies 4 in law libraries Harvard Social Law Supreme Court of New York U.S. Supreme Court. McDade The Annals of Murder 748. unknown books
1864Best.-Nr. 718321864. New-York J.W. Amerman printer 1864. New-York J.W. Amerman printer 1864. Interesting Civil War Prize Case Concerning an English Blockade Runner Trial. Steamer Peterhoff. Betts Samuel R. 1786-1868. Marvin William 1808-1902. The United States vs. The Steamer Peterhoff and Her Cargo. In Prize. Opinion of the Court By Judge Betts. With an Appendix Containing the Opinions of Judge Marvin In the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Florida In the Cases of the Dolphin and the Pearl. New York: John W. Amerman Printer 1864. 116 pp. Octavo 9" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet wrappers lacking bound into recent calf-stamped cloth printed paper title label to spine. Light wear to corners of text block moderate toning to text light soiling and some edgewear to title page. $750. Only edition. At head of title page: District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. The Peterhoff was a English blockade runner that was boarded and seized by the U.S. Navy in the harbor of St. Thomas then a Danish possession. Brought to Key West she was later condemned by the New York prize court and sold to the U.S. Navy which refitted it as a patrol ship. The international dispute over the legality of the seizure delayed her service for almost a year. After the Civil War the Supreme Court overturned the prize court's decision and the U.S. Government was compelled to compensate the Peterhoff's owners for their loss. OCLC locates 14 copies 11 in North America 3 in law libraries Columbia Harvard Library of Congress. Sabin A Dictionary of Books Relating to America 61179. unknown books
1873Best.-Nr. 712941873. Philadelphia: Published by Barclay & Co. 1873. Philadelphia: Published by Barclay & Co. 1873. The Infamous "Gilded Age" Murder of Jim Fisk Trial. Stokes Edward 1841-1901 Defendant. Life Trial and Conviction of Edward Stokes; For the Assassination of Jas. Fisk Jr. To Which is Added The Life and Eventful Career of Josephine Mansfield. The Interesting Trial. Many Secrets Now for the First Time Made Public. Philadelphia: Published by Barclay & Co. 1873. ii 19-111 1 pp. 12 full-page woodcuts. Complete. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-3/4"; 23.5 x 14.6 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in pictorial wrappers. Light soiling and a few faint dampstains and minor tears to wrappers spine abraded moderate wear to corners of wrappers and text block. Moderate toning to interior corners of some leaves dog-eared faint stains to a few leaves. $750. Only edition Philadelphia Issue: Published shortly after the conclusion of the second trial. Barclay concurrently issued this work with a Cleveland imprint Great Western Publishing Company. "Jim Fisk. was a financial wonder in New York in 1872. Edward Stokes had been associated with him in the oil business but they had become engaged in a bitter legal battle which originated when Stokes stole Fisk's mistress Josie Mansfield." This classic Barclay sensation pamphlet captures one of the most notorious crimes of New York's Gilded Age-a volatile cocktail of corporate espionage blackmail and romantic betrayal. After a bitter falling out over the Erie Railroad-backed oil business and the affections of Josie Mansfield Fisk and Stokes engaged in a flurry of litigious retaliation including charges of embezzlement and false imprisonment. The boiling point was reached on January 6 1872 following a humiliating police court cross-examination of Mansfield regarding her relations with Fisk and the threatened publication of his financial secrets. In a fury Stokes tracked the flamboyant "Jubilee Jim" to the Broadway Central Hotel and fatally shot him on the grand staircase. Following two sensational trials a high-powered defense team managed to mitigate the charge resulting in a controversial conviction for third-degree manslaughter. The twelve dramatic full-page woodcuts vividly illustrate the protagonists the assassination scene and the subsequent courtroom theater characteristic of Barclay's highly sought-after true crime publications. This Barclay account was published af. unknown books
1825Best.-Nr. 707211825. Buffalo: Printed for the Publisher 1825. Buffalo: Printed for the Publisher 1825. The Notorious Thayer Brothers: McDade 972 Trial. Thayer Nelson 1798-1825 Defendant. Thayer Israel 1801-1825 Defendant. Thayer Isaac 1804-1825 Defendant. The Life Trial Condemnation And Dying Address Of the Three Thayers! Who were Executed for the Murder of John Love At Buffalo N.Y. June 17th 1825. Buffalo: Printed for the Publisher 1825. 16 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4"; 21.6 x 13.3 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers untrimmed edges large woodcut of three coffins to front. Light browning and faint dampspotting light soiling to exterior faint stain to foot of front wrapper. A well-preserved copy. $750. The Thayer brothers Nelson Israel and Isaac were convicted in 1825 for the robbery and murder of their boarder John Love to whom they owed a substantial amount of money. The brothers shot him in the head then lacerated his body with a meat cleaver. After disguising the murder scene with a pig carcass they buried Love in a shallow grave. Their crime was discovered a short while later. After two brief trials the Thayers were executed together by hanging on June 17 1825. A sensational event it was probably the first hanging to take place in Erie County New York. This event was the subject of several pamphlets four published in Buffalo. In this edition the dying address is followed by an account of the trial and execution in verse. This imprint which is listed in Cohen and mentioned in McDade is a variant of a copy described in McDade which has an image of a single coffin. McDade The Annals of Murder 972. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13088. unknown books
1732Best.-Nr. 734361732. By Reason of Some Natural Imperfection" Trial. Weld v. Weld. The Proceedings in the Arches-Court of Canterbury in a Cause Between the Hon. Mrs. Catherine Weld Daughter to the Lord Aston; And Edward Weld Esq; Her Husband. Containing I. Her Libel Exhibited Against Him for Impotency. II. Her Answer and Replication. III. Certificates of Ambrose Dickens Esq; His Majesty's Serjeant Surgeon Mr. Williams and Several Other Eminent Surgeons Who Examined Mr. Weld; And also of three Midwives who Examined Mrs. Weld. IV. Copies of the Depositions of Several Noble Persons Relating to This Cause. V. The Sentence Pronounced. To Which is Prefixed a Preface. London: Printed for H. Owen 1757. 48 pp. Octavo 7-1/2' x 4-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in recent stiff marbled-paper wrappers calf lettering piece to spine. Moderate toning to interior faint vertical crease to text block some wear to outer corners of text block light foxing to a few leaves light soiling to title page and p. 48. $750. Third stated edition. The Welds married in 1727 but when there was no issue after three years Catherine sued Edward for divorce in ecclesiastical court on the grounds that he was "unable to perform the Conjugal Rites by Reason of some natural Imperfection which he well knew in himself." Edward fought to clear his name claiming that after a simple surgical procedure he had in fact consummated the marriage twice. The case gained a great deal of public attention largely because the detail of Catherine's claim and the amount of medical evidence presented were unusual even for an impotency trial. Ultimately the divorce was denied and the couple reached a private resolution to live apart. Edward remarried after Catherine's death and fathered a daughter and four sons. It is unclear why our copy is designated the third edition. It appears to be based on an account issued by E. Raynor which went through five editions and two Dublin reprints all in 1732. OCLC and the ESTC locate 3 copies in North America Cornell Rice Harvard Law School. English Short-Title Catalogue ESTC N11985. unknown books
1732Best.-Nr. 727691732. London: Printed for E. Rayner 1732. London: Printed for E. Rayner 1732. "Unable to Perform the Conjugal Rites" Trial. Weld v. Weld. The Whole of the Proceedings in the Arches-Court of Canterbury In a Cause Between the Hon. Mrs. Catherine Weld Daughter to the Lord Aston And Edward Weld Esquire Her Husband. Containing I. Her Libel Exhibited Against Him for Impotency. II. Her Answer and Replication. III. Certificates of Ambrose Dickens Esq; His Majesty's Serjeant-Surgeon Mr. Williams And Several Other Surgeons Who Examin'd Mr. Weld; And Also of Three Midwives who Examined Mrs. Weld. IV. Copies of the Depositions of Several Noble Persons Relating to this Cause. V. The Sentence Pronounced by the Worshipful Dr. Bettesworth Feb. 15. 1731. To Which is Prefixed a Preface By the Author of the Tryal of F. Girard and Miss Cadiere. London: Printed for E. Rayner 1732. 48 pp. leaves B3 and B4 pp. 13-16 misnumbered 9-12. Octavo 7-1/2" x 4-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into later quarter calf over marbled boards gilt title and date to spine a number of blank leaves added by binder after p. 48. Light rubbing to extremities front joint just starting at ends. Light toning to interior occasional light foxing light soiling in a few places slight offsetting to preliminaries and first two leaves. $750. Fifth and final edition. The Welds married in 1727 but when there was no issue after three years Catherine sued Edward for divorce in ecclesiastical court on the grounds that he was "unable to perform the Conjugal Rites by Reason of some natural Imperfection which he well knew in himself." Edward fought to clear his name claiming that after a simple surgical procedure he had in fact consummated the marriage twice. The case gained a great deal of public attention largely because the detail of Catherine's claim and the amount of medical evidence presented were unusual even for an impotency trial. Ultimately the divorce was denied and the couple reached a private resolution to live apart. Edward remarried after Catherine's death and successfully produced a daughter and four sons. English Short-Title Catalogue T52462. unknown books
1852Best.-Nr. 641061852. Vannoud Louis; Cavallari Luigi. Vannoud Louis; Cavallari Luigi. A Sensational Case of Kidnapping Trial. Wikoff Henry 1813-1884 Principal Defendant. Vannoud Louis Defendant. Cavallari Luigi Defendant. Trial of Wikoff Vannoud And Cavallari For a Forced Marriage Between Miss Gamble and One of the Accused. Before the High Court of Genoa February 9-10 1852. London: William Shoberl 1852. 64 pp. Lithograph portrait frontispiece of Wikoff. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Moderate soiling rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners. Light toning to text foxing to a few leaves internally clean. $750. Only edition. An account of one of the sensational trials of the early 1850s. Wikoff or as he called himself Chevalier Wikoff was an American impresario occasional European correspondent for the New York Herald and possibly a spy for Lord Palmerston. He was engaged to Jane Catherine Gamble an English woman. Gamble changed her mind shortly before the wedding and fled to Genoa. Wikoff tracked her down and apparently tricked her into coming along with him to his apartment. Shortly afterwards Gamble filed a complaint of kidnapping that landed Wikoff in an Italian jail for 15 months. He was found guilty in an Italian court and forced to return her letters and "extorted promise of marriage." Ever enterprising Wikoff responded to the negative publicity with a memoir entitled My Courtship and Its Consequences 1855 which became a best-seller. Copies of The Trial of Wikoff are scarce. OCLC locates 7 worldwide: 2 in the British Library and 5 in North American law libraries Harvard Library of Congress University of Georgia University of Minnesota University of Pennsylvania. unknown books
1813Best.-Nr. 695001813. London: J. Fairburn 1813. 24 pp. London: J. Fairburn 1813. 24 pp. "A Figure with the Body Feet And Tail of a Rat With the Head and Face of a Man Resembling the Plaintiff" Trial. Wood William Defendant. St. Luke's Parish Malt!!! Fairburn's Edition of the Trial Between Doctor Smith and Mr. Wm. Wood: For a Malicious and Scandalous Libel Against the Said Doctor Smith Contained in a Print Or Picture Commonly Called a Caricature!! Intitled "The Inside of a Newly-Reformed Workhouse with All Abuses Removed": In Which Caricature was Depicted 4 Sacks of Parish Malt and a Figure with the Body Feet And Tail of a Rat With the Head and Face of a Man Resembling the Plaintiff Nibbling at Them: Also a Figure of a Women in Breeches Pulling the Rat by the Tail Intended to Represent the Plaintiff's Wife: With the Defendant Charging the Vestry-Clerk with Receiving 45 for Bastardy of an Adjoining Parish who with Satan at his Elbow Prompting Him to Tell a Good Fat Lie Denies the Charge &c.: Including the Evidence at Full Length Taken in Short Hand. Which was Tried in the Court of King's Bench Guildhall On Wednesday January 20 1813 Before Lord Ellenborough And a Special Jury. London: Published by John Fairburn 1813. 24 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning and foxing moderate edgewear final few leaves partially detached negligible light soiling to exterior "5" in early hand to head of front wrapper. A rare title. $750. Only edition. "This was an action brought by John Smith a surgeon and apothecary . against William Wood a boot and shoe maker . in the same parish; to recover a compensation in damages for publishing a gross scandalous and malicious libel in the form of a caricature picture or print . tending to injure and defame the character of the plaintiff.-The damages were laid at one thousand pounds" pp. 3-4. The court found for the defendant. OCLC locates 2 print copies Cornell University University of Minnesota Law School. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1191. unknown books
1827Best.-Nr. 684181827. Dudley 1827. McCoy Freedom of the Press. Dudley 1827. McCoy Freedom of the Press. A Draper is Charged with Seditious Libel for Displaying a Strike Notice in His Shop Window Trial. Cook Samuel 1786-1861 Defendant. A Full Report of the Trial of Samuel Cook Draper Dudley For an Alleged Seditious Libel Tried at Worcester Aug. 1 1827 Before Mr. Justice Littledale. Taken in Short Hand by an Eminent Writer. Dudley Worcestershire Eng.: Sold by S. Cook Draper 1827. ii 72 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into period-style quarter morocco over marbled boards by Philip Dusel gilt titles and ornaments to spine endpapers renewed. Light toning to text somewhat heavier in places "4" in early hand to head of title page. $850. First edition one of two from 1827. Cook a linen draper and the "radical conscience of middle-class Dudley" frequently displayed posters promoting various political events and made his business "the focal point of radicalism in the Black Country" ODNB. In 1826 he was charged with seditious libel for displaying a handbill promoting a nailers' strike that accused government ministers of contributing to the starvation of the people. He was found guilty but received a relatively light sentence of a 100 fine and a 200 bond. He published this pamphlet to raise money for his legal expenses. A note at the foot of p. 72 appeals for additional financial assistance: "S. Cook will be happy to receive any Subscriptions towards his late expenses and towards such subsequent proceedings as may be deemed requisite." A second edition with an identical page count may have been published the same year. OCLC and Library Hub locate 4 copies of both editions 2 in North America Duke Southern Illinois University. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography accessed online. McCoy Freedom of the Press Supplement IC318. unknown books
1808Best.-Nr. 684481808. London 1808. Very Scarce/Rare. London 1808. Very Scarce/Rare. A Very Scarce 1808 English Libel Case Relating to One of Wellington's Generals Trial. Draper Edward Alured 1776-1841 Defendant. The Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Alured Draper Of the Third Regiment of Foot Guards In the Court of King's Bench On Monday The 29th of June 1807 Before the Right Hon. Lord Ellenborough and a Special Jury For a Libel Against the Right Hon. John Sullivan. Taken in Short Hand by Mr. Adams. London: Printed by D. Jaques 1808. vii 179 pp. Octavo 8-5/8" x 5-3/8". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces and a bit of residue from paper location label to spine. Light soiling corners bumped light fading to spine. Moderate toning to text "110442" in early hand to verso of half-title two faint library stamps to title page. $850. Only edition. Draper was charged with libel for distributing a statement against a witness in a trial against his superior officer General Sir Thomas Picton. A distinguished but controversial general Picton was accused of using torture while serving as the military governor of Trinidad charges that were dismissed. Draper claimed that Sullivan a colonial official lied under oath. Draper lost his case and served a three-month sentence but went on to have a distinguished career as an officer and civil servant in Mauritius. OCLC locates 2 copies worldwide Social Law and Yale University. Not in COPAC or the Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909. unknown books
1880Best.-Nr. 728021880. Rare. Rare. A Raucous Divorce Case: Only Edition of the 1880 Newman Hall Divorce Case Report Trial. Hall v. Hall. The Full Report of the Newman Hall Divorce Case Drop-Head Title. At head of drop-head title: Police News Edition. London: G. Purkess c.1880. 16 pp. Title page has large woodcut portraits of the Halls. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet thread lacking. Moderate toning light edgewear and chipping to spine light foxing to final few leaves title page affected by trimming to top and fore-edges without loss to legibility. Rare. $850. Only edition. In 1880 Christopher Newman Hall a minister who had gained fame in Britain and the United States with his tract Come to Jesus 1848 accused his wife Charlotte of adultery with a friend of the couple. She denied the accusations and accused him of infidelity in turn. The couple was not particularly compatible; Charlotte was a free spirit who loved to hunt and smoke habits her husband despised on moral grounds. Newman Hall's high profile and the humor of much of the testimony made the trial a raucous affair with frequent bursts of laughter from witnesses to the despair of the judge. Newman Hall ultimately succeeded in obtaining a decree nisi and remarried later that year. This is a rare title. No physical copies listed on OCLC or Library Hub. We located a copy at Indiana University. unknown books
1817Best.-Nr. 714681817. Boston: Thomas G. Bangs 1817. Boston: Thomas G. Bangs 1817. The Only Edition of a Rare Early 19th-Century Murder Trial: Lemuel Shaw for the Defense Trial. Phillips Henry d.1817. Trial of Henry Phillips for the Murder of Gaspard Dennegri sic. Supreme Judicial Court Boston January 9 1817 Caption Title. Boston: Printed by Thomas G. Bangs 1817. 24 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5"; 22.2 x 12.7 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in plain wrappers. Chipping and a few tears to edges upper section lacking from rear wrapper. Moderate toning and light foxing to interior faint dampstaining in a few places. $850. Only edition. "Denegri was struck on the head by a loggerhead during a minor disturbance at a tavern. Today the circumstances would at the most be considered manslaughter but poor Phillips was found guilty of murder and hanged" McDade. The trial is highly significant for the involvement of Phillips' defense counsel Lemuel Shaw 1781-1861 whom the defendant specifically requested. Following his years in private practice Shaw went on to build a towering career as a politician and jurist. As Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court he presided during a critical era when American common law was actively being forged. Legal historian Leonard W. Levy famously characterized Shaw as arguably "America's greatest magistrate" making this scarce record of his early defense work highly desirable to legal historians. OCLC locates 9 copies 2 in law libraries Library of Congress Social Law. Levy "Lemuel Shaw: America's Greatest Magistrate" 7 Villanova Law Review 389 accessed online. McDade The Annals of Murder 746. unknown books
1814Best.-Nr. 684711814. London 1814. London 1814. The Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814 Trial. Random Charles Baron de Berenger Principal Defendant. Dundonald Thomas Cochrane Earl of 1775-1860 Principal Defendant. Gurney William Brodie 1777-1855 Reporter. The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger Sir Thomas Cochrane Commonly called Lord Cochrane The Hon. Andrew Cochrane Johnstone Richard Gathorne Butt Ralph Sandom Alexander M'Rae John Peter Holloway And Henry Lyte; For a Conspiracy In the Court of King's Bench Guildhall On Wednesday the 8th And Thursday the 9th of June 1814: With the Subsequent Proceedings in the Court of King's Bench; Taken in Short Hand. London: Sold by J. Butterworth and Son 1814. 604 4 pp. Folding table. Includes four-page publisher catalogue. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-3/8". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spine. Light shelfwear and some soiling. Light browning and foxing to text early owner signature Joseph Tate and faint library stamp to title page a few library annotations to verso another owner signature "Wm Green. 1843" at head of main text brief early annotations in a few places. $850. Only edition. Gurney's is the most detailed account of one of the greatest English fraud cases of the nineteenth century. In 1814 Berenger a Prussian aristocrat posing as an aide to Britain's ambassador to Russia announced that Napoleon had been killed by Russian Cossacks. This news caused stock prices to rise. After discovering that Berenger's news was a hoax which caused prices to drop investigators discovered that six men had profited substantially from the false information. All were alleged to have been conspirators with Berenger. One of these men was Cochrane a Member of Parliament an admiral and one of the greatest naval heroes of the Napoleonic Wars. The case against him was weak and circumstantial but he was to the surprise of many convicted sentenced to 12 months in prison fined 1000. and ordered to stand in the pillory opposite the Royal Exchange for one hour. In subsequent weeks he was dismissed from the Royal Navy and expelled from Parliament. On the orders of the Prince Regent Cochrane was humiliated by the loss of his appointment Knight of the Order of the Bath. A month later however Cochrane was re-elected unopposed and following a public outcry his sentence to th. unknown books
1790Best.-Nr. 733611790. London: Printed for John Stockdale 1790. London: Printed for John Stockdale 1790. A Case That Influenced the Passage of the Libel Act of 1792 Trial. Stockdale John 1749-1814 Defendant. Gurney Joseph 1744-1815 Reporter. Erskine Thomas 1750-1823. The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Information Exhibited Ex Officio by the King's Attorney General Against John Stockdale; For a Libel on the House of Commons Tried in the Court of King's-Bench West-Minster On Wednesday The Ninth of December 1789 Before the Right Hon. Lloyd Lord Kenyon Chief Justice of England. Taken in Short Hand by Joseph Gurney. To Which is Subjoined An Argument in Support of the Rights of Juries. London: Printed for John Stockdale Opposite Burlington House Piccadilly 1790. xi 1 228 pp. Bound with A Briton. Four Letters on the Subject of Mr. Stockdale's Trial For a Supposed Libel on the House of Commons. London: Printed for John Stockdale opposite Burlington House Piccadilly MDCCXC 1790. 52 pp. Lacking the final 8 leaves of advertisements. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards rebacked in period style gilt title fillets and ornaments to spine speckled edges hinges mended. Light rubbing to boards heavier rubbing to board edges corners bumped and somewhat worn early bookseller ticket and armorial bookplate of Charles Warburton to front pastedown. Light toning to interior light soiling to a few leaves. $850. The Whole Proceedings: first edition. Four Letters: Only edition one of two issues from 1790. Stockdale a publisher and bookseller was indicted for libel in the House of Commons after publishing an account of the impeachment of Warren Hastings by John Logan that accused the Commons of corrupt and unjust behavior. Stockdale was defended by Erskine who argued that Stockdale should not be judged by isolated passages in Logan's book but by the entire publication. Stockdale was acquitted and his case is believed to have influenced the passage of the Libel Act of 1792 which restored the verdict power of juries in libel cases. Taken in shorthand by Gurney The Whole Proceedings is Stockdale's account of his trial. A Dublin reissue and a "New" London edition were also published in 1790. Four Letters a work in favor of Stockdale and Erskine claims to provide several facts about the case and Hastings that had been. unknown books
1821Best.-Nr. 718241821. Salem Mass.: Published by T.C. Cushing 1821. Salem Mass.: Published by T.C. Cushing 1821. Trial and Execution of a Teen-Age Arsonist in Salem Massachusetts Trial. Clark Stephen Merrill 1804-1821 Defendant. Account of the Short Life and Ignominious Death of Stephen Merrill Clark Who was Executed at Salem on Thursday the Tenth Day of May 1821 at the Early Age of 16 Years and 9 Months For the Crime of Arson. Salem: Published by T.C. Cushing 1821. 16 pp. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers untrimmed edges. Light browning and faint dampstaining small early bookseller description affixed to verso of title page. $950. Only edition. In 1820 Clark burned down a stable and an adjacent building. There was no loss of life but he was tried for a capital crime found guilty and sentenced to death. The jury recommended commutation to no avail. He was sixteen years of age when he committed the crime seventeen when executed. His case helped to advance a successful movement to reduce the number of capital crimes. By 1852 murder was the only capital offense. OCLC locates 13 copies 3 in law libraries Harvard Social Law Yale. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 12137. unknown books
1844Best.-Nr. 712921844. Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson 1844. Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson 1844. A Devastating 1843 New Hampshire Murder Trial Trial. Comings William F. d. 1844 Defendant. Report of the Trial of William F. Comings: On an Indictment for the Murder of His Wife Mrs. Adeline T. Comings. At the September Term of the Court of Common Pleas Holden at Haverhill In the County of Grafton N.H. A.D. 1843. Together with His Life Written by Himself. Boston: Printed by Samuel N. Dickinson 1844. 158 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2"; 23 x 14 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Light soiling and a few minor marks to wrappers light wear to spine ends and corners rear joint and adjacent signature just starting to detach at foot some loss to foot of fore-edge of rear half of text block with no loss to text. Light toning to text somewhat heavier in places occasional light foxing. $750. Only edition of this scarce and grim 19th-century murder trial. William F. Comings was convicted of the brutal murder of his wife Adeline in Bath New Hampshire. In an attempt to evade justice Comings strangled her with a handkerchief and suspended her lifeless body from a bedpost to stage the crime scene as a suicide. Alongside the comprehensive trial report this volume uniquely includes an autobiographical account written by the defendant himself before his death in 1844. Highly scarce in commerce. OCLC locates 5 copies in law libraries Library of Congress New York University Social Law Library University of Missouri Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder 208. unknown books
1806Best.-Nr. 728521806. London 1806. Second ed. Edward Mangin's copy. London 1806. Second ed. Edward Mangin's copy. With Interesting Manuscript Commentary by a Notable Irish Writer Trial. Great Britain. Patch Richard Defendant c.1770-1806. The Trial of Richard Patch For the Wilful Murder of Mr. Isaac Blight September 23 1805 At Rotherhithe In the County of Surry; Before the Right Hon. Sir A. Macdonald Knt. Lord Chief Baron of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer; At the Sessions House Newington; On Saturday April 5 1806. London: Printed By the Express Appointment of the Sheriff For Edward Jeffery 1806. xvi 194 pp. With 5 plates including 3 portraits a facsimile of a letter and a folding illustration. Octavo 8-1/4" x 4-3/4". Marbled wrappers. Light edgewear with slight chipping to top-edge and small tear to fore-edge of rear wrapper. Light toning to interior light foxing in a few places. Ownership signature to head of title page of Edward Mangin dated May 10 1831 annotation in his hand to front free endpaper. An interesting association copy. $950. Second edition. Patch the eldest son of a smuggler had been forced to mortgage his Exeter farm and subsequently fled to London in order to dodge his creditors. While there he met Blight a ship-breaker who proposed that he become a partner in the business. Patch agreed but lacked the money to pay for his share and killed Blight instead. In passing sentence the judge told Patch: "you began this practice in fraud continued it in ingratitude and completed it by shedding the blood of your friend and benefactor." This item appears to have been extracted from a bound volume owned by Edward Mangin 1772-1852 an Irish writer translator and cleric. The lengthy note to the front free endpaper concerns the case of Elizabeth Fenning a domestic servant accused of murdering her employer whose trial and execution became a national cause celebre. Many believed Fenning innocent among them Charles Dickens. Mangin remarks that Fenning was "the victim of the combined wickedness & obscenity of her prosecutors; . the brutality and filthy national prejudices of a rabble jury; and the infamous scribbling of a time-serving prostitute villain the editor of the Sunday Observer newspaper." The notes are likely based on a copy of The Important Results of an Elaborate Investigation into the Mysterious Case of Eliza Fenning 1815 and reference an article written b. unknown books
1798Best.-Nr. 751211798. London: Plummer Printer 1798. 8 pp. London: Plummer Printer 1798. 8 pp. A Copyright Case Concerning Navigational Charts Trial. Moore John Hamilton 1738-1807 Defendant. Trial of John Hamilton Moore for Pirating a Chart. Sittings After Term March 1798 Before Lord Kenyon and a Special Jury of Merchants. Guildhall London. Heather and Williams v. John Hamilton Moore Drop-Head Title. London: Plummer Printer 1798. 8 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light toning faint fold lines to corners. $950. First edition. Moore a Scottish cartographer chart seller and educator with a somewhat controversial reputation was accused of copying a chart of the coasts of France Spain and Portugal drawn up by William Heather. The case was heard before Lord Kenyon with the prosecution led by Erskine; the jury quickly found for the defendant despite Kenyon's balanced instruction. Another 4 pp. edition of the trial appeared c.1801. OCLC locates 5 copies of the 8 pp. edition 2 in North America Harvard Law School Boston Public Library. We located another at the Society of the Cincinnati. English Short-Title Catalogue T196045. unknown books
1688Best.-Nr. 689851688. Edinburgh 1688. First edition. Edinburgh 1688. First edition. Scottish Murder Trial This Imprint Not in the ESTC Trial. Standsfield Philip d. 1688 Defendant. The Tryal of Philip Standsfield Son to Sir James Standsfield of New-Milns For the Murder of His Father And Other Crimes Libel'd Against Him. Published by Authority. Edinburgh: Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson Printer to the King's Most Sacred Majesty Anno Dom. 1688. 44 pp. Folio 11" x 7". Later three-quarter calf over marbled boards rebacked gilt title to spine endpapers renewed. Moderate rubbing to board edges corners bumped and somewhat worn. Light browning and occasional faint dampspotting to text light soiling to title page small fragment of label near center. $950. First edition. One of three issues from 1688 ours not recorded in the ESTC. Sir James Standsfield the founder and director of a woolen mill was murdered by his son Philip after he was disinherited for leading a dissolute life. The ESTC lists a similar copy with 32 pages and the same title publisher and date R217941. We located copies with a collation identical to ours at Harvard Law School and Indiana University. All issues are scarce; taken together OCLC locates 14 copies 3 in North American law libraries Harvard which has 2 copies University of Minnesota. unknown books
1822Best.-Nr. 726351822. Edinburgh 1822. First edition. Edinburgh 1822. First edition. Tried for Killing Boswell's Son in a Duel Trial. Stuart James 1775-1849 Defendant. The Trial of James Stuart Esq. Younger of Dunearn Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh On Monday June 10 1822. With an Appendix of Documents. Taken in Short Hand. Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co./London: Hurst Robinson and Co.: James Ridgway 1822. iv 186 2 20 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Period-style quarter calf over marbled boards lettering piece and blind fillets to spine marbled edges endpapers renewed. Moderate toning to text light foxing to a few leaves light soiling and owner signature "Archd. Speirs Esq. of Eldersley" to title page faint fold line to its upper outside corner. A nice copy in a handsome binding. $950. First edition. The son of Samuel Johnson's associate James Boswell Sir Alexander Boswell First Baronet 1775-1822 was a Scottish poet antiquary and songwriter. He used the funds from his inheritance to purchase a seat in Parliament and later achieved a Baronetcy for his political support of the government. After he left Parliament Boswell wrote a series of anonymous essays denouncing James Stuart a prominent Whig. When Stuart suspected Boswell's authorship he demanded that Boswell deny authorship or apologize. Boswell refused to do either so Stuart challenged him to a duel. Boswell deliberately fired wide but Stuart who had never before handled a gun shot Boswell in the collarbone. The wound was fatal. Despite Boswell's popularity Stuart was acquitted unanimously. Archibald Speirs 1758-1832 this copy's former owner was a member of Parliament for Renfrewshire and a prominent local landowner. Like Stuart he was involved in local politics and the two likely knew each other. Both men attended a contentious county meeting in Renfrew in January 1816 Moss. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1200. Moss The Duel Between Sir Alexander Boswell and James Stuart 89. unknown books
1827Best.-Nr. 699681827. A Radical Reverend Tried for Blasphemy Trial. Taylor Robert 1784-1884 Defendant. Trial of the Rev. Robert Taylor A.B. & M.R.C.S.: Upon a Charge of Blasphemy With His Defence As Delivered by Himself Before the Lord Chief Justice and a Special Jury On Wednesday October 24 1827: And as Corrected and Supplied with the Additions which Occurred in Delivery From the Morning Chronicle Herald Times Sun &c. London: Printed by John Brooks 1827. 34 pp. Portrait frontispiece. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light rubbing to extremities frontispiece partially detached moderate toning to text somewhat heavier in places "6" in early hand to head of title page. $950. First edition one of two editions published in 1827. Trained as a surgeon Taylor left medicine for the church in 1809. His career as a cleric was somewhat derailed by his adoption of increasingly freethinking religious views and he was tried for blasphemy after delivering an unorthodox sermon about Christ's character. He was convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. OCLC locates no copies of the first edition in North America and 8 of the second 3 in law libraries Harvard; University of Missouri; Worcester MA Trial Court Library. Library Hub locates 1 copy of the first edition London Library. McCoy Freedom of the Press T38. unknown books
1804Best.-Nr. 707241804. Philadelphia & New York 1804. Philadelphia & New York 1804. Designed to Display the Corruption of the Irish Nobility Trial. Taylour Thomas Marquess of Headfort 1757-1829 Defendant. A Report of the Trial on an Action for Damages Brought by the Reverend Charles Massy Against the Most Noble the Marquis of Headfort For Criminal Conversation With Plaintiff's Wife: Damages Laid at 40000. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by P. Byrne And for B. Dornin New-York 1804. vii 95 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling to exterior a few minor tears and chips to edges of a few leaves stitching loose first signature detached. Light browning to text faint dampstaining to foot of text block light foxing to a few leaves. $950. Only American edition. At head of title: Ten Thousand Pounds Damages Summer Assizes Trial at Ennis County of Clare on 27th July 1804 Before the Hon. Baron Smith And a Special Jury. The Marquis of Headfort a member of the Irish House of Commons eloped with the wife of a clergyman who was awarded 10000 damages. The Patrick Byrne and Bernard Dornin were Irish political radicals living in exile. Published shortly after its printing in Ireland this American imprint which was issued in New York and Philadelphia was probably issued to display the corruption of the Irish nobility. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 12010. unknown books
1817Best.-Nr. 657281817. With a Duplicate Colored Frontispiece Annotated by George Cruikshank Trial. Thistlewood Arthur 1770-1820 Defendant. Watson James Defendant. Preston Thomas Defendant. Hooper John Defendant. Cruikshank Isaac 1764-1811 Illustrator. Cruikshank George 1792-1878 Annotation. High Treason!! The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of Arthur Thistlewood Gent. James Watson The Elder Surgeon Thomas Preston Cordwainer And John Hooper Labourer: Upon an Indictment Found Against Them for High Treason. Fairburn's Edition. London: Printed by W. Marchant; Published by John Fairburn 1817. 23 parts comprising 360 numbered columns. Folding frontispiece two plates. Complete. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4"; 22.86 x 14.60 cm. Original plain paper-covered publisher boards with contrasting spine untrimmed edges. Some soiling and staining moderate edgewear spine abraded and worn front board detached early owner signature L. Palmer and later owner bookplate of William Hartmann Woodin 1868-1934 to front pastedown. Moderate toning to text minor oil stains and dampstains to a few leaves. Brief annotations in pencil to front pastedown and verso folding plates both entry references to Douglas's Works of George Cruikshank interior otherwise clean. Duplicate of folding frontispiece hand-colored and with an annotation by George Cruikshank laid in. It is lightly soiled lightly edgeworn and beginning to tear along fold lines later reference annotation to Douglas bibliography to top margin. Items housed in a quarter-morocco over cloth slipcase with raised bands and gilt title to spine. Moderate rubbing to extremities. A unique copy of a rare title. $950. First and only edition. A "Fairburn's Edition" which provides the "whole proceedings" of the trials. It includes verbatim accounts of the evidence presented arguments from defense attorneys and the cross-examination of witnesses. The trials occurred during a period of significant post-Napoleonic War economic hardship and political repression in Britain. The defendants were part of a movement advocating for radical reforms like universal suffrage and land redistribution. The men organized two mass meetings at Spa Fields to protest and petition the Prince Regent. While the first meeting was largely peaceful the second on December 2 1816 devolved into a riot. unknown books
1817Best.-Nr. 619331817. Appeals of murder were abolished after this case. Appeals of murder were abolished after this case. "Diabolically Ravished Murdered And Thrown Into a Pit" Trial. Thornton Abraham c.1793-1860 Defendant. Horrible Rape and Murder!! The Affecting Case of Mary Ashford A Beautiful Young Virgin Who was Diabolically Ravished Murdered And Thrown Into a Pit As She Was Returning From a Dance; Including the Trial of Abraham Thornton For the Wilful Murder of the Said Mary Ashford; With the Whole of the Evidence Charge to the Jury &c. Tried at Warwick Assizes Before Mr. Justice Holroyd On the 8th of August 1817. Taken in Short Hand. To Which is Added Copious Elucidations of this Extraordinary Case; And a Correct Plan of the Spot Where the Rape and Murder were Committed &c. &c. London: Published by John Fairburn 1817. ii 60 columns 34 pp 64 1 pp. Several newspaper clippings concerning this case pasted to final leaf rear wrapper and verso of title page. Woodcut folding map of crime scene. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers untrimmed edges. Some soiling and edgewear spine and fold-lines of table reinforced fore-edge mended some toning to text. Early owner inscriptions to front wrapper "Bright" and "St John Crookes" and verso of map "St John Crookes/ Sunderland/ 1856". $950. "Third Edition." Abraham Thornton a bricklayer was accused of the rape and murder of Mary Ashford when she was found dead the morning after a dance where the two had been seen together. Thornton admitted that the two had been consensually intimate but denied the charges of rape and murder. Eyewitness accounts backed up his story and in the absence of other evidence he was acquitted of both charges. Public outcry around his acquittal led to Mary's brother William invoking an "appeal of murder." This uncommon legal practice allowed a retrial of a defendant acquitted for murder but crucially gave the defendant the right to trial by battle. Thornton invoked that right and was released after William Ashford declined the challenge. The case resulted in the abolition of appeals by murder and thus the end of trial by battle. Despite his protestations of innocence the public was thoroughly convinced of his guilt. Unable to lead a normal life Thornton moved to the United States and settled in Baltimore Maryland. One of the former owners of our copy may have been John Bright 1811-1889 a r. unknown books
