3.233 Ergebnisse
1804Best.-Nr. 704961804. A Landmark Case in the History of the First Amendment Trial. Hamilton Alexander 1757-1804 et Al. Crosswell Harry 1778-1858 Defendant. The Speeches at Full Length of Mr Van Ness Mr. Caines the Attorney-General Mr. Harrison And General Hamilton In the Great Cause of the People Against Harry Croswell On an Indictment for a Libel on Thomas Jefferson President of the United States. New York: Printed by G. & R. Waite 1804. 78 pp. Octavo 8" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning occasional light foxing negligible light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. $1250. Only edition. People of the State of New York v. Harry Croswell also known as People v. Croswell is a landmark case in the history of the First Amendment. It was a prosecution for criminal libel under the Sedition Act in the Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Columbia County New York. Croswell was indicted for an article published in The Wasp a Federalist newspaper he edited that accused Jefferson of hiring James Callender to write articles attributing various crimes to Washington and Adams. Crosswell was defended by a distinguished team of lawyers among them Alexander Hamilton. In one of his greatest and most influential speeches and one of the last he gave in his lifetime Hamilton argued that freedom of the press consists in publishing the truth from good motives and for justifiable ends however it may reflect on its subjects. More important he argued for a rejection of libel based on English rules which remained a part of New York law especially the rule that truthfulness is not a reason for acquittal. Croswell was convicted but he was not sentenced or retried. And the cause of his case was mooted the following year when the New York State Legislature abandoned English libel law in favor of one based on Hamilton's argument. It became the law of the land when the other states and the Federal government followed New York's example. Ford Bibliotheca Hamiltoniana 90. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13322. unknown books
1841Best.-Nr. 652231841. The Times Testimonial. London 1841. Rare. The Times Testimonial. London 1841. Rare. One of the Most Detailed Accounts of a Major Nineteenth-Century Financial Swindle Trial. Hughes W. Hughes Editor. "The Times" Testimonal: Report of the Trial of the Action Bogle Versus Lawson For a Libel Published in "The Times" London-Newspaper Tried at the Summer Assizes for the Country of Surrey Held at Croydon Monday August 16 1841 Before the Right Honourable Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal Knt. Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas And a Special Jury; Together with the Proceedings of a Public Meeting of Merchants Bankers and Others Held at the Mansion House London Friday October 1 1841 On the Subject of Such Action And of the Committee then Appointed; And Also a List of Subscribers to "The Times" Testimonial. Published by the Committee. London: John Hatchard and Son Henry Butterworth and Pelham Richardson 1841. 179 1 pp. Half-title lacking. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Recent quarter cloth over marbled boards printed paper title label to spine. Some toning to text light soiling to title page. A nice copy of a rare title. $1250. First edition. A sensational case of a million-pound plot to defraud continental bankers by forged letters of credit or lettres circulaires purporting to have been issued by the bankers Glyn Hallifax Mills & Co. The plot was exposed by a Times of London correspondent in a letter published in the newspaper on 26th May 1840 which referred to "the great forgery company established on the continent lately detected" and naming the co-conspirators. These included the Marquis of Bourbel "the chief of the gang" the Baron Louis d'Arjuzon alias De Castel Pipe "an Englishman who professes to be a solicitor in London" and Cunningham Graham "an anonymous partner in the house of Bogle Kerrich and Co." The case was sensational in both social and in banking circles. It exposed the largely unregulated and certainly sloppy banking practices associated with letters of credit easy to forge and difficult to police and the almost brilliant ingenuity of an international gang of con men. The naming of Allan George Bogle-who was almost certainly involved-triggered this libel action against John Joseph Lawson the printer and publisher of the Times and resulted in the award of one farthing damages for Bogle but enormous expense and the co. unknown books
1817Best.-Nr. 714681817. Boston: Thomas G. Bangs 1817. Boston: Thomas G. Bangs 1817. Fatally Struck by a Loggerhead: McDade 746 Trial. Philips Henry. Trial of Henry Philips for the Murder of Gaspard Dennegri sic. Supreme Judicial Court Boston January 9 1817. Boston: Printed by Thomas G. Bangs 1817. 24 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5". 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. $1250. 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 Philips was found guilty of murder and hanged" McDade. OCLC locates 9 copies 2 in law libraries Library of Congress Social Law. McDade The Annals of Murder 746. unknown books
1873Best.-Nr. 660611873. Lockport NY: M.C. Richardson and Co. 1873. Lockport NY: M.C. Richardson and Co. 1873. A Successful "Mania Transitoria" Defense 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". 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. $1250. 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
1873Best.-Nr. 712941873. Philadelphia: Published by Barclay & Co. 1873. Philadelphia: Published by Barclay & Co. 1873. A Love Triangle Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Murder 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". 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. $1250. Only edition one of two issues. "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. In retaliation Fisk had charged Stokes with embezzling oil company funds; Stokes replied with a charge of false imprisonment. Then Mansfield threatened to publish letters from Fisk revealing some of his transactions. On January 5 an injunction was issued restraining the publication of the letters; on the next day Josie Mansfield was exposed to a humiliating cross-examination in police court on her relations with Fisk. Stokes in a rage followed Fisk to the Broadway Central Hotel where he shot him on the stairs. After two trials the state could only convict Stokes of third-degree manslaughter" McDade annotation to 917. This Barclay account was published after the second trial. It was also issued by Barclay with the imprint: "Cleveland Ohio: Great Western Publishing Company 1872." OCLC locates 2 copies in law libraries Harvard Yale both with the Philadelphia imprint. McDade The Annals of Murder 922. unknown books
1846Best.-Nr. 718221846. A Rare Account of the Bickford Murder Trial: McDade 987 Trial. Tirrell Albert J. Defendant. Estabrook Silas Primary Author. Eccentricities & Anecdotes of Albert John Tirrell The Reputed Murderer of the Beautiful Maria Bickford Who Met Her Untimeley Fate on the Night of the 25th October 1845 In the Moral and Religious City of Boston. With an Appendix Presenting the Most Authentic Evidence Concerning the Murder. By a Lady of Weymouth Mass. Boston: Published and For Sale by All the Periodical Dealers 1846. 5-48 i.e. 32 pp. Octavo 9-3/4" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet in pictorial wrappers publisher advertisement to verso of rear wrapper of another account of the Bickford murder untrimmed edges. Moderate edgewear and soiling spine abraded wrappers partially detached at ends. Light browning and foxing faint dampstaining in places "2" in early hand to head of front wrapper small doodle along fore-edge near foot "Maria Bickford" in faint early hand in pencil to head of p.5. $1250. Only edition. "The murder of a harlot seems to lend a special interest to a case which is measurable by the many publications which ensue. . The Tirrell case is one of the triumphs of Rufus Choate who convinced the jury that his client did not cut the throat of Mrs. Bickford or if he did he did it in his sleep. The defense of somnambulism by Choate might well join that other classic of defense put forth by Delphin Michael Delmas who as counsel for Harry K. Thaw pleaded 'dementia Americana'" McDade. McDade says most of this account is "pure fiction but there are some facts on the crime." OCLC locates no non-virtual copies of this imprint. McDade The Annals of Murder 987 synopsis of case from entry 986. unknown books
1663Best.-Nr. 10268Paris, Imprimerie d'Antoine Vitré, 1663. 4 pièces reliées en 1 vol. in-4, veau brun granité, dos orné à nerfs, pièce de titre en maroquin rouge, double filet doré d'encadrement et armes grattées sur les plats, tranches jaspées (reliure de l'époque).
1773Best.-Nr. 40424Paris, Imprimerie de Valleyre, 1773. In-4 de 42 pp. Cordier, 332. Supplément au Mémoire à consulter pour Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Ecuyer, Conseiller-Secrétaire du Roi & Lieutenant-Général des Chasses au Bailliage & Capitainerie de la Varenne du Louvre, Grande Vénerie & Fauconnerie de France, accusé en corruption de Juge & calomnie. De l'Imprimerie de Quillau, 1773. In-4 de 64 pp. Cordier, 334. Addition au Supplément au Mémoire à consulter pour Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Écuyer, Conseiller-Secrétaire du Roi & Lieutenant-Général des Chasses au Bailliage & Capitainerie de la Varenne du Louvre, Grande Vénerie & Fauconnerie de France, accusé : servant de Réponse à Madame Goezman accusée, au Sieur Bertrand Dairolles, accusé, aux Sieurs Marin, Gazetier de France, & Darnaud Baculard, Conseiller d'Ambassade, assignés comme témoins. Paris, de l'Imprimerie de Ph. D. Pierres, 1774. In-4 de 78 pp. Cordier, 336. Requête d'Atténuation pour le Sr Caron de Beaumarchais. A Paris, de l'imprimerie de Knapen, 1773. In-4 de (2)-28 pp. Cordier, 337. Quatrième Mémoire à consulter, pour Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, Écuyer, Conseiller-Secrétaire du Roi, Lieutenant-Général des Chasses, &c. Accusé de corruption de Juge. Contre M. Goezman, Juge accusé de subornation & de faux ; Madame Goezman, & le Sieur Bertrand, accusés ; les Sieurs Marin, Gazetier ; Darnaud-Baculard, Conseiller d'Ambassade ; & Consorts. Et réponse ingénue à leurs Mémoires, Gazettes, Lettres courantes, Cartels, Injures, & mille & une Diffamations. De l'Imprimerie de J.G. Clousier, 10 Février 1774. In-4 de 108-(1) pp. 5 pièces reliées en un vol. in-4, basane marbrée, dos orné à nerfs, pièce de titre en maroquin rouge, tranches rouges (reliure de l'époque).
Best.-Nr. 11788s.l., s.n., s.d., Paris, Didot, 1767, Paris, Gueffier, 1769, Grenoble, Giroud, 1769, 1 plein veau marbré, dos à nerfs, tranches rouge, ex-libris armorié collé sur le contreplat, dos et plats frottés, coins émoussés, 1 coiffe manquante. in-4, 1 ff. blanc avec notes manuscrites d'époque, 227 pp., IV-326 pp. + 1 feuillet d'errata, (2)-179-11 pp., 35 pp., 2 ff.n.c., et 2 feuillets manuscrits, 3 grands tableaux généalogiques dépliants (familles De Clermont, Clermont-Tonnerre ;
Best.-Nr. 161583 vol. in-8, maroquin rouge de l'époque, plats estampés à froid de motifs végétaux, double filet doré en encadrement sur les plats, dos à nerfs orné de frises dorés et de fleurons à froid, tranches dorées (frottements).
1775Best.-Nr. YRG-186In-8, plein veau havane glacé, dos lisse avec caisson et fleurons dorés. Pièce de titre en maroquin rouge, absente au tome deux, et tomaison en maroquin vert olive. Plats encadrés d'un triple filet doré et orné de palmettes en écoinçon. Tranches rouges. Frottements d'usage. Sans date, circa 1775, quelques rousseurs, coins émoussés. Édition qui réunit cinq mémoires.
1762Best.-Nr. PHO-1872Paris, Pierre-Guillaume Simon, 1762. In-4, pp. [iv], viii, 542-1f.-IX-109pp. (texte manuscrit) ; texte en latin sur 2 colonnes avec sa traduction en français, faux-titre, vignette gravée sur bois au titre, culs-de-lampe, relié plein veau marbré époque, dos à nerfs orné avec pièce de titre, tranches rouges, coiffes sup. arasée, frottement aux charnières
1867Best.-Nr. 684671867. London 1867. London 1867. Was Dr. Hunter a Charlatan Trial. Hunter Robert Plaintiff. Pall Mall Gazette Respondent. Dr. Hunter Versus Pall Mall Gazette: Being a Verbatim Report of the Medical Evidence Given by Dr. Williams Dr. Risdon Bennett Dr. Orlando Markham Dr. George Johnson Dr. Cotton Dr. Richard Quain and Dr. Odling Showing Their Opinions on the Nature Causes and Cure of Consumption: With Explanatory Remarks by Dr. Hunter The Plaintiff. London: Printed by C. Mitchell and Co. 1867. 404 pp. 4 woodcut text illustrations. Octavo 8" x 5". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spine. Light soiling and shelfwear some chipping to edges of lettering pieces. Moderate toning to text minor stains to a few leaves light soiling a faint stain and a library stamp to title page library annotations to verso. A scarce title. $1000. Only edition. One of the most famous cases of its day it is fascinating for it insights into medical jurisprudence the Victorian medical profession and the treatment of tuberculosis consumption. Hunter an American doctor had antagonized English doctors by claiming to have developed a better set of therapies to treat the tuberculosis. A shrewd self-promoter he publicized his views widely and attracted a large number of patients. He had several critics. One of them published an article attacking him in the Pall Mall Gazette titled "Dupes and Imposters." Hunter sued. After many hours of medical testimony the jury "vindicated" Hunter but awarded him only 1 farthing in damages. This contemptuous award indicated that the jury considered him a charlatan. OCLC locates 12 copies 3 in North American law libraries Harvard Jenkins Social Law. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School II:1109. unknown
1790Best.-Nr. 709551790. 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. Lacking final 8 leaves of publisher advertisements. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-3/4". Contemporary tree calf gilt spine with lettering piece gilt tooling to board edges edges of text block colored yellow. Some minor nicks and scratches to boards light rubbing to extremities some wear to spine ends joints starting at ends corners bumped and lightly worn hinges starting light toning to text. An attractive wide-margined copy in a lovely original binding. $1000. First edition. Stockdale a publisher and bookseller was indicted for libel on 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. English Short-Title Catalogue T83638. unknown
Best.-Nr. 35115....Procureurs-Généraux, Charette de La Gacherie, Picquet de Montreiul, Euzenou de Kerfalaun, du Bourgblanc, Charette de La Colinière, Conseillers au Parlement de Bretagne, le Marquis de Poulpry, Lieutenant-Général des Armées du Roi, de Begasson, Chevalier, Seigneur de La Lardais, Robert de La Bélangerais etc, etc... Chez Manoury, libraire en 1770. 4 vols. in-12 en veau blond blond, raciné d'époque. Dos à 5 nerfs ornés avec pièces de titre et de tomaison. Tranches rouges. Portrait et 4 planches. 357, 427, 240 et 497 pages. Bon état. Rare.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
