Trial; Margarot, Maurice, DefendantBiblio.com
3.233 Ergebnisse
1794Best.-Nr. 788761794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. A Member of the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" Trial. Margarot Maurice Defendant 1745-1815. The Trial of Maurice Margarot Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh On the 13th and 14th of January 1794 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Shorthand by Mr. Ramsey. New York: London: Printed. New-York: Re-Printed by James Carey no. 91 Broad-street 1794. 166 pp. Portrait frontispiece of Margarot. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior occasional light foxing frontispiece and title page just starting to separate at head but secure. $250. Only New York edition reprinted from the London edition of the same year. Margarot was one of the founding members of the London Corresponding Society a radical group inspired by the French Revolution to demand parliamentary reform in the late eighteenth century. Due to the wave of anti-radical and anti-French hysteria initiated by the French Revolution he and four other radicals later known as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" were convicted and transported to Australia in May 1794. English Short-Title Catalogue W20960. unknown
1917Best.-Nr. 797951917. New York: Mother Earth Publishing Assn. 1917. New York: Mother Earth Publishing Assn. 1917. The Trial of America's Most Famous Anarchists Trial. Goldman Emma 1869-1940 Defendant. Berkman Alexander 1870-1936 Defendant. Anarchism on Trial: Speeches of Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman Before the United States District Court in the City of New York July 1917. New York: Mother Earth Publishing Association 1917. 87 9 pp. With 2 portraits of Berkman and Goldman and 9 pp. of publisher advertisements. Pamphlet in printed wrappers bound in recent quarter cloth over plain paper boards typed label to front board endpapers added 8-1/4" x 5-1/2" publisher's advertisement for this title laid in. Light shelfwear cloth starting to separate from rear board at head library bookplate to inner front board. Light toning to interior faint offsetting to front wrapper small clean tear to upper corner of title page which has punch and ink library stamps not affecting text small chips and tears to fore-edge of laid-in sheet. $450. Only edition. Published by Goldman's anarchist magazine Mother Earth this pamphlet documents the trial of anarchist activists Alexander Berkman and Emma Goldman who were outspoken opponents of U.S. entry into World War I and called for men to refuse conscription. Both were found guilty of violating the Espionage Act which punished obstruction of the draft or encouragement of disloyalty to the United States. They were sentenced to two years in prison and a $10000 fine. Both were deported to Russia upon their release under the terms of the 1918 Anarchist Exclusion Act. Titled "The Present Situation in re Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman" the laid-in sheet encourages all "sufficiently interested in free speech and fair play" to circulate Anarchism on Trial and donate funds towards an appeal. unknown
1830Best.-Nr. 777401830. Dover: Published by Geo. W. Ela 1830. Dover: Published by Geo. W. Ela 1830. Libel and Press Freedom in 1830 New Hampshire Trial. Hill Horatio b.1807 Defendant. Barton Cyrus 1795-1855 Defendant. Report of the Case of Timothy Upham against Hill & Barton Publishers of the New-Hampshire Patriot For Alleged Libels At the Court of Common Pleas Rockingham County March and October Terms.1830. Dover: Published by Geo. W. Ela 1830. 159 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet front and rear wrappers lacking later hand-lettered title to spine edges untrimmed. Light browning light edgewear to several leaves light foxing and soiling in a few places light creasing to last few leaves pencil marks and brief annotations to a few pages small tear to title page affecting text without loss to legibility final leaf separated with small tears but secured by thread. $500. Only edition. Hill and Barton publishers of the New Hampshire Patriot and Star Gazette accused Upham of impropriety during his time as Collector of Customs at Portsmouth and "impaired his candidacy for Governor by calling him a smuggler and a federalist" Cohen. Upham sued for damages of $10000; the trial resulted in a hung jury and the case was slated for retrial at the court's next session. OCLC locates 5 copies of this title in law libraries Yale Library of Congress Harvard University of Missouri The Ohio State University. Cohen Bibliography of American Law 12070. McCoy Freedom of the Press U236. unknown
1794Best.-Nr. 779351794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. A Member of the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" Trial. Margarot Maurice Defendant 1745-1815. The Trial of Maurice Margarot Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh On the 13th and 14th of January 1794 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Shorthand by Mr. Ramsey. New York: London: Printed.-New-York: Re-Printed by James Carey no. 91 Broad-street 1794. 166 pp. Portrait frontispiece laid-in between pp. 52-53. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning occasional light foxing light edgewear to several leaves first and final few leaves separating but secure. $250. Only New York edition reprinted from the London edition of the same year. Margarot was one of the founding members of the London Corresponding Society a radical group inspired by the French Revolution to demand parliamentary reform in the late eighteenth century. Due to the wave of anti-radical and anti-French hysteria initiated by the French Revolution he and four other radicals later known as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" were convicted and transported to Australia in May 1794. English Short-Title Catalogue W20960. unknown
1676Best.-Nr. 751371676. A Powerful Defense of Habeas Corpus Trial. Shaftesbury Anthony Ashley Cooper Earl of 1621-1683 Defendant. The Case of Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury; As it was Argued before His Majesties Justices of the Kings Bench Trin. Term. 29. Car. 2. Being Upon His Confinement in the Tower &c. With a Speech of this Worthy Earl Pleading His Own Case And the Liberty of the Subject. London: Printed by K.P. for C.R. 1679. 16 pp. Folio 12" x 7-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Light toning folio numbers to upper corners in an early hand upper corner of first leaf lacking with minor loss to "E" of "Case" negligible light foxing and soiling to a few pages. $500. Only edition. A founder of the Whig party and an important patron of John Locke Shaftesbury was a prominent English politician during the Interregnum and reign of King Charles II. He frequently clashed with the king and Tory leadership including in 1676 when he and allies argued that the current parliament was illegitimate and were subsequently sent to the Tower. When Shaftesbury's petition for release failed he brought a writ of habeas corpus. "In a very powerful argument he admitted the supreme judicature of the lords but denied their power to commit to indefinite imprisonment on a general warrant. The judges however said that they had no jurisdiction in the case and Shaftesbury was sent back to the Tower" DNB. Dictionary of National Biography accessed online. English Short-Title Catalogue R4010. unknown
1793Best.-Nr. 759751793. The Trial of a "Scottish Martyr" Trial. Palmer Thomas Fyshe 1747-1802 Defendant. The Trial of the Rev. Thomas Fyshe Palmer Before the Circuit Court of Justiciary Held at Perth On the 12th and 13th September 1793 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Court by Mr. Ramsey An Eminent Short-Hand Writer from London. With an Appendix. Edinburgh: Printed for W. Skirving 1793. 195 1 pp. Lacking portrait frontispiece. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling and a few faint stains to exterior light foxing to a few leaves clean tear to leaf O3 pp. 109-110 affecting text without loss to legibility. $125. Only edition. Palmer an English minister and political reformer active in Scotland was convicted of sedition in 1793 for circulating a radical address to the public. Along with six other men referred to as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" he was sentenced to seven years' transportation to Botany Bay. English Short-Title Catalogue T93757. unknown
1812Best.-Nr. 759851812. The Only Successful Attempt on the Life of a British Prime Minister Trial. Bellingham John 1769-1812 Defendant. The Trial of John Bellingham For the Assassination of the Right Honourable Spencer Perceval First Lord of the Treasury Chancellor of the Exchequer &c. &c. &c. In the Lobby of the House of Commons On Monday the 11th May 1812. Taken in Short Hand By Mr. Fraser. To Which is Added An Account of Bellingham's Execution On Monday May 18. London: Printed for R. Mercer 1812. ii 108 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior light foxing to title page and a few other leaves small chip to bottom-edge of final leaf. $500. Only edition. Bellingham was motivated by a baseless claim that the Crown owed him money as compensation for time he served in a Russian prison. He believed he was owed compensation because the government did not try to assist him. His murder of Perceval was the only successful attempt on the life of a British Prime Minister. OCLC locates 5 copies in North American law libraries Harvard LA County Social Law University of Pennsylvania York. Not in the British Museum Catalogue. unknown
1825Best.-Nr. 742171825. A "Fatal Catastrophe" in Nottingham Trial. Dewey Thomas d.1825 Defendant. A Copious Report of the Trial of Thomas Dewey For the Wilful Murder of Maria Austin Before the Hon. James Allan Park Knt. On Monday July 25 1825 At the Town Hall Nottingham. To Which is Added Some Particulars of His Life Character Behaviour And Execution. Copied from the Nottingham Review With Some Additions. Nottingham: Printed and Sold by Sutton and Son Review Office 1825. 22 pp. 12mo. 6-3/4" x 3-3/4. Stab-stitched pamphlet resewn into recent plain wrappers recent white label with shelf mark to front wrapper. Moderate toning to interior library stamp to verso of title page several leaves trimmed close on right margin with no loss to text very light foxing to last few leaves small tear to fore-edge of title page not affecting text. $500. Only edition. Thomas Dewey stabbed Maria Austin a neighbor and acquaintance after a quarrel in which she told him not to order her children about. Dewey claimed insanity and several witnesses testified to this effect but the judge and jury disagreed. He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Though it was unclear at trial whether a romantic connection between the two existed at the time of the murder the account appended to the trial in our work suggests that Dewey was a womanizer jealous of Austin's husband from whom she was estranged. It concludes with a poem titled "The Morning of Execution." OCLC locates 7 copies of this scarce title 3 in North America Harvard Law School Library of Congress University of Kansas. Library Hub locates no additional copies. unknown
1819Best.-Nr. 745771819. Concord NH: 1819. Concord NH: 1819. Daniel Webster for the Defense: A Landmark in His Career as a Lawyer Trials. Jackman Joseph. Goodridge Elijah Putnam 1787-1851 Defendant. The Sham-Robbery Committed by Elijah Putnam Goodridge On His Own Person In Newbury Near Essex Bridge Dec. 19 1816. With a History of His Journey to the Place Where He Robbed Himself. And His Trial with Mr. Ebenezer Pearson Whom He Maliciously Arrested for Robbery. Also the Trial of Levi & Laban Kenniston. Concord NH: Printed for the Author 1819. 151 1 pp. Bound with Powers Michael 1769-1820 Defendant. The Trial of Michael Powars sic For the Murder of Timothy Kennedy Before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts Boston April 11 1820. Boston: Published by Thomas G. Bangs 1820. 35 pp. 12mo 6-1/2" x 4-1/4"; 16.5 x 10.8 cm. Contemporary three-quarter sheep over marbled boards lettering piece and gilt fillets to spine early owner label of Albert C. Jenks to front board. Moderate rubbing to boards heavier rubbing to extremities with wear to spine ends and corners front board beginning to separate but secure rear hinge cracked armorial bookplate of Asa P. French dated 1913 and pasted over an earlier bookplate to front pastedown description of this item clipped from a bookseller catalogue tipped-in to front free endpaper. Light browning and foxing to interior. $500. Sham-Robbery: only edition; Trial: second and final edition published in the same year as the first. This volume collects accounts of two trials in which Daniel Webster served as a defense attorney. Jackman's Sham-Robbery is a detailed account by one of the accused of one of the trials connected with this Massachusetts case one of the most famous cases of its day. The respected and well-connected Major Goodridge's accusation of robbery against the witless low-life Kenniston brothers was supported by popular sentiment until Webster began his defense which meticulously unraveled the major's story and led to an acquittal. The trial was a landmark in Webster's legal career and his final address to the jury first printed here is considered a classic example of his oratorical skill. The Powers case involved a fatal encounter in Boston. As McDade notes: "Even the great Daniel Webster could not save Powers who was condemned for killing Kennedy. unknown
1834Best.-Nr. 734791834. Scottish Criminal Conversation Trial Interesting for Issues Concerning Intercepted Letters Trial. Murray William Defendant. Report of Trial in the Action of Damages for Crim. Con.: Poor Alexander Bell Teacher Dundee Versus William Murray Now or Lately Rector of the Dundee Academy Taken in Short-Hand; Containing a Discussion Upon the Law of Intercepted Correspondence. Edinburgh: s.n. 1834. 63 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent quarter cloth over marbled boards printed title to spine. Light soiling to cloth and negligible wear to corners front hinge cracked rear hinge starting at ends printed shelfmark and residue from removed bookplate to inner front board. Light toning to interior light foxing in a few places. A nice copy of a scarce title. $250. Only edition. This trial involved a teacher who was allegedly cuckolded by the rector of his school. The plaintiff's case rested on the admissibility of a letter said to have been sent by the wife to Murray but not received by him. OCLC locates 14 copies 7 in North American law libraries. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1015. unknown
1831Best.-Nr. 736581831. Conspiracy to Suppress a Will Trial. Hodgson Thomas Bent Primary Defendant. Report of the Trial of Thomas Bent Hodgson Esq. And Others Charged With a Conspiracy At the Court of King's Bench Guildhall London On Wednesday & Thursday The 21st & 22d of December 1831 By a Special Jury Before the Right Hon. Lord Tenterden. London: Printed by James & Luke G. Hansard & Sons 1831. 507 1 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Later buckram gilt title and date to spine endpapers renewed speckled edges. Boards bowing slightly light rubbing to extremities rear hinge cracked before final leaf small bookseller's ticket and later bookplate of Geoffrey Briggs to front pastedown. Light toning to interior light soiling in a few places somewhat heavier to title page corners lightly worn in a few places not affecting text crack in text block between pp. 14 and 15 first few leaves loosening at foot but secure brief annotations underlining and marks to margins in several places in an early hand. $250. Only edition. Hodgson and his co-defendants William Young Ann Young and Nancy Watson were accused of conspiring to suppress a will made by William Stephenson a friend of Hodgson and former employer of Watson and the Youngs. Despite what the jury deemed "highly unprofessional" conduct by the prosecutor Hodgson Watson and William Young were convicted; Ann Young was acquitted. Our copy was owned by Sir Geoffrey Briggs 1914-1993 an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of Hong Kong and Brunei. The brief but substantive notes likely precede his ownership. OCLC locates 6 copies of this title in law libraries Harvard Stanford University of Minnesota University of Virginia Library of Congress Social Law. unknown
1679Best.-Nr. 727661679. A Victim of the Popish Plot Trial. Popish Plot. Richard Langhorne Defendant c.1624-1679. The Tryall of Richard Langhorn Esq; Counsellor at Law: For Conspiring the Death of the King Subversion of the Government And Protestant Religion. Who Upon Full Evidence was Found Guilty of High Treason And Received Sentence Accordingly At the Sessions in the Old-Bayley Holden for London and Middlesex On Saturday Being the 14th. of June 1679. Published by Authority. London: Printed for H. Hills et al. 1679. ii 41 44-68 2 pp. Collates complete quire M paginated 41 44 45 44. Folio 12-1/2" x 7". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent quarter morocco over marbled boards. Light fading to morocco light rubbing to bottom edge. Moderate toning to interior light foxing and soiling in a few places illegible early marks to front endleaf and head of title page later small stamped "5" to front endleaf. A handsome copy. $250. Only edition. One of the cruelest hoaxes in British history and one that led to a wave of anti-Catholic violence the Popish Plot was the invention of Titus Oates an Anglican clergyman and his friend Dr. Israel Tonge a cleric and passionate anti-Catholic. They pretended to have discovered a Jesuit plot to assassinate the King massacre Protestants and set James Duke of York the King's Catholic brother on the throne. Langhorne was a Roman Catholic and had provided legal and financial advice to Jesuits in London. He was convicted of treason and executed and beatified as a Catholic martyr in 1929 by Pius XI. English Short-Title Catalogue R1705. unknown
1830Best.-Nr. 729131830. Edinburgh: Printed for Daniel Lizars 1830. Edinburgh: Printed for Daniel Lizars 1830. A Notable Scottish Estate Case Trial. Roy Robert Defendant. MacGregor Simon Reporter. Dundonnell Cause. Report of the Trial by Jury Thomas Mackenzie Esq. Against Robert Roy Esq. W.S. Reported by Simon MacGregor. May 11 1830. Edinburgh: Printed for Daniel Lizars by Ballantyne and Co. 1830. 84 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent period-style three-quarter calf over marbled boards raised bands and lettering piece to spine. Light rubbing to board edges. Light toning to interior light foxing and soiling in a few places. $250. Only edition. Roy a Scottish lawyer was accused of swindling an estate from his client Kenneth Mackenzie of Dundonnell by Mackenzie's son Thomas. The trial attracted several notable legal names among them Henry Cockburn who had secured an acquittal for Helen McDougal in the famous Burke and Hare murder trial the year before. His jury address and the exchanges between counsel are well-documented in our account. The jury was split and a second trial was held in January 1831 which resulted in Roy's conviction. OCLC locates 10 copies of this title 4 in North America Library of Congress University of Minnesota Law Harvard Law Los Angeles County Law. unknown
1793Best.-Nr. 731901793. Highly Politicized Trial of Scottish Radical Who Promoted Thomas Paine's Rights of Man Trial. Muir Thomas 1765-1798 Defendant. The Trial of Thomas Muir Younger of Huntershill Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh: On Friday the 30th of August 1793: On a Charge of Sedition. From the Records of the Court And Notes of the Evidence Taken During the Trial: To Which are Added The Speeches of the Lord Advocate Mr Muir And the Lord Justice Clerk Addressed to the Jury. Edinburgh: Printed for James Simpson and J. Hamilton 1793. iv 105 1 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Disbound edges untrimmed. Moderate toning somewhat heavier in places occasional light foxing light soiling in a few places final leaf detaching slightly at foot but secure. $250. Second expanded edition. Scots radical Thomas Muir an advocate was an ardent supporter of the American and French Revolutions and a proponent of comprehensive parliamentary reform in Great Britain. His activities in Great Britain and France eventually led to a highly politicized trial on sedition charges in 1793. In the end Muir was found guilty of distributing and promoting Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man. He was sentenced to fourteen years transportation to the Australian penal colony of Botany Bay. He had a remarkable escape but his health was ruined and he died soon afterwards. OCLC locates 7 copies of this edition 4 in North America Columbia Newberry Library University of Rochester Washington State Law Library. English Short-Title Catalogue T175339. unknown
1848Best.-Nr. 714031848. OCLS 2 copies. No copies found in U.S. law schools. OCLS 2 copies. No copies found in U.S. law schools. McDade 211: An Inept Poisoner Trial. Coolidge Valorous P. 1820-1849 Defendant. Trial of Dr. Valorous P. Coolidge For the Murder of Edward Mathews At Waterville Maine. As Reported For and Published in the Boston Daily Times. N.p.: S.n. 1848. 40 pp. Text in parallel columns. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6"; 24 x 15.2 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers untrimmed edges. Some wear to corners moderate browning heavier browning to leaves at beginning and end of text faint dampstaining in a few places tiny inkspots to a few leaves. $250. Only edition. Coolidge murdered Mathews with a shot of poison-laced brandy because Mathews refused to loan him money. When the body was found Coolidge was summoned by the coroner's jury to perform an autopsy on his own victim. After an inept series of attempts to hide his crime Coolidge was convicted and sentenced to hang. He cheated the gallows however by committing suicide. OCLC locates 7 copies in law libraries Yale Los Angeles County U.S. Supreme Court Library University of Maine Duke Seton Hall York University University of Pennsylvania. McDade The Annals of Murder 211. unknown
1830Best.-Nr. 714221830. The Jury Could Not Decide: McDade 572 Trial. Knapp John Francis Defendant. Trial of John Francis Knapp as Principal in the Second Degree for the Murder of Capt. Joseph White Before the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts At a Special Session Commenced at Salem July 20 1830. Reported for the Publishers. Boston: Published by Dutton and Wentworth 1830. 60 pp. Woodcut maps and illustration of the murder weapon. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Negligible light soiling to exterior tiny smudge to title page light toning. A nice copy of a scarce title. $500. Only edition. The murder of Joseph White a wealthy retired sea captain a conspiracy by a relative Joseph Knapp who hired his brother John Francis Knapp and the brothers Richard and George Crowninshield was one of the most famous trials of the 1830s. Joseph Knapp received immunity for turning in the Crowninshields. George Crowninshield had a good alibi that prevented his conviction. Richard Crowninshield escaped justice by hanging himself. John Francis Knapp was tried twice. He was convicted in his second trial and sentenced to death. OCLC locates 3 copies in law libraries Library of Congress University of Pennsylvania Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder 572. unknown
1825Best.-Nr. 699711825. London: Printed for Hatchard and Son 1825. London: Printed for Hatchard and Son 1825. A Trial Concerning the Status of Catholics in Early Nineteenth-Century Britain Trial. Atchison Thomas Defendant and Compiler. Trial of Captain Thomas Atchison Of the Royal Artillery By a General Court Martial At Malta; In Consequence of Having to be Exonerated from Firing Patteraro Salutes And Tolling a Roman Catholic Bell For the Church and Image Rites of Roman Catholic Priests. With an Appendix Describing Those Rites of the Romish and Greek Churches which British Protestant Troops Infantry as Well as Artillery Were Required by the Priests to Attend and Assist; Also The Nature of the Attendance and Assistance Consequently Ordered to be Given. With Official Documents on the Subject. London: Printed for Hatchard and Son 1825. viii 91 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-3/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet untrimmed edges front wrapper retained. Moderate edgewear and soiling front wrapper detached and worn "12" and owner signature in early hand at head moderate toning to text faint dampstaining to heads of a few leaves above text "From the Author" in contemporary had to verso of half-title. $500. Only edition. Atchison was accused of imposing Catholic practices on the soldiers under his command. Found guilty by a court-martial he was dismissed from the army. Atchison compiled this pamphlet to show he was the victim of anti-Catholic prejudice. OCLC locates 4 copies in North American law libraries Harvard Library of Congress Stanford York. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II: 1006. unknown
1824Best.-Nr. 699621824. London: Knight and Lacey Publishers 1824. London: Knight and Lacey Publishers 1824. The Trial and Execution of Henry Fauntleroy: A Landmark Case in British Financial History Trial Fauntleroy Henry 1785-1824 Defendant. Egan Pierce 1772-1849 Reporter. Pierce Egan's Account of the Trial of Mr.Fauntleroy For Forgery At the Session's-House In the Old Bailey On Saturday The 30th of October 1824 Before Mr.Justice Park and Mr.Baron Garrow. London: Knight and Lacey Publishers 1824. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". 67 1 pp. Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling and edgewear; moderate toning to text. Minor chips and tears to a few leaf margins not affecting text. Early ownership signature and "5" to head of title page. A very good copy. $500. Only edition. Henry Fauntleroy was a prominent English banker whose conviction for forgery became a cause celebre. Though he admitted to the acts he maintained they were committed solely to sustain his firm's credit. Despite the testimony of numerous merchants to his character and multiple appeals for clemency he was executed in November 1824. He remains one of the last individuals in Great Britain to be hanged for forgery before it ceased to be a capital offense in 1836. The ownership inscription on the title page belongs to "Thos. Fisher / 3 Union Street / Bath" likely Thomas Fisher 1787-1863 a mid-nineteenth-century British solicitor. British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 9:70. unknown
1794Best.-Nr. 688001794. taken in short-hand by Joseph Gurney. taken in short-hand by Joseph Gurney. Treason Trial of a Notable Manchester Cotton Merchant and Political Radical Trial. Walker Thomas 1749-1817 Principal Defendant. Gurney Joseph 1744-1815 Reporter. The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Indictment Against Thomas Walker of Manchester Merchant William Paul Samuel Jackson James Cheetham Oliver Pearsall Benjamin Booth And Joseph Collier; For a Conspiracy to Overthrow the Constitution and Government And to Aid and Assist the French Being the King's Enemies in Case they Should Invade this Kingdom. Tried at the Assizes at Lancaster April 2 1794 Before the Hon. Mr. Justice Heath One of the Judges of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas. Taken in Short-Hand by Joseph Gurney. Manchester: Printed for T. Boden 1794. xvi 134 2 pp. With a half-title and errata leaf. Octavo 7-3/4" x 4-3/4". Later library cloth calf lettering piece to spine. Light soiling and shelfwear light chipping to edges of lettering piece. Moderate toning to text somewhat heavier in places light foxing to a few leaves library stamp to title page library mark in pencil to verso. $250. Only edition. A cotton merchant by trade Walker was a well-connected radical and social reformer. His circle of friends and acquaintances included Thomas Paine Charles James Fox Josiah Wedgwood Joseph Priestley and John Horne Tooke. He and his friends aroused suspicion during the anti-radical hysteria in Great Britain that followed the outbreak of the French Revolution. That was the basis of the treason trial of Walker and several of his associates. The defence was conducted by Thomas Erskine. The trial showed that the evidence was perjured so the charge was abandoned. English Short-Title Catalogue T81558. unknown
1811Best.-Nr. 683861811. A Notable Study of Tax Indebtedness Trial. Hughes T.B. A Report of the Case of the King Against Bebb and Others. Assignees of Castell and Powell Bankrupts; On an Extent: With Explanatory Notes and an Appendix of Some Cases and Records in Extents Which Have Not Been Before Printed. London: Printed by A. Strahan 1811. iv 244 pp. Half-title lacking. Octavo 8" x 5". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spine small shelf label to foot. Light soiling moderate rubbing to extremities corners bumped and lightly worn front hinge cracked front free endpaper lacking. Moderate toning to text faint stains to foot of pp. 176-177 two library inkstamps and embossed stamp to title page annotations to verso. $250. Only edition. Abolished in 1947 a writ of extent was a remedy employed by the crown to recover unpaid taxes from a debtor or bankrupt. This book a combination of treatise and report examines the nature of these writs through a scholarly account with notes and a historical appendix of the important Exchequer case of John Bebb and others assignees of the bankrupt London banking house of Castell and Powell. Bebb and others assignees of Castell and Powell were countersued by the government for the right to assets that would cover payment of bills of exchange drawn by a Newcastle bank against tax-collection funds they were holding on deposit. The drafts had been accepted by the now bankrupt Castell and Powell who had turned them over to the commissioners of excise as collateral for the Newcastle tax deposits payable in thirty days. At issue was the right of the Crown to sue a debtor Castell and Powell of a tax-owing debtor the Newcastle bank. Sweet & Maxwell A Legal Bibliography of the British Commonwealth 2:175. unknown
1794Best.-Nr. 651461794. taken in short-hand by Joseph Gurney. taken in short-hand by Joseph Gurney. "Mr. Thomas Walker Commenced his Virulence Against Me." Trial. Roberts William Defendant. Gurney Joseph Reporter. The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Action Brought by Thomas Walker Merchant Against William Roberts Barrister at Law For a Libel. Tried by a Special Jury at the Assizes at Lancaster March 28 1791 Before the Hon. Sir Alexander Thomson Knight One of the Barons of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer. Taken in Short Hand by Joseph Gurney. Manchester: Printed by Charles Wheeler 1791 208 pp. Lacking half-title. Bound with Roberts William. Supplementary Facts and Observations Occasioned by Mr. Walker's Publication of His Prosecution of Mr. Roberts; With Notes &c. Manchester: S.n. 1791. 24 pp. Octavo 7-3/4" x 4-3/4". Recent marbled boards printed title label to spine speckled edges. Moderate toning light foxing and minor stains to a few leaves light soiling to title pages minor staining along gutter of the title page to The Whole Proceedings. A handsome volume. $500. Only editions. Unhappy with his treatment by Walker during a lawsuit Roberts circulated a flyer reading: "Mr. Thomas Walker commenced his virulence against me like a BULLY has conducted it like a FOOL has acted in it like a SCOUNDREL has ended it like a COWARD at last has turned BLACKGUARD and unworthy of association with or notice of any Gentleman who regards his own character." Walker won his case; Roberts paid damages of 100. The Whole Proceedings is scarce OCLC locates 9 copies in North American law libraries; Supplementary Facts is rare OCLC locates 4 copies worldwide 2 in North America Princeton University Temple University. English Short-Title Catalogue T99785 N37623. unknown
1798Best.-Nr. ABE-1713891567743James Ridgway 1798. London: James Rigway 1798. 8vo 133 p. disbound. Contemporaneous account of the trial of Arthur O'Connor and his co-conspirators. The men were arrested in Margate after Binns' failed attempt to secure passage to France for O'Connor and Coigley. They were charged with high treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London though only Coigley who had been arrested with incriminating correspondence in his pocket would be executed. O'Connor was released in 1802 on the condition of his 'banishment'. He traveled to Paris where he served under Napoleon as the official representative of the United Irishmen. Disbound with wear and discoloration along spine joints; library stamp to upper title page; p 63/4 mended with tape but a sound complete copy. OCLC locates six copies of this edition. 1st Edition. Soft cover. Very Good. James Ridgway Paperback
1951Best.-Nr. 1903891951. The failed appeal against the "trial of the century" One of very few copies of Emanuel Bloch's appeal seeking to overturn the prosecution of the Rosenbergs at their infamous trial signed by Bloch for submission to the Court of Appeals on the final page. Bloch 1901-1954 an attorney who focused on civil rights was known for defending clients associated with left-wing and communist causes. The Rosenbergs communists accused of sending atomic secrets to the Soviets chose Bloch to lead their defence. The court found the Rosenbergs guilty of espionage in March 1951 and sentenced them to death in April following a trial widely criticized as prejudiced and motivated by Cold War hysteria. J. Edgar Hoover dubbed the case which attracted worldwide attention "the trial of the century". The Rosenbergs were granted time to prepare the appeal which Bloch submitted to the Circuit Court on 5 November 1951. Comprising 143 pages of argument extensively referenced against other legal cases and with an index Bloch sets forth his legal case. It rests on three grounds: the government had not established definite guilt the Rosenbergs had not been granted a fair trial and the "cruel and unusual punishment" violated the eighth amendment. Besides the constitutional grounding Bloch emphasizes the "frantic atmosphere" in which the Rosenbergs were arrested placing the trial within the context of the panic caused by the Soviet Union's acquisition of the atomic bomb. The appeal was denied by the three judges on the court on 25 February 1952. They reported they had carefully examined the trial record against Bloch's appeal and had found the death sentence was constitutional and would stand. Following the defeat Bloch filed a further appeal with the Supreme Court which declined to review the case. A stay on execution was granted to appeal to President Eisenhower who denied the petition. Various other legal challenges the last of which reached the Supreme Court also failed. Despite an international campaign for clemency backed by the Pope and Albert Einstein the Rosenbergs were executed on 19 June 1953. Despite the failure of Bloch's appeal his brief greatly impressed the Rosenbergs. Julius wrote to Ethel on 4 November 1951 "I read the brief and I wrote Manny Bloch telling him what a stupendous job he did and how everlastingly grateful we are for his tireless efforts for us. Darling the brief is a legal masterpiece and in addition is a literary gem. Although I don't have the background to really pass on the legal fine points I can attest to its excellent organization its meticulousness in presenting in a fair light our case the devastating logic of his points and the tremendous assiduous effort Manny exerted in preparing this document. Believe me it's a priceless piece of work from a great man. How proud we are to be considered his friends. I intend to reread it a number of times so I'll be able to better understand some of the legal points raised" The Rosenberg Letters 2013 pp. 253-4. Bloch is often seen as a lawyer unsuited to the case more suited to civil rights work than a major criminal trial. His failure to interrogate properly the government's key witness Harry Gold has been much criticized. This appeal shifted more to Bloch's speciality of constitutional and civil rights probably constitutes a stronger legal case than that which he presented in the original trial. Nonetheless the Rosenbergs were very confident in him and he became a close friend. Bloch delivered the eulogy at their funeral and took guardianship of their sons though he died soon afterwards of a heart attack. This copy of the brief is evidently one of a small number produced for official use alongside the copies which each Rosenberg received. This copy was deposited in the Civil Rights Division of the American Jewish Committee - it is marked as their file copy and subsequently "withdrawn". It is unknown how they acquired the brief - the American Jewish Committee pointedly distanced themselves from the case likely to avoid the association of Jews with communism and treachery which the case did much to encourage among the public. An inscription on the first page reads "Return to Ted Leskes" - Theodore Leskes 1908-1964 was director of the legal division of the American Jewish Committee focusing on civil rights and discrimination. We trace only one other example of the brief at the University of Kansas and no other copy in commerce. Quarto 285 x 217 mm. Containing 154 mimeographed leaves printed recto only paginated comprising i-xi index 143 pages of contents firmly staple-bound in "Accopress binder" an early likely original binding printed title page mounted to front of binder. Housed in a black cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Stamps of American Jewish Committee to front cover and p. i verso. Chipping around title on front cover reinforced with tape at extremities slight wear to binder extremities contents a little toned else clean. A good copy. hardcover
1853Best.-Nr. 838311853. Albany: David M. Barnes and W.S. Hevenor 1853. Albany: David M. Barnes and W.S. Hevenor 1853. McDade 468 Trial. Hendrickson John 1832-1854 Defendant. Barnes David M. Reporter Compiler. Hevenor W.S. d.1909 Reporter Compiler. Trial of John Hendrickson Jr. For the Murder of His Wife Maria By Poisoning at Bethlehem Albany County N.Y. March 6th 1853: Tried in the Court of Oyer and Terminer at Albany N.Y. In June and July 1853. Albany: David M. Barnes and W.S. Hevenor Publishers 1853. 176 pp. Woodcut frontispiece depicting John Hendrickson and Maria Hendrickson. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-3/4"; 23.5 x 14.6 cm. Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet wrappers lacking. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior corner folds to several leaves at beginning of text early manuscript table of contents to verso of frontispiece. A good copy overall. $125. Only edition. John Hendrickson was a wastrel who married into the wealthy Van Dusen family of Albany NY. Unfaithful to his wife and eager to acquire her fortune he poisoned her with aconite. This is believed to be the first American murder committed with this substance. New ground was broken by the forensic testimony presented in this case by several experts most notably Benjamin Silliman the eminent chemist and Yale professor. OCLC locates 3 copies 1 in a law library Harvard. McDade The Annals of Murder 468. unknown
1857Best.-Nr. 839041857. 4 titles in 1 book. 4 titles in 1 book. Account of a Famous Glasgow Murder Trial Bound with Three Other Diverting Books Trial. Smith Madeleine 1835-1928 Defendant. Glasgow Poisoning Case. Unabridged Report of the Evidence in this Extraordinary Trial With All the Passionate Love Letters Written by the Prisoner to the Deceased And Numerous Illustrations Including Portrait of Madeleine Smith. London: George Vickers Angel Court Strand 1857. 77 pp. 7 woodcut plates 3 folding. Only edition. Bound After Ward Artemus Pseud. of Charles Farrar Browne 1834-1867. Artemus Ward His Book: Being the Confessions & Experiences of a Showman. London: S.O. Beeton 248 Strand W.C. 1865. viii 168 pp. Half-title lacking. Later edition; first published in 1862. And Barnum P.T. 1810-1891. The Life of P.T. Barnum Written by Himself. Author's Edition. London: Sampson Low Son & Co. 47 Ludgate Hill 1855. viii 372 pp. Woodcut frontispiece. Woodcut text illustrations. First London edition published the same year as the first edition New York 1855. And Hawthorne Nathaniel. Pansie: A Fragment. The Last Literary Effort of Nathaniel Hawthorne. London: John Camden Hotten Piccadilly 1864. 48 pp. Only edition. Octavo 6-1/4" x 4"; 15.9 x 10.2 cm. Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards. Some bubbling and rubbing to boards heavier rubbing to extremities with wear to fore-edges of boards front joints just starting at ends corners bumped and moderately worn hinges cracked some bubbling to pastedowns bookplate residue to front pastedown. Moderate toning to interior wear and clean tears to folding frontispiece of Glasgow Poisoning Case one tear mended with cellotape. A very good volume overall. $450. These unrelated small-format titles may have been assembled to provide diversion to a traveler. It includes a book of humorous sketches by Ward Barnum's entertaining and inspiring autobiography the first part of Hawthorne's novel The Dolliver Romance and an account of a famous murder trial. In 1855 Smith a Glasgow socialite began a passionate affair with Pierre Emile L'Angelier. When her parents found a more suitable match she attempted to break the relationship but he threatened to use their love letters to expose her if she did not marry him. He died from arsenic poisoning. unknown
