3.233 Ergebnisse
1803Best.-Nr. 842451803. The Only Edition with an Appendix Which Offers a "Particular Account of the Execution" Trial. Despard Edward Marcus 1751-1803 Primary Defendant. The Whole Proceedings on the Trials of Col. Despard And the Other State Prisoners Before a Special Commission At the New Sessions House Horsemonger Lane Southwark Feb. 7 and 9 1803; Including the Indictment The Evidence on Both Sides And the Speeches of Counsel. To Which are Prefixed Original and Authentic Memoirs of Col. Despard And Lord Ellenborough's Eloquent Charge to the Grand Jury. With an Appendix Containing the Behaviour of the Convicts And a Particular Account of the Execution. London: Printed by W. Flint Old Bailey; For R. Bent et al. 1803. iv 70 3-12 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5"; 21.2 x 13 cm. Disbound pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior occasional unobtrusive light foxing ink notation of price paid to foot of title page longer annotation in an early hand to its verso. $150. Fourth stated edition the only one with an appendix. After a brilliant military career in the West Indies Colonel Despard was made superintendent of the Bay of Honduras present-day Belize which was the site of significant British logging concessions. To the dismay of the local aristocrats Despard distributed land by lottery and without regard to distinctions of race religion or social class. Their complaints led to his dismissal and several lawsuits which put him in debtors' prison for two years. Financially ruined and bitter he came to resent the establishment. He joined the radical London Corresponding Society and revolutionary United Irishman and took part in a plot to organize uprisings in London and Ireland. After the plot was foiled Despard and six others were convicted of treason. A highlight during the trial was Lord Admiral Nelson's testimony as a character witness on Despard's behalf. Despard and his co-conspirators share the dubious distinction of being the last men in Great Britain sentenced to be hanged drawn and quartered the form of execution given to convicted traitors since 1283. However the king commuted their sentences to death by hanging followed by decapitation. This is a scarce edition. OCLC locates 1 copy in a North American law library University of Minnesota. Chase "Despard Edward Marcus" Oxford Dic. unknown
Best.-Nr. 84690Chicago: I.W.W. Printing Co-Op 1969. Illustrated broadside 44cm x 28cm 17" x 11". Offset lithograph printed in black on white stock. Old horizontal fold; mild toning in margins else Near Fine. A well-preserved example. Signed in plate "Spain" lower right. Chicago I.W.W. printer's bug. Satirical broadside issued to announce the opening of the trial of the Chicago 8 later 7 who had been jailed for conspiracy and inciting a riot for their role in the Chicago street protests during the Democratic National Convention of 1968. This graphic by the prominent underground cartoonist Spain Rodriguez is evidently quite rare not previously seen by us; we can trace no examples in commerce and OCLC notes only a single physical location UVA as of March 2025. unknown
1822Best.-Nr. 826501822. Boston: Russell & Gardner 1822. First edition. Boston: Russell & Gardner 1822. First edition. Copy of a Report of an Early U.S. Navy Court Martial with an Interesting Provenance Trial. Abbot Joel 1793-1855 Defendant. Trial of Lieutenant Joel Abbot by the General Naval Court Martial Holden on Board the U.S. Ship Independence At the Navy Yard Charlestown Massachusetts on Allegations Made Against Him by Capt. David Porter Navy Commissioner. To Which is Added an Appendix Containing Sundry Documents in Relation to the Management of Affairs on the Boston Station. Boston: Printed by Russell & Gardner 1822. 164 72 1 pp. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet with untrimmed edges bound into recent three-quarter morocco over marbled boards raised bands gilt title and blind publication date to spine. Negligible light rubbing to extremities moderate toning to interior light foxing to a few sections marks in early pen to margins of a few leaves early inscription to front endleaf: "Presented to the Honble/ Churchill C. Cambreleng/ Member of the U.S. Congress/ Geo. Washington" "Geo." added in a later mischievous hand. $500. First edition one of two issues the other published in Washington DC by Davis and Force the same year. Abbott was a distinguished naval officer who fought on the frigate President during the War of 1812. He was tried on charges brought by Porter for making "scandalous and false insinuations" of corruption against his superior officer Captain Isaac Hull perhaps the greatest American naval hero of the War of 1812. Found guilty Abbot was suspended from the naval service for the period of two years. Churchill Caldom Cambreleng 1786-1862 was a New York City merchant and politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1821 to 1839 where he was a prominent member who chaired several high-profile committees. He later served as U.S. Minister to Russia from 1840 to 1841. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13396. unknown
1875Best.-Nr. 826551875. The Only Published Account of an 1873 Murder Near Syracuse New York: McDade 628 Trial. Linsday Owen Defendant. Tinsley Charles G. Reporter. Morgan Frederick J. Reporter. The Baldwinsville Homicide. Verbatim Report of the Trial of Owen Linsday For the Murder of Francis A. Colvin Containing the Testimony in Full; Opening and Closing Speeches of Counsel; Charge to the Jury &c. Printed from the Minutes of the Official Reporters. Also Accurate Likenesses of Linsday Colvin and Vader Engraved from Photographs Recently Taken. Syracuse NY: Published by Tinsley & Morgan Official Stenographers to the Supreme Court Truair Smith & Co. Printers 1875. 268 pp. Text in double columns. 6 plates. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers publisher advertisement to verso of rear wrapper fragment of early owner label to spine. Moderate soiling edgewear and a few small chips to wrappers spine ends abraded rear wrapper beginning to detach at ends. "C.F. Libby" in early hand to head of front wrapper price at its foot struck through. Moderate toning to interior corner folds and light edgewear to first few leaves of text block "Copy of Mayor Charles F. Libby of Portland Me." in small early penciled hand to head of title page. $450. Only edition of the only published account. In 1873 with the assistance of Vader Linsday contrived a plan to murder Colvin and steal his money a nest egg of about $3000 that he always kept with him. Linsday fatally struck Colvin in the back of his head with an axe then he and Vader sunk Colvin's body in the Seneca River and told people afterwards that Colvin left town to live in Syracuse. The crime was detected when the body was discovered two years later. Vader confessed in exchange for testimony and the charges against him were dropped. Linsday was convicted and hanged. Libby 1844-1915 a Maine lawyer and politician was Portland's mayor in 1882 and president of the American Bar Association from 1909 to 1910. He served in the Maine Senate from 1889 to 1892 and was the Senate's president from 1891 to 1892. Tinsley and Morgan's is the only published account of this case excepting reports in periodicals. OCLC locates 10 copies in law libraries Brooklyn Law School Harvard NY State Appellate Court NY State Supreme Court Northwestern Trial Cour. unknown
1760Best.-Nr. 826621760. Copy of an Account of the Last Peer Hanged as a Common Criminal with an Interesting Provenance Trial. Ferrers Lawrence Laurence Shirley Earl 1720-1760 Defendant. The Trial of Lawrence Earl Ferrers For the Murder of John Johnson Before the Right Honourable the House of Peers In Westminster-Hall In Full Parliament On Wednesday the 16th Thursday the 17th And Friday the 18th of April 1760: On the Last of Which Days Judgment for Murder was Given Against Him. Published by Order of the House of Peers. London: Printed for Samuel Billingsley 1760. iv 55 pp. With initial imprimatur leaf. Folio 11-1/2" x 7-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound in nineteenth-century quarter speckled calf over marbled boards gilt fillets to calf edges gilt title to spine gilt morocco armorial bookplate of Edward Hailstone to front pastedown. Moderate rubbing to extremities boards partially detached but secure. Moderate toning to interior text block trimmed closely with loss to page numbers and catch-words in places no loss to main text early annotation "Right Honoble/ Welbore Ellis/ Council Office" to recto of imprimatur leaf. $300. Only edition one of two issues from the same year the other published in Dublin by Faulkner. Lord Ferrers was apparently a pleasant man if arrogant when sober but prone to violent rages and brutality while drunk. After six years of abuse his wife left him and returned to her family. She applied to Parliament for and received an order for maintenance. This came from a separate trust administered by Ferrers's steward John Johnson. The Earl eventually convinced himself that Johnson was plotting against him stealing his money and having an affair with his estranged wife. During a meeting he ordered Johnson to kneel and to beg pardon. Ferrers shot Johnson when he complied with this order. As established at trial Ferrers had been sober when he shot Johnson but quickly took to the bottle and assaulted the wounded man again. Johnson eventually died. Ferrers employed an insanity defense but was unsuccessful. He was sentenced to be hanged and anatomized the last peer to be executed in this manner. Welbore Ellis 1713-1802 was an English politician and civil servant who served as Secretary of State for the Colonies during the American Revolution. At the time of the trial he was M. unknown
1876Best.-Nr. 827311876. A Rare McDade Title Trial. Piper Thomas W. Defendant. Brown Edward P. Commonwealth of Massachusetts By Indictment Vs. Thomas W. Piper For the Murder of Mabel H. Young. Closing Argument for the Defence By Edward P. Brown Esq. Delivered February 9 1876. Boston: Alfred Mudge & Son Printers 1876. 112 pp. Octavo 9-1/4" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Faint vertical crease through center light soiling and edgewear to wrappers spine worn away at ends front wrapper partially detached. Light toning to interior small embossed library stamp to head of leaf 7 pp. 49-50 another to head of title page small deaccession inkstamp to its verso. $350. Only edition. Piper was the sexton of the Warren Avenue Baptist Church in Boston. He lured a five-year-old girl into the church tower then beat her to death with a cricket bat. Circumstantial evidence linked him to the earlier murder of another girl and attacks on several others. Found guilty he was hanged on the scaffold that was used for another notable Boston murderer: Professor John W. Webster. This is a rare title. OCLC locates 7 copies 3 in law libraries Harvard Social Law University of Missouri. McDade The Annals of Murder 752. unknown
1827Best.-Nr. 829331827. Albany: Printed by John B. van Steenbergh 1827. Albany: Printed by John B. van Steenbergh 1827. "The Guiding Genius of the Crime was His Wife": McDade 940 Trial. Strang Jesse Defendant. Trial of Jesse Strang For the Murder of John Whipple At a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer Holden in Albany in July 1827. Albany: Printed by D. M'Glashan No. 3 Beaver-St. 1827. 35 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2"; 22 x 14 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into later quarter sheep over marbled boards gilt title to spine. Light rubbing to boards moderate rubbing to extremities with wear to spine ends and corners library bookplate with de-accession stamp to front pastedown. Moderate toning and light foxing to interior. A very good copy. $350. Jesse Strang living under the alias Joseph Orton was involved in an affair with Elsie Whipple. Strang shot Elsie's husband John Whipple after several unsuccessful attempts by the lovers to poison him. Strang was convicted and executed. Elsie was tried individually and acquitted. McDade notes: "The murder of John Whipple was unusual in two respects: one the actual killing followed months of the most careful planning and preparation; two the guiding genius of the crime was his wife." McDade The Annals of Murder 934. unknown
1807Best.-Nr. 829601807. London 1807. London 1807. A Presentation Copy from the Author with an Additional Folding Map Not in Other Copies Trial. Harmer James 1777-1853. Holloway John d. 1807 Defendant. Haggerty Owen d. 1807 Defendant. Murder of Mr. Steele. Documents and Observations Tending to Shew a Probability of the Innocence of John Holloway and Owen Haggerty Who Were Executed on Monday the 23d of February 1807 As the Murderers of the Above Gentleman. London: Printed for the Author; and sold by M. Jones 1807. iv 89 1 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5"; 21.5 x 13 cm. Bound after Kinnard W. Jr. Plan of a Part of Hounslow Heath. By W. Kinnard Junior. In Relation to the Murder of Mr. Steele. S.l.: S.n. 1807. 2 ff. Octavo 5" x 3-1/2"; 13 x 9 cm. With a folding map of Hounslow Heath. Later buckram gilt title to spine endleaves added. Moderate toning to interior light foxing and soiling in a few places small blind-embossed library stamp "Grendon Hall" to first few leaves creasing to map its upper right corner lacking without loss to image manuscript docket to its verso inscription "George Chetwynd/ from the Author" to head of title page slightly affected by trimming. $450. THIS DESCRIPTION IS TRUNCATED DUE TO CHARACTER LIMITS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A COMPLETE VERSION. Only edition. James Harmer was one of the most prominent criminal defense lawyers of early 19th-century London later serving as an alderman and Sheriff of London. His immense knowledge of Old Bailey proceedings and his formidable court presence directly inspired Charles Dickens when creating the shrewd attorney Mr. Jaggers in Great Expectations. Driven by his extensive trial experience Harmer became a relentless crusader against wrongful convictions and an outspoken advocate for the reform of English criminal procedure. This work represents Harmer's meticulous investigation into the 1802 murder of lavender merchant John Steele on Hounslow Heath. John Holloway and Owen Haggerty were convicted entirely on circumstantial evidence and the dubious testimony of a paid informer. Despite public doubts-including Harmer's forceful evidence presented in this volume-both men were hanged at Newgate on February 23 1807. The trial captivated London to a sensational degree: an estimated 40000 spectators gathered for the execution. The dense crowd panic. unknown
1869Best.-Nr. 830041869. Manchester NH: Daily Mirror Office 1869. 46 pp. Manchester NH: Daily Mirror Office 1869. 46 pp. A Rare Somnambulism Sleepwalking and Insanity Defense: McDade 770 Trial. Prescott Abraham 1815-1836 Defendant. Report of the Trial of Abraham Prescott For the Murder of Mrs. Sally Cochran Of Pembroke June 23 1833. Executed at Hopkinton January 6 1836. Manchester NH: Daily Mirror Office 1869. 46 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4"; 21 x 13.3 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers. Moderate toning very light foxing light soiling to exterior light edgewear and a few small tears to front wrapper which is separated but secured by thread. $450. First and only edition. Abraham Prescott 18 years old at the time had lived and worked with the Cochran family for several years. In January 1833 he had attacked both Chauncey and Sally Cochran in their sleep with an axe an incident the couple dismissed as an "unhappy occurrence of somnambulism" and did not press charges. Months later in June 1833 Prescott bludgeoned Sally Cochran to death with a wooden stake while they were picking strawberries. Prescott's defense attorneys argued that he committed the murder while sleepwalking and was not mentally responsible for his actions. Extensive testimony from medical experts and family members was presented to support claims of his troubled past history of sleep disturbances and hereditary insanity. Despite a vigorous defense the jury was unconvinced by the sleepwalking plea a novel legal strategy at the time. Prescott was found guilty in two separate trials and sentenced to death. The case garnered significant public attention and the controversy surrounding his mental state and eventual public execution led to the founding of New Hampshire's first mental institution. According to McDade "the defense was one of the best for that time on the subject of insanity" but the jury was unconvinced and Prescott was hanged. McDade notes that there is "much interesting information in this case on the superstitions and treatment of the weak-minded." An historical account offering insight into 19th-century law societal attitudes toward mental illness and the justice system of that era. McDade The Annals of Murder 770. unknown
1863Best.-Nr. 830711863. Trial. Bailey John Crawshay Primary Defendant. Somerset Henry Charles FitzRoy 8th Duke of Beaufort 1824-1899 Plaintiff. In the Common Pleas. His Grace the Duke of Beaufort Against John Crawshay Bailey and Others. For Trespass on Cwmdu Hill In the Parish of St. Michael Cwmdu Breconshire. Report of the Trial Before Mr. Justice Mellor and a Special Jury At Brecon On the 21st 23d And 24th of March 1863. Watkins Hooper Baylis And Baker 11 Sackville Street London Solicitors for His Grace. London: Printed by Strangeways & Walden 1863. iv 284 2 pp. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6-1/4"; 24.5 x 15.5 cm. Later green pebbled cloth printed paper label to spine endpapers renewed. Light rubbing and minor shelfwear moderate toning to interior negligible light foxing and soiling to a few leaves presentation inscription "C. Lloyd Esq./ With Mr. Baker's Compliments/ 30 March 1868" to front endleaf. $300. Somerset the 8th Duke of Beaufort was a British peer military officer and Conservative politician. This case centered on trespassing by members of the public on some of his vast property holdings totalling some 51000 acres in all in Wales. The defendants nearby farmers alleged that the portions of the land in question were part of their estates but the court found for the Duke. This copy was presented by Charles Baker one of the Duke's attorneys in the case. This is a scarce title. OCLC locates 3 copies in North American law libraries Columbia Harvard Jenkins Law Library. unknown
1863Best.-Nr. 831271863. Don't Trespass on My Land! Trial. Bailey John Crawshay Primary Defendant. Somerset Henry Charles FitzRoy 8th Duke of Beaufort 1824-1899 Plaintiff. In the Common Pleas. His Grace the Duke of Beaufort Against John Crawshay Bailey and Others. For Trespass on Cwmdu Hill In the Parish of St. Michael Cwmdu Breconshire. Report of the Trial Before Mr. Justice Mellor and a Special Jury At Brecon On the 21st 23d And 24th of March 1863. Watkins Hooper Baylis And Baker 11 Sackville Street London Solicitors for His Grace. London: Printed by Strangeways & Walden 1863. iv 284 2 pp. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6-1/4"; 24.5 x 15.5 cm. Textured cloth with later cloth rebacking printed paper label to spine endpapers renewed. Light rubbing and minor shelfwear faint dampstaining to boards minor bubbling of cloth in places moderate toning to interior mostly negligible light foxing and soiling to a few leaves inscription "To be kept with His Grace's Breconshire Muniments/ C. Baker/ 29 Apl. 1863" to head of title page. $300. Somerset the 8th Duke of Beaufort was a British peer military officer and Conservative politician. This case centered on trespassing by members of the public on some of his vast property holdings about 51000 acres in Wales. The defendants nearby farmers alleged that the portions of the land in question were part of their estates but the court found for the Duke. This copy was apparently retained and filed by Charles Baker one of the Duke's attorneys in the case who was also an antiquarian and the duke's "steward of seignories of Gower and Kilvey." This is a scarce title. OCLC locates 3 copies in North American law libraries Columbia Harvard Jenkins Law Library. Powys-Land Club Collections Historical and Archaeological Relating to Montgomeryshire 5:407. unknown
1956Best.-Nr. 184698Pretoria: The Government Printer 1956. A major moment in South African history First edition of the indictment for the "Treason Trial" in which Nelson Mandela and almost the entire anti-apartheid leadership were prosecuted. One defendant Ahmed Kathrada has signed beside his name; the signature was acquired by a collector in recent years. "The core of the treason charge related to a momentous - and for the government disconcerting - event at Kliptown on the outskirts of Johannesburg on 25-26 June 1955. The delegates were drawn from the ranks of the Congress Alliance a coalition of race-based anti-apartheid groups - the ANC still Africans only the Indian Congresses the Coloured People's Congress and the white mix of communists and non-communists. They had come together to draw up the country's first democratic constitution. Out of the deliberations came the endorsement of a Freedom Charter which to western eyes was an unexceptionable statement of democratic principles and equal rights owing something to the UN Charter but virtually nothing to the Communist Manifesto" Herbstein pp. 28-9. In response 156 individuals who attended or were associated with the meeting were arrested under the 1950 Suppression of Communism Act. The trial helped unite the anti-apartheid movement and attracted worldwide support for the struggle and international condemnation of the South African government. The trial lasted over four years after which all the accused were acquitted. However soon after Mandela and other defendants were imprisoned following the Rivonia Trial. 3 vols bound in 1 as issued folio. Ex library of the South African embassy in Bonn with their stamp to the front free endpaper and their shelf label and number to spine; binding rubbed and slightly worn and shaken contents toned. A good copy. Denis Herbstein White Lies: Canon Collins and the Secret War Against Apartheid 2004. unknown
1841Best.-Nr. 816021841. From the Library of a Notable Worcester Doctor and Bibliophile Trial. Darnes William P. Defendant. Nelson Thomas S. Reporter. A Full and Accurate Report of the Trial of William P. Darnes On an Indictment Found by the Grand Jury of St. Louis County At the September Term 1840 Of the Criminal Court of Said County On a Charge of Manslaughter in the Third Degree For the Death of Andrew J. Davis Late of Northboro' Mass. In the City of St. Louis On the First of June 1840. Boston: Printed by Tuttle Dennett & Chisholm 1841. 269 pp. 12mo. 7-3/4" x 5". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into later quarter cloth front and rear wrappers of pamphlet affixed to front and rear boards library shelf label to foot of spine. Light rubbing soiling and a few minor stains to boards moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends corners and foot of front board hinges cracked front free endpaper detached. Light toning to interior light spotting in places tiny stain and embossed owner stamp of John Green M.D. to title page library discard inkstamp to verso of title page other embossed Green stamps to front wrapper and rear endleaf. $450. Second and final edition one of two issues both in 1841. Davis was the well-known owner of a St. Louis newspaper that published several highly critical columns about Darnes an important local politician. Enraged Darnes attacked Davis on the street with an iron rod striking him in the head. Davis was rushed to a hospital but died a few days later. Darnes was indicted. The trial lasted two weeks and engaged some of the best lawyers and medical experts in the area. The case turned on whether Davis died from the blow or his medical treatment. Both sides offered a strong case. In the end Darnes was convicted of fourth-degree manslaughter and fined $500. Our copy belonged to John Green III MD 1784-1864. A member of a distinguished Worcester MA family Dr. Green was an avid bibliophile and the founder of the Worcester Public Library to which he donated his personal library of nearly 12000 titles. This case not in McDade. Stevens St. Louis The Fourth City 1764-1911 I:369-370. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1057. unknown
1818Best.-Nr. 820231818. The End of Trial by Battle in the United Kingdom Broadside. Trial. Thornton Abraham c.1793-1860 Respondent. Appeal of Murder: The Decision of the Judges in the Case of Ashford ver. Thornton Court of King's Bench April 20th 1818. Nottingham: Shorrock and Son Successors to E. Hodson Printers 1818. 12-1/2" x 7-1/2" broadside mounted to later backing sheet text in two columns separated by rule below headline and woodcut vignette of a landscape. Moderate toning light soiling to edges a few faint creases printer's flaw and clean tear to right column no loss to legibility. Rare. $3000. Ashford v. Thornton dealt with the aftermath of the murder of Mary Ashford in 1817. Abraham Thornton who had seen and been intimate with Ashford the previous night was tried for rape and murder but acquitted of both charges due to a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the prosecutor's case. 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. After extensive proceedings in the Court of King's Bench the court found that he was eligible to do so. Our broadside documents the final hearing in which Ashford declined to battle with Thornton and withdrew his appeal. Thornton was given a pro forma arraignment and released. The case resulted in the abolition of appeals by murder and thus the end of trial by battle. This broadside is rare and appears to be unrecorded. No copies located on OCLC or Library Hub. Not at Harvard or the British Library. unknown
2016Best.-Nr. x-1107060389Cambridge Univ Pr 2016. Hardcover. New. 286 pages. 9.25x6.25x1.00 inches. Cambridge Univ Pr hardcover
1850Best.-Nr. 801331850. America's Classic Murder" Trial. Bemis George. Webster John White 1793-1850 Defendant. Report of the Case of John W. Webster Master of Arts and Doctor of Medicine of Harvard University . Indicted for the Murder of George Parkman Master of Arts of Harvard University Doctor of Medicine of the University of Aberdeen And Member of the Massachusetts Medical Society Before The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts; Including the Hearing on the Petition for a Writ of Error The Prisoner's Confessional Statements and Application for a Commutation of Sentence And an Appendix Containing Several Interesting Matters Never Before Published. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown 1850. xii 628 pp. With a tissue-guarded frontispiece. Illustrated. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-1/4". Later library cloth red and black lettering pieces to spine endpapers renewed cloth hinges. Light soiling and shelfwear to exterior lettering pieces abraded hinges starting small ink stamp William C. Schroeder to front free endpaper which has a small clean tear to its upper gutter. Toning to interior light soiling and tiny faint stains in a few places owner signature of J.H. Anthon dated 1858 to front endleaf and title page along with owner signature of J.B. Coppinger pencil underling and brief annotations to several leaves annotations between pp. 469-498. $85. First edition. As McDade notes "The murder in the Harvard Medical School of Dr. George Parkman a prominent Bostonian and Harvard Alumnus by Professor John W. Webster was in the words of Edmund Pearson 'America's classic murder.'" The present account is "the basic book on the case and contains all the evidence." A two-volume edition appeared the same year and the work was reprinted in 1879. The J.H. Anthon who owned this copy was likely John Hone Anthon 1832-1874 a New York attorney and the son of John Anthon an important American jurist and a founder of the New York Law Institute. J.B. Coppinger may have been John B. Coppinger a first lieutenant and adjutant in the 83d New York Infantry during the Civil War. The pencil annotations which provide brief but often lively commentary do not appear to be in either's hand. McDade The Annals of Murder 1060. unknown
1776Best.-Nr. 802001776. London: Charles Bathurst 1776. London: Charles Bathurst 1776. In Original Wrappers Trial. Kingston Elizabeth Chudleigh Hervey Duchess of 1720-1788 Defendant. The Trial of Elizabeth Duchess Dowager of Kingston for Bigamy Before the Right Honourable the House of Peers In Westminster-Hall In Full-Parliament On Monday the 15th Tuesday the 16th Friday the 19th Saturday the 20th and Monday the 22d of April 1776; On the Last of Which Days the Said Elizabeth Duchess Dowager of Kingston was Found Guilty. Published by Order of the House of Peers. London: Printed for Charles Bathurst 1776. iv 176 pp. Title page preceded by imprimatur leaf. Folio 15" x 10"; 38 x 25.4 cm. Original wrappers untrimmed edges. Light soiling to exterior light wear to spine ends moderate soiling to edges light toning to interior. A very good copy uncommon in wrappers. $450. Only edition. When she determined to marry the Duke of Kingston Elizabeth feared the scandal of divorce from her first husband Augustus Hervey later Earl of Bristol who wanted a divorce so she instituted a suit of jactitation against him. His negative response ignored she took an oath that she was unmarried and the court so declared her. She married the Duke of Kingston in 1769 and he died in 1770 and left her a substantial estate on the condition that she remain a widow. The duke's nephew Mr. Evelyn Meadow brought suit against her for bigamy shortly after the duke's death while she was traveling in Italy. She returned to England to stand trial. Found guilty she would have been "burned on the hand" but she claimed the privilege of her peerage which served to exempt her from corporal punishment. She continued a life of travel and adventure until her sudden death in Paris in 1788. Famous because of this trial Kingston was often depicted directly or indirectly in popular and serious literature. She is believed to have been the inspiration William Makepeace Thackeray's character of Beatrix Esmond Baroness Bernstein in The History of Henry Esmond and The Virginians. Dictionary of National Biography IX:730. English Short-Title Catalogue T92941. unknown
1795Best.-Nr. 801421795. Edinburgh: Printed by C. Denovan 1795. Edinburgh: Printed by C. Denovan 1795. A Landmark Case with the First Use of an Insanity Defense in Scotland Trial. Kinloch Sir Archibald Gordon c.1749-1800 Defendant. The Trial of Sir Archibald Gordon Kinloch Of Gilmerton Bart. For the Murder of Sir Francis Kinloch Bart. His Brother-German. Before the High Court of Justiciary on Monday June 29 1795. Taken in Short Hand--And Carefully Revised by the Counsel. Edinburgh: Printed by C. Denovan 1795. vi 161 pp. With a half-title. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5"; 21 x 12.7 cm. Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling to exterior corner folds to lower outside corners of first few leaves. Moderate toning light foxing to a few leaves. $150. Only edition. Sir Francis was murdered in his home by his brother Sir Archibald. Although Archibald was convicted he was released into the care of his family rather than sentenced to death because he was judged to be insane. This was the first time an insanity defense was presented in a Scottish court and one of the very first trials in Great Britain to consider the criminal liability of the insane. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1121. unknown
1832Best.-Nr. 802881832. Philadelphia: G.W. Mentz & Son 1832. Philadelphia: G.W. Mentz & Son 1832. "The True Character of the Spanish Adventurer": McDade 169 Trial. Chapman Lucretia 1788-1841 Defendant. Du Bois William E. 1810-1881 Compiler. Trial of Lucretia Chapman Otherwise Called Lucretia Espos y Mina Who was Jointly Indicted with Lino Amalia Espos y Mina For the Murder of William Chapman Esq. In the Court of Oyer and Terminer Held at Doylestown for Bucks December Term 1831 Continued to February Term 1832. Philadelphia: G.W. Mentz & Son 1832. 213; 11 pp. Final section 11 pp. has the drop-head title Supplement to the Trial of Mrs. Chapman Published by George W. Mentz & Son Philadelphia. Octavo 9" x 6". Contemporary sheep blind rules to boards blind fillets to spine lettering piece lacking. Light rubbing and a few scuffs to boards front board detached rear board partially detached but secure moderate rubbing to extremities spine abraded spine ends and corners worn early owner bookplate Owen Stover to front pastedown. Moderate toning and light foxing to interior offsetting to margins of endleaves annotations in early hand to rear free endpaper. $350. First and only edition with the Supplement that as noted by Cohen was not included in all copies. Lucretia Chapman began an affair with Lino Amalia Espos y Mina a Spanish boarder who claimed to be the son of the governor of California. They poisoned Chapman's husband with arsenic moved to New York and married. McDade notes: "Almost immediately the true character of the Spanish adventurer came out with the disappearance of the family silver and other obvious signs of his chicanery. Other swindles drew the attention of the Philadelphia constable to him and once suspicion was directed to the curious couple the evidence mounted rapidly. . In separate trials she was acquitted while he was convicted and executed. It is difficult to tell whether they had acted in concert in the murder; at least the jury gave her the benefit of the doubt." The former owner of our copy was likely Owen Stover 1801-1878 an attorney from Chester County Pennsylvania. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 12416. McDade The Annals of Murder 169. unknown
1822Best.-Nr. 802081822. Imprisoned for Criticizing the Court of Session Trial. Hay John. A Narrative of Procedure Before the Court of Session And Circumstances Connected Therewith In the Trial of John Hay Who was Prosecuted at the Instance of the Lord Advocate of Scotland And Without the Verdict of a Jury Sentenced to Four Months Imprisonment By the Judges of the Court of Session. Edinburgh: Printed by D. Webster and Son for John Hay 1822. viii 123 115 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5". Later three-quarter sheep over marbled boards lettering piece and gilt date to spine edges untrimmed marbled renewed endpapers. Moderate rubbing and light wear to extremities corners bumped and worn small bookseller ticket and later bookplate Geoffrey G. Briggs to front pastedown. Moderate toning to interior occasional light foxing and soiling. $150. Only edition. Hay an Edinburgh merchant publicly alleged that the Court of Session had erred in settling his father-in-law's estate. The criticisms led to contempt of court charges. Hay was denied a jury trial and his case was decided by the judges of the Court of Session who ruled against him. He then published this account of his prosecution and trial. 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. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1096. unknown
1752Best.-Nr. 803961752. The "Love Philter" was Arsenic Trial. Blandy Mary 1720-1752 Defendant. The Tryal of Mary Blandy Spinster; For the Murder of Her Father Francis Blandy Gent. At the Assizes Held at Oxford for the County of Oxford On Saturday the 29th of February 1752 Before the Honourable Heneague Legge Esq; and Sir Sydney Stafford Smythe Knt. Two of the Barons of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer. Published by Permission of the Judges. London: Printed for John and James Rivington At the Bible and Crown In St. Paul's Church Yard 1752. ii 46 pp. Folio 11-3/4" x 7". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning margins trimmed closely with no loss to text. Light soiling to exterior clean tear from a fold near center of lower half of text block early repairs to inner margins of several leaves a few minor tears and chips to edges of title page chips a few tears with minor loss to text to final leaf. $250. Only edition one of three issues the others an octavo issued by Rivington and an octavo issued in Dublin by Faulkner. Blandy was the daughter of a prosperous lawyer. Her father Francis advertised a large dowry of 10000 which attracted many suitors including one who captivated her Captain William Henry Cranstoun the son of a Scottish nobleman. Francis learned later that he was married and a father. Confronted with these facts by Francis Cranstoun claimed his marriage was invalid and made several attempts he claimed to have it annulled. Over time Francis became suspicious about Cranstoun's motives. Sensing danger Cranstoun gave Mary a "love philtre" and told her to mix it into one of her father's meals. He said it would change his behavior towards him. It was actually arsenic. When Mary realized what she had done she foolishly burned Cranstoun's letters and discarded the rest of the arsenic. Cranstoun fled to France. Mary was tried and sentenced to death by hanging. This was a sensational trial and it was covered extensively by the press. It also generated a secondary literature that included several contributions written by Mary such as "Miss Mary Blandy's Own Account of the Affair between Her and Mr. Cranstoun." As indicated by her last request to the execution officials she remained a proper middle-class lady to the end. "For the sake of decency gentlemen" she pleaded "don't hang. unknown
1686Best.-Nr. 806181686. London: Printed for Dorman Newman 1686. London: Printed for Dorman Newman 1686. A Member of a Plot to Depose James II Trial. Warrington Henry Booth Earl of 1652-1694 Defendant. The Tryal of Henry Baron Delamere for High-Treason In Westminster-Hall The 14th Day of January 1685. Before the Right Honourable George Lord Jeffreys Baron of Wemm Lord High Chancellour of England Constituted Lord High Steward on that Occasion. On Which Day After Full Hearing The Lord Delamere was Acquitted from All Matters Laid to His Charge. London: Printed for Dorman Newman 1686. iv 87 1 pp. With imprimatur leaf. Folio 12" x 7-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet spine discreetly reinforced with archival tissue. Moderate toning faint dampstaining to top-edge not affecting text occasional light foxing light soiling and a few faint stains to exterior. $150. Only edition. Warrington was indicted as a participant in Monmouth's rebellion an attempt by the Duke of Monmouth an illegitimate son of Charles II to claim the throne and depose James II. The special charge against Delamere "was that at the time of Monmouth's rebellion he had gone secretly to Cheshire with the view of inciting a rising in the north of England." While it is nearly certain that Delamere sympathized with Monmouth's designs he was able to explain his journey as a wish to visit a favorite child who was dangerously ill. "Moreover Thomas Saxon the only witness who would positively swear to the correspondence of Delamere and Monmouth so hopelessly contradicted himself that he was afterwards convicted of perjury" DNB. Dictionary of National Biography DNB II:842-844. English Short-Title Catalogue R23568. unknown
1681Best.-Nr. 806151681. Treason Trial of a Founding Member of the Whig Party Trial. Shaftesbury Anthony Ashley Cooper Earl of 1621-1683. The Proceedings at the Sessions House in the Old-Baily London on Thursday the 24th Day of November 1681. Before His Majesties Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer Upon the Bill of Indictment for High-Treason Against Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury. Published by His Majestie Special Command. London: Printed for Samuel Mearne and John Baker 1681. iv 48 pp. With initial blank leaf. Folio 11" x 6-3/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet spine discreetly reinforced with archival tissue. Moderate toning negligible light foxing in a few places light browning to edges of margins light soiling and a few minor stains to exterior folds and light wear to corners of several leaves faint smudge to head of leaf B1 p.1. $250. 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 was an outspoken supporter of the Exclusion Bill which was intended to exclude the Catholic James II from ascending the thrones of England Scotland and Ireland. Shaftesbury was arrested for high treason by the Tory leadership after the failure of the bill in 1681. The prosecution was dropped several months later. However in 1682 after the Tories had gained the ability to pack London juries Shaftesbury fled the country to avoid a second trial. He died in Amsterdam in 1683. English Short-Title Catalogue R21380. unknown
1681Best.-Nr. 809481681. The Cartoonist Executed: The Treason Trial of the "Protestant Joiner" Trial. College Colledge Stephen c.1635-1681. The Arraignment Tryal and Condemnation of Stephen Colledge for High-Treason In Conspiring the Death of the King The Levying of War And the Subversion of the Government. Before the Right Honourable Sr. Francis North Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas And Other Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery Held at the City of Oxon for the County of Oxon The 17th and 18th of August 1681. London: Printed for Thomas Bassett at the George in Fleetstreet And John Fish Near the Golden Tun in the Strand 1681. vi 30 27-62 69-84 79-102 pp. Pagination irregular. With imprimatur leaf. Folio 12-1/4" x 7-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent paper-covered boards pebbled-cloth spine with calf lettering piece endpapers renewed. Light browning to interior light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf minor worming near foot of gutter of first half of text block chipping to corners of several leaves notable chipping to edges of title page following leaf and final leaf of text corrections to page numbers in recent penciled hand to several leaves. $450. First and only contemporary edition. College a fine carpenter famously known as the "Protestant Joiner" was a radical Whig activist and inventor of the "Protestant Flail." This trial represents a peak in the Exclusion Crisis hysteria; after a London grand jury famously returned an "Ignoramus" refusal to indict verdict the Crown moved the proceedings to Oxford to ensure a conviction. Notably College's own satirical prints were used as evidence against him-a rare instance of political cartoons serving as a basis for a treason charge. He was subsequently executed via hanging drawing and quartering. English Short-Title Catalogue R015865. unknown
1776Best.-Nr. 784871776. London: Charles Bathurst 1776. London: Charles Bathurst 1776. The Colorful Duchess of Kingston Trial. Kingston Elizabeth Chudleigh Hervey Duchess of 1720-1788 Defendant. The Trial of Elizabeth Duchess Dowager of Kingston for Bigamy Before the Right Honourable the House of Peers In Westminster-Hall In Full-Parliament On Monday the 15th Tuesday the 16th Friday the 19th Saturday the 20th and Monday the 22d of April 1776; On the Last of Which Days the Said Elizabeth Duchess Dowager of Kingston was Found Guilty. Published by Order of the House of Peers. London: Printed for Charles Bathurst 1776. iv 176 pp. Title page preceded by imprimatur leaf. Folio 13-1/2" x 8-1/2". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards rebacked retaining spine endpapers renewed. Moderate rubbing light gatoring to spine small chip to head of spine corners bumped and somewhat worn small later bookseller ticket to front pastedown front hinge cracked another crack in text block between p. 176 which is lightly soiled and following leaf. Moderate toning to interior light foxing in a few places owner name Horace Witner "1906 or 7" to front endleaf 19th or 20th-century annotations in pencil to endleaves some leaves have marks to margins in same hand lower corner lacking from leaves I4 pp. 35-36 and Ss2 pp.159-160 with no loss to text. $650. Only edition. When she determined to marry the Duke of Kingston Elizabeth feared the scandal of divorce from her first husband Augustus Hervey later Earl of Bristol who wanted a divorce so she instituted a suit of jactitation against him. His negative response ignored she took an oath that she was unmarried and the court so declared her. She married the Duke of Kingston in 1769 and he died in 1770 and left her a substantial estate on the condition that she remain a widow. The duke's nephew Mr. Evelyn Meadow brought suit against her for bigamy shortly after the duke's death while she was traveling in Italy. She returned to England to stand trial. Found guilty she would have been "burned on the hand" but she claimed the privilege of her peerage which served to exempt her from corporal punishment. She continued a life of travel and adventure until her sudden death in Paris in 1788. Dictionary of National Biography IX:730. Sowerby Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson 1957. English Short-Title. unknown
