367 resultados
1810ref. 786311810. Rare Trial Report Notable for its Insights Into Gender and Class in Georgian Society Trial. Lippincott Henry Cann Defendant. Walker Charles Houlden Reporter. A Report of the Trial of Sir H.C. Lippincott Bart. On a Charge of Rape Committed on the Person of Mary Milford Spinster Aged 17 Years; Preferred at the Assizes of General Gaol-Delivery for the City and County of Bristol On the 18th of April 1810 Before Sir Vicary Gibbs Knt. Recorder and Alderman of the Said City. With Prefatory Observations Notes And an Appendix Containing the Information on Which the Presecution was Founded. Second Edition With Emendations. London: Sold by W. Chapple And B. Crosby J. Lansdown And W. Sheppard And All Other Booksellers 1810. xvi 54 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light foxing to several leaves moderate edgewear to title page faint fold lines to upper-outside corner of text block minor chips and tears to edges of a few leaves. $750. Second final and definitive edition. Milford an inmate in an almshouse accused Lippincott of rape. He was acquitted but Walker his prosecutor claimed he was guilty and wrote this pamphlet ostensibly a report to prove his case in the court of public opinion. Walker claims Lippincott was able to evade justice due to his social position. His account is unusually moralistic and notable for its insights into the nature of gender and class in Georgian society. The first edition was published in Bristol in 1810. It and the second edition are rare. OCLC locates 2 copies in North American law libraries University of Memphis Law Library York University Law Library. Neither edition in the Harvard Law Catalogue or the British Museum Catalogue. unknown
1815ref. 786451815. A Deadly Riot at the Home of a Future Prime Minister Trial. Ripley James Primary Defendant. The Trial of James Ripley Richard Burton Robert Hebert And Richard Matthews For the Murder of Jane Watson At the Sessions House in the Old Bailey On Saturday the 8th of April 1815. Taken in Short Hand by Mr. W.B. Gurney Short-Hand Writer to Both Houses of Parliament. London: Printed for J. Hatchard 1815. 100 pp. Octavo 8" x 5". Stab-stitched pamphlet disbound and recently resewn spine reinforced with tissue. Light toning occasional light foxing small stains to a few leaves. $350. Only edition. Ripley was a butler and his fellow defendants soldiers. All were called upon to defend the house of Frederick John Robinson a senior trade minister and future Prime Minister after an angry mob gathered at his house; Robinson was the target of public ire for his sponsorship of the Corn Laws of 1815 which led to high grain prices that disproportionately burdened the poor. A woman was shot in the chaos and later died of her wounds. Ripley pled self-defense citing Hale Hawkins and Mansfield among others. He and his fellow defendants were acquitted. OCLC locates 7 copies of this title 2 in law libraries Library of Congress Harvard. British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 21:691. unknown
1862ref. 786631862. A Lethal Dose of Strychnine Intended to Induce Abortion Trial. Hersey George C Defendant. Yerrinton James M.W. Reporter. Report of the Case of Geo. C. Hersey Indicted for the Murder of Betsy Frances Tirrell Before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts; Including the Hearing on the Motion in Arrest of Judgment The Prisoner's Petition For a Commutation of Sentence The Death Warrant Officer's Return Upon It And the Confession. Boston: A. Williams & Co. 1862. 267 pp. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6". Original cloth blind stamped frames to boards gilt title to spine. Light rubbing and a few faint stains to boards moderate rubbing to extremities spine gilt oxidized chipping to spine ends joints starting at ends corners bumped and worn. Light browning to interior faint marginal dampstaining light foxing to a few leaves. $100. First edition. According to McDade "Hersey had been living in Weymouth Massachusetts with the Tirrell family since the sudden death four months before of their daughter and his fiancee Mary Tirrell. A second daughter Betsy became pregnant by him and he gave her a drug which he represented would cause an abortion. Actually it was strychnine which he had obtained in Boston allegedly to poison a dog. He was convicted and hanged. The preface claims this to be the only in 1862 published trial in which strychnine was detected by analysis in the deceased." McDade The Annals of Murder 472. unknown
1795ref. 789051795. Edinburgh: Printed for William Brown 1795. Edinburgh: Printed for William Brown 1795. The Trial of a Would-Be Revolutionary Trial. Watt Robert c.1761-1794 Defendant. Trial of Robert Watt For High Treason Before the Court Under the Special Commission of Oyer and Terminer Held at Edinburgh. Taken in Short Hand by Mr. Blanchard Revised by the Counsel on Both Sides And Published with the Permission of the Court. Edinburgh: Printed for William Brown 1795. ii 364 pp. Folding plate illustrating pikes found in Watt's possession. Octavo 8-1/4" x 4-3/4". Contemporary calf gilt fillets to spine lettering piece lacking blind tooling to board edges. Light rubbing and a few small nicks and scratches to boards which are slightly bowed and separated but secured by cords faint dampstain to front board moderate rubbing to extremities shelf location in ink to foot of spine corners bumped and worn faint offsetting to preliminaries front free endpaper loosening but secure. Light toning to interior light soiling in a few places edgewear and light creasing to folding plate brief recent ink annotation to title page. $250. Only edition. Watt a wine merchant and political radical was the architect of a somewhat confused plot to establish Scotland as an independent country. After a search of his house turned up a number of pikes and the type for a seditious handbill he was arrested and tried for treason. A co-conspirator was pardoned but Watt was not so lucky. He was convicted and sentenced to be hanged and beheaded despite the jury's recommendation of mercy. The sentence reflected the court's opinion of the severity of Watt's crime. It was also intended to be a warning to other radicals. English Short-Title Catalogue N013806. unknown
1794ref. 790191794. New York: Samuel Campbell 1794. New York: Samuel Campbell 1794. Copy of an Account of an Anti-Radical Crackdown Owned by Two Lawyers Who Were Union Army Officers Trial. Gerrald Joseph 1763-1796. The Trial of Joseph Gerrald Delegate from the London Corresponding Society To the British Convention. Before the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh On the 3d 10th 13th And 14th of March 1794. For Sedition. Taken in Short-Hand by Mr. Ramsey. New York: Printed and Sold by Samuel Campbell No. 124 Pearl-Street 1794. 207 1 pp. With a frontispiece portrait of Gerrald. Octavo 7-3/4" x 4-3/4". Contemporary quarter calf over plain paper-covered boards gilt fillets and hand-lettered title to spine edges dyed yellow. Light rubbing to boards a few faint stains to front board moderate rubbing to extremities front joint starting at head corners lightly worn hinges cracked later pencil notes to front free endpaper which has a small clean tear at fore-edge affecting annotations book label of "H. Scofield's/ Library/ No. 15913" to its verso. Moderate toning to interior light foxing in a few places faint offsetting from frontispiece early owner signature of Benjamin F. Butler to head of title page. A very good copy in a well preserved original and unsophisticated 18th century New York binding. $750. First American edition. Gerrald a radical political activist and reformer was a member of the Society for Constitutional Information and the London Corresponding Society. During a wave of prosecutions of radical activists after the French Revolution Gerrald was arrested along with four of his colleagues and tried for sedition. Like others carried out during this time the trials resulted in guilty verdicts; the group of Scottish activists tried between 1793 and 1794 are often referred to as the "Scottish Martyrs." Gerrald was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation and died in 1796 in Botany Bay. Other American editions were published by Campbell the same year. Remembered today as a general in the U.S. Army during the Civil War Butler 1818-1893 was a leading Massachusetts trial lawyer who practiced in Lowell and Boston. Later he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives where he played a central role in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson and governor of Massachusetts. Hiram Scofield 1830-1906 was a prominent lawyer and Civil War colonel. A dedi. unknown
1794ref. 788791794. 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" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning faint dampstaining to bottom edge occasional light foxing frontispiece and title page separating at foot but light soiling to exterior occasional light foxing light edgewear to frontispiece which is just starting to separate at head with title page but secure. $200. 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. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13350. unknown
1886ref. 791321886. London: Stevens and Haynes 1886. London: Stevens and Haynes 1886. Bartlett Adelaide Defendant. Beal Edward Editor. Clarke Edward Preface. The Trial of Adelaide Bartlett for Murder. Held at the Central Criminal Court Monday April 12 to Saturday April 17th 1886. London: Stevens and Haynes 1886. x 313 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 6". Original cloth. Bookplate of "Sir John Hall of Dunglass Baronet" to front pastedown. Some shelfwear and dampstaining binding somewhat cocked. Internally clean. A good copy. $95. The Dunglass family was a noble Scottish family. The plate may belong to Sir John Richard Hall of Dunglass 9th Bt 1865-1928 who was an author and decorated serviceman appointed to Commander Order of the British Empire. thepeerage.com. One of the more unusual and baffling English murder cases it involved liquid chloroform and an incestuous family. Mrs. Bartlett the lover of her brother-in-law was accused of poisoning her husband in order to inherit his estate. How she murdered him remains a mystery however. Although chloroform was found in his stomach no traces were found in his mouth or throat. Unable to determine how she could have killed her husband the jury did not convict Mrs. Bartlett. unknown
1917ref. 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
1817ref. 740901817. Edinburgh 1817. Edinburgh 1817. Trial of a Leader of an 1816 Plot to Overthrow the British Government Trial. Watson James 1766-1838 Defendant. The Trial of James Watson The Elder Before the Court of King's Bench In Westminster Hall On the 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th And 16th June 1817. For High Treason. Taken in Short Hand. Edinburgh: Printed for Alex. Jameson et al. 1817. vi 250 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2". Printed wrappers edges untrimmed bound in later patterned cloth gilt-stamped title and date to spine. Light rubbing to boards and extremities spine ends and corners bumped and lightly worn front hinge starting rear hinge cracked. Light toning to interior very light foxing to a few leaves light soiling to wrappers ownership signature of William Macmath dated April 29 1868 to inside of front wrapper. $150. Only edition. Watson was tried for his role in the Spa Fields riot. This riot followed a pair of meetings held by revolutionaries at Spa Fields Islington England on November 15 and December 2 1816. Opponents of the government they resolved to encourage rioting and then seize control of the government by capturing the Tower of London and the Bank of England. Watson Arthur Thistlewood and three other leaders were arrested and charged with high treason as a result. Watson was acquitted and the other three were released without trial. Thistlewood would go on to lead the failed Cato Street Conspiracy in 1820. OCLC locates 7 copies of this title in North American law libraries Yale Columbia University of Minnesota University of Missouri LA County Library of Congress Social Law. unknown
1849ref. 739211849. A Murder Trial that Inspired Dickens Trial. Manning Frederick George 1820-1849 Defendant. Manning Maria 1821-1849 Defendant. The Bermondsey Murder. A Full Report of the Trial of Frederick George Manning and Maria Manning For the Murder of Patrick O'Connor At Minver-Place Bermondsey On the 9th of August 1849. Including Memoirs of Patrick O'Connor Frederick George Manning And Maria Manning. With their Portraits And Several Other Engravings. At head of title: Clark's Edition. London: Printed and Published by W.M. Clark 1849. 64 pp. Illustrated. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in recent plain wrappers edges rouged housed in plain folder with printed label to front. Moderate toning to interior light foxing and soiling to a few leaves a few slight cracks to text block all leaves secure very faint offsetting from illustrations in places. With Manning Frederick George. Manning Maria. The Only Correct Account of the Confession and Execution of Frederick George Manning and Maria Manning For the Murder of Patrick O'Connor. London: Now Publishing By W.M. Clark 1849. 16 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in recent plain wrappers printed label to front wrapper endleaves added. Moderate toning to interior negligible light foxing and soiling in places. Together two items. $1250. Only stated editions; Trial: one of two 1849 issues. O'Connor a wealthy gauger customs official and moneylender was the former lover of Marie De Roux later Manning. He was murdered by Marie and her husband Frederick George Manning. The motivation was greed. The case attracted a good deal of public attention and became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." Eventually apprehended the husband and wife were hanged on November 13 1849. This execution was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700. Dickens witnessed the execution and wrote an account of it that was published in the Times. The behavior of the crowd repulsed him and he became a leading advocate for ending public executions. The campaign was eventually successful in 1868. He later based a character on Marie Manning: Mademoiselle Hortense Lady Dedlock's maid in Bleak House. Our account of the trial had two 1849 issues with different pag. unknown
1886ref. 742401886. The Personal Copy of the Author who was the Attorney General at the Time Trial. Goodwin Henry K. Defendant. Sherman Edgar J. 1834-1914. Commonwealth vs. Henry K. Goodwin: Charged by Indictment with the Wilful Murder of Albert D. Swan: Eighth Day of the Trial Before Charles Allen and William S. Gardner Justices. Edgar J. Sherman Attorney General Henry F. Hurlburt District Attorney For the Government. Benjamin F. Butler John P. Sweeney For the Prisoner. Argument of the Attorney General In Behalf of the Government. Lawrence MA: American Electric Job Print 1886. 43 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-3/4"; 22.2 x 14.6 cm. Stapled pamphlet in stiff printed wrappers. Light soiling a few tiny stains and moderate edgewear and chipping to wrappers which are partially detached but secure owner signature in faint pencil Edgar J. Sherman to front wrapper. Moderate toning to interior folds to lower outside corners of first 8 leaves. A very good copy. $500. Only edition. Goodwin shot Swan because he thought Swan was trying to cheat him out of his patents relating to the telephone. He was convicted of second degree murder. This pamphlet contains the argument of Edgar J. Sherman who led the state's case against Swan. It appears to have been his personal copy. Attorney general of Massachusetts from 1883 to 1887 Sherman went on to serve as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and an associate justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. This is a rare title. OCLC locates 5 copies 1 in a law library Social Law. McDade The Annals of Murder 360. unknown
1823ref. 733071823. Assault and False Imprisonment Trial. Carr Thomas Defendant. Report of the Trial of Watson Against Carr For an Assault and False Imprisonment Before Sir John Bayley Knt. One of the Justices of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench Westminster At the Guildhall Newcastle On Saturday August 2d 1823. Newcastle: Printed for John Sykes Bookseller 1823. 36 pp. Woodcut title page vignette of Samuel Johnson. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light foxing in a few places. $200. Only edition one of at least 2 issues from the same year. This scarce trial report concerns the beating and false imprisonment of Thomas Watson by Carr. The latter claimed as his defense his position as Town Constable during the time of incident and engaged Henry Brougham as his lawyer. The jury found for Watson and Carr was subject to a fine and court costs. Other copies we have seen have a different title page vignette depicting Newcastle's Guildhall. OCLC locates 7 copies of this title 4 in North America Harvard Law School University of Georgia Law School Temple University University of Pennsylvania Law School. unknown
1822ref. 733861822. Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Co. 1822. Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Co. 1822. The Plaintiff was Represented by Two Distinguished Scottish Jurists Trial. Stevenson Duncan 1776-1867 Defendant. Report of Trial of the Issues In the Action of Damages for Libel in the Beacon James Gibson of Ingliston Esq. Clerk to the Signet - Pursuer Against Duncan Stevenson Printer in Edinburgh - Defender. Taken in Short Hand. Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co. 1822. vi 139 1 2 2 pp. Publisher advertisement to recto of final leaf verso blank. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Recent period-style three-quarter calf over marbled boards by Philip Dusel marbled edges. Moderate toning to interior slightly heavier in a few places illegible early owner signature to rear endleaf. $350. Only edition. Gibson 1765-1850 later Sir James Gibson-Craig 1st Baronet was a lawyer government official and Whig politician. An article in The Beacon a Tory newspaper alledged that he passed forged bank notes. Represented by Francis Jeffrey 1773-1850 and Henry Cockburn 1779-1854 two eminent Scottish jurists who were also notable literary figures Ingliston prevailed and was awarded 500 in damages. Macleod "Craig Sir James Gibson" Moss "Stevenson Duncan" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography accessed online. Macleod "Craig Sir James Gibson" and Moss "Stevenson Duncan" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography accessed online. British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 24:250. unknown
1732ref. 734361732. By Reason of Some Natural Imperfection" Trial. Weld v. Weld. The Proceedings in the Arches-Court of Canterbury in a Cause Between the Hon. Mrs. Catherine Weld Daughter to the Lord Aston; And Edward Weld Esq; Her Husband. Containing I. Her Libel Exhibited Against Him for Impotency. II. Her Answer and Replication. III. Certificates of Ambrose Dickens Esq; His Majesty's Serjeant Surgeon Mr. Williams and Several Other Eminent Surgeons Who Examined Mr. Weld; And also of three Midwives who Examined Mrs. Weld. IV. Copies of the Depositions of Several Noble Persons Relating to This Cause. V. The Sentence Pronounced. To Which is Prefixed a Preface. London: Printed for H. Owen 1757. 48 pp. Octavo 7-1/2' x 4-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in recent stiff marbled-paper wrappers calf lettering piece to spine. Moderate toning to interior faint vertical crease to text block some wear to outer corners of text block light foxing to a few leaves light soiling to title page and p. 48. $750. Third stated edition. The Welds married in 1727 but when there was no issue after three years Catherine sued Edward for divorce in ecclesiastical court on the grounds that he was "unable to perform the Conjugal Rites by Reason of some natural Imperfection which he well knew in himself." Edward fought to clear his name claiming that after a simple surgical procedure he had in fact consummated the marriage twice. The case gained a great deal of public attention largely because the detail of Catherine's claim and the amount of medical evidence presented were unusual even for an impotency trial. Ultimately the divorce was denied and the couple reached a private resolution to live apart. Edward remarried after Catherine's death and fathered a daughter and four sons. It is unclear why our copy is designated the third edition. It appears to be based on an account issued by E. Raynor which went through five editions and two Dublin reprints all in 1732. OCLC and the ESTC locate 3 copies in North America Cornell Rice Harvard Law School. English Short-Title Catalogue ESTC N11985. unknown
1830ref. 734651830. A Pennsylvania Court Summons from 1830 Manuscript. Trial. Pennsylvania. Summons to Appear as a Witness. Lycoming County PA September 1 1830. 4 pp. 6-3/4" x 8" docketed on verso embossed seal near upper-left corner. Light browning and edgewear a few ink spots vertical and horizontal fold lines a few minor tears along folds. $250. This summons directs Peter Shaddy Charles Huff Sophia Graft and James Danley to appear in the court of quarter sessions in Williamsport to testify in the case of Pennsylvania v. James Kinman and Mrs. Dunlap. unknown
1905ref. 734831905. Glasgow and Edinburgh: William Hodge & Co. 1905. Glasgow and Edinburgh: William Hodge & Co. 1905. First Title in the Notable Scottish Trials Series Trial. Smith Madeleine 1835-1938 Defendant. Smith A. Duncan Editor. Trial of Madeleine Smith. Glasgow and Edinburgh: William Hodge & Company 1905. xi 371 9 pp. Frontispiece 3 plates. Original green cloth gilt title and series name to spine top-edge gilt. Light rubbing to boards moderate rubbing to extremities spine ends and corners bumped. Light toning to interior owner signatures to front free endpaper "Russell" and "Scott Moncrieff Penney" leaflet advertising the Notable Scottish Trials Series laid in. $150. First edition. This was the first title issued in the Notable Scottish Trials Series. Smith a socialite was tried before the High Court of Justiciary Edinburgh 1857 for the murder of Pierre Emile L'Angelier and acquitted. Her trial was the basis for a play by Letty Lynton and Dishonered Lady a movie starring Joan Crawford. unknown
1808ref. 734641808. Adultery Trial Involving a Wealthy Heiress A Member of Parliament and the Diplomat who Acquired the Elgin Marbles Trial. Ferguson William Robert 1769-1840 Defendant. An Authentic Account of the Proceedings Under a Writ of Enquiry of Damages In an Action in the Court of King's Bench In Which the Right Hon. The Earl of Elgin was Plaintiff And William Ferguson Esq. Defendant For Criminal Conversation with the Plaintiff's Wife: Executed Before the Sheriff of Middlesex And a Special Jury On the 22d of December 1807: Verdict .10000. London: Printed for J. Hatchard 1808. Only edition. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5"; 21.6 x 12.7cm. ii 113 1 pp. Stab-stitched pamphlet edges untrimmed bound in later red pebbled cloth gilt title to spine. Some bubbling to boards. Small bookseller's ticket and bookplate of Geoffrey Briggs to front pastedown. Front hinge cracked after title page but secure. Moderate toning to interior negligible light foxing to a few leaves light soiling to first and final pages. A very good copy. $450. Only edition of a highly public high-society "Criminal Conversation." Mary Hamilton Bruce 1778-1855 Countess of Elgin was the wife of British diplomat Thomas Bruce 7th Earl of Elgin 1766-1841 best known for his acquisition of the sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens the Elgin Marbles. Ferguson also spelled "Fergusson" was a Whig Member of Parliament and an amateur geologist. When the earl discovered his wife's affair with Ferguson he sued him and won 10000 almost 1000000. today. A divorce followed and Ferguson married her on 20 April 1808. 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. Accounts of this trial are scarce including ours. OCLC locates 7 copies of this title 3 in law libraries Harvard University of Minnesota Library of Congress. unknown
1834ref. 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
1790ref. 733611790. London: Printed for John Stockdale 1790. London: Printed for John Stockdale 1790. A Case That Influenced the Passage of the Libel Act of 1792 Trial. Stockdale John 1749-1814 Defendant. Gurney Joseph 1744-1815 Reporter. Erskine Thomas 1750-1823. The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Information Exhibited Ex Officio by the King's Attorney General Against John Stockdale; For a Libel on the House of Commons Tried in the Court of King's-Bench West-Minster On Wednesday The Ninth of December 1789 Before the Right Hon. Lloyd Lord Kenyon Chief Justice of England. Taken in Short Hand by Joseph Gurney. To Which is Subjoined An Argument in Support of the Rights of Juries. London: Printed for John Stockdale Opposite Burlington House Piccadilly 1790. xi 1 228 pp. Bound with A Briton. Four Letters on the Subject of Mr. Stockdale's Trial For a Supposed Libel on the House of Commons. London: Printed for John Stockdale opposite Burlington House Piccadilly MDCCXC 1790. 52 pp. Lacking the final 8 leaves of advertisements. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards rebacked in period style gilt title fillets and ornaments to spine speckled edges hinges mended. Light rubbing to boards heavier rubbing to board edges corners bumped and somewhat worn early bookseller ticket and armorial bookplate of Charles Warburton to front pastedown. Light toning to interior light soiling to a few leaves. $850. The Whole Proceedings: first edition. Four Letters: Only edition one of two issues from 1790. Stockdale a publisher and bookseller was indicted for libel in the House of Commons after publishing an account of the impeachment of Warren Hastings by John Logan that accused the Commons of corrupt and unjust behavior. Stockdale was defended by Erskine who argued that Stockdale should not be judged by isolated passages in Logan's book but by the entire publication. Stockdale was acquitted and his case is believed to have influenced the passage of the Libel Act of 1792 which restored the verdict power of juries in libel cases. Taken in shorthand by Gurney The Whole Proceedings is Stockdale's account of his trial. A Dublin reissue and a "New" London edition were also published in 1790. Four Letters a work in favor of Stockdale and Erskine claims to provide several facts about the case and Hastings that had been. unknown
1874ref. 726231874. Otego N.Y.: Otego Job Printing 1874. Otego N.Y.: Otego Job Printing 1874. "Criminal Intercourse" in Otego NY Trial. Smith Charles S. Defendant. The Trial and Conviction of Charles S. Smith Of Otego N.Y. Elder of the Presbyterian Church Superintendent of the Sunday School And Trustee of the School District For Bastardy With Sketch of Lucy Edith Wilson His Victim A Girl Eleven Years and Five Months Old And One of His Sunday School Scholars. Otego NY: Otego Job Printing Office 1874. 60 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers portrait of Charles S. Smith to front wrapper and title page. Light soiling to wrappers some chipping to extremities with loss to lower right front corner small tear to back wrapper near spine. Light toning to interior occasional light foxing some small folds to corners. $650. Only edition. Smith a married Presbyterian elder was put on trial in December 1873 for repeatedly raping and ultimately impregnating Edith Wilson an eleven-year-old girl. Although the account is highly sympathetic to the victim the assault described as "criminal intercourse" was apparently less at issue than the bastardy. Edith swore an affidavit in November 1873 that she was pregnant by Charles Smith "without means of support" and "likely to become a charge upon the town." Still pregnant she testified against Smith in open court a remarkable act of bravery and self-possession. The scandal rocked the small upstate New York town. Despite gossip that Edith's father had been involved and a certain degree of scapegoating by other witnesses Smith was convicted of criminal bastardy on the strength of her testimony. Nothing is known about the aftermath of this remarkable trial. OCLC locates 8 copies 3 in law libraries Harvard Social Law University of Missouri. unknown
1822ref. 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
1767ref. 727311767. London: for W. Griffin 1767. 56 23 1 pp. London: for W. Griffin 1767. 56 23 1 pp. A Sensational Inheritance Case Trial. Douglas Cause. A Concise Narrative of the Proceedings in the Douglas Cause: With Remarks Upon the Memorials: In a Letter to a Friend. London: Printed for W. Griffin 1767. 56 23 1 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Light toning light soiling to exterior light foxing in a few places a few creases to final leaf. $500. First edition. The "Douglas Cause" which involved claims on the estate of Duke Douglas was one of the most sensational Scottish trials of the eighteenth century. Douglas died without issue leaving his sister Lady Jane Douglas the heir presumptive. His relatives the Hamiltons had hoped to lay claim to the estate but were foiled when Lady Jane had twin sons at the age of 50. A bitter dispute ensued over whether these children were in fact legitimate but the case was decided against the Hamiltons and the estate went to Lady Jane's surviving child Archibald Stewart Douglas. This was a rancorous case which attracted a great deal of public attention most of it sympathetic to the young Douglas. A second edition was published later the same year. English Short-Title Catalogue T184001. unknown
1696ref. 728341696. London: for Brabazon Aylmer 1696. London: for Brabazon Aylmer 1696. Tried for Treason Without Benefit of Counsel Trial. Friend Sir John d.1696 Defendant. The Tryal and Condemnation of Sir John Friend Knight. For Conspiring to Raise Rebellion in These Kingdoms In Order to a French Invasion: Who Upon Full Evidence was Found Guilty of High-Treason At the Sessions-House in the Old Bayly March 23th 1695/6. London: Printed for Brabazon Aylmer 1696. 35 1 pp. Folio 12" x 7-1/4". Superb period-style three-quarter calf over marbled boards raised bands and lettering piece to spine endpapers renewed. Moderate toning to text light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. $650. Only edition. Friend was charged with high treason for his role in the 1696 Jacobite assassination plot one of a series of Jacobite plots to reverse the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689. Friend's trial was the penultimate instance under English law in which a defendant was tried for treason without benefit of counsel. The Treason Act of 1695 which allowed counsel in cases of treason went into effect two days later. English Short-Title Catalogue R37160. unknown
1775ref. 728391775. Accused of Poisoning Her Elderly Paramour Trial. Butterfield Jane Defendant. The Trial of Jane Butterfield for the Wilful Murder of William Scawen Esq; At the Assizes Held at Croydon for the County of Surry on Saturday the 19th of August 1775 Before the Right Honourable Sir Sidney Stafford Smythe Knt. Lord Chief Baron of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer. London: Printed for W. Owen and G. Kearsly 1775. iv 53 1 pp. Folio 13-1/4" x 8-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent quarter calf over marbled boards blind fillets to calf edge lettering piece and blind fillets to spine. Moderate toning to interior occasional light foxing light soiling and cellotape repairs to edges of a few leaves without loss to text light browning to first and final leaves. $750. Only edition. Butterfield met Scawen an elderly gentleman when she was fourteen and was persuaded by a female accomplice to live with him as a kind of housekeeper-cum-mistress. When her father disowned her as a result Scawen apparently had something of a crisis of conscience and promised to act as a new father to her. The two lived together quite happily and when he grew ill she became his devoted caretaker. When he died his doctor egged on by a suspicious maid accused her of poisoning him in order to gain the inheritance he had supposedly left. The jury deliberated only ten minutes before acquitting Butterfield. English Short-Title Catalogue T93407. unknown
1880ref. 728021880. Rare. Rare. A Raucous Divorce Case: Only Edition of the 1880 Newman Hall Divorce Case Report Trial. Hall v. Hall. The Full Report of the Newman Hall Divorce Case Drop-Head Title. At head of drop-head title: Police News Edition. London: G. Purkess c.1880. 16 pp. Title page has large woodcut portraits of the Halls. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet thread lacking. Moderate toning light edgewear and chipping to spine light foxing to final few leaves title page affected by trimming to top and fore-edges without loss to legibility. Rare. $850. Only edition. In 1880 Christopher Newman Hall a minister who had gained fame in Britain and the United States with his tract Come to Jesus 1848 accused his wife Charlotte of adultery with a friend of the couple. She denied the accusations and accused him of infidelity in turn. The couple was not particularly compatible; Charlotte was a free spirit who loved to hunt and smoke habits her husband despised on moral grounds. Newman Hall's high profile and the humor of much of the testimony made the trial a raucous affair with frequent bursts of laughter from witnesses to the despair of the judge. Newman Hall ultimately succeeded in obtaining a decree nisi and remarried later that year. This is a rare title. No physical copies listed on OCLC or Library Hub. We located a copy at Indiana University. unknown
