Livre Rare Book
PROUDHON Pierre-JosephLivre Rare Book
Librairie DHOUAILLY SAS · Paris, France€390.00
3,319 results
ref. 68415aaf1835, in-4to, Original-Pappband.
17862 opere in un volume, cm. 18,3, mezza pelle marm. con tassello e fregi in oro al dorso, piatti marm., pag. 96; LXVIII. Interessante memoria difensiva di Cagliostro relativa all'accusa della famosa truffa della collana ai danni di Maria Antonietta e dei gioiellieri Bohmer e Bassenge. Piccola mancanza al dorso, un alone al margine superiore esterno alla fine della seconda opera, comunque ottimo esemplare in solida legatura.
ref. 19780Note from Lincoln's Inn dated 16 September 1820. Engraving published by A. Wivell 40 Castle Street East Marylebone and T. Kelly 17 Paternoster Row. Undated. ONE: ANS. 1p. 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition lightly aged. The second leaf bears the address part of which has been cut away: '<.> Wright Esq <.> Panton Square <.> Coventry Street'. Reads: 'Sir I am much in want of the copies of V. <> & the other speeches & I hope you can let me have my own or other copies I am Your most Obt. Servant Wm. Vizard'. TWO: Engraving of 'Willm. Vizard Esqr. Her Majesty's Solicitor. Engraved by T. Wright from a Drawing by A. Wivell.' At bottom right-hand corner 'P 2/6'. Dimensions of image 9.5 x 8 cm. On 17 x 12 cm paper. Aged and worn with dog-eared corner and slight staining at head. The National Portrait Gallery in London does not hold a copy of this item in its collection. Note from Lincoln's Inn, dated 16 September 1820. Engraving published by A. Wivell, 40 Castle Street, East, Marylebone, and T. K unknown
1991Approximately 500 pages. The People's of the White Western World have been and are being prosecuted and found guilty for their way; for their beliefs and even for history. All this without there ever having been a fair trial! The Governments of these people have led this prosecution, paying for it with the People's own (taxes) money, not one penny being offered to any to make a statement of defense. "In my lifetime, I have seen a rapid increase in opinion being portrayed as fact, even opinion being legislated as fact... Herewith the end result of collecting my personal opinions...." Much stimulating reading for anyone concerned by the ongoing destruction of Canada. Creasing to covers. Average wear to contents. Unmarked. Binding solid. Remains a solid working copy. Book
ref. 166464Paris, Ledentu, marchands de nouveautés, 1832 in-8, [4]-495 pp., broché sous couverture imprimée, dans emboîtage de demi-toile verte, dos lisse orné d'une fleur de lis (reliure moderne). Qqs rousseurs. Bon exemplaire.
ref. 245542Bordeaux, Imprimerie des ouvriers-associés (Métreau gérant), 1849, fort vol. in-8, 767 pp., demi-basane noire, dos lisse orné de filets dorés, tranches mouchetées (reliure de l'époque). Premier plat déraché. Importants manques de cuir au dos, coins abîmés, rousseurs.
1875br., non massicoté et partiellement non coupé, tome IV imprimé sur papier vergé, (t. I et II débrochés, accroc avec ptt. mq. à la couv. du t. IV), int. frais Rare exemplaire de cette source essentielle sur la vie politique entre la Restauration et 1852. Elles ont été établies de manière posthume par son fils, R. Barrot et certains auteurs pensent qu’elles ont été quelque peu expurgées.
1757ref. 22365Paris DURAND 1757 -in-4 plein-veau 6 volumes, reliure plein veau havane marbré et raçiné in-quarto(binding full calfskin in-4) (19,6 x 26,2 cm), dosà nerfs (spine with raised band), décoré "or" et à froid (gilt and blind stamping decoration), pièce de titre et de tomaison sur fond grenat (piece of title) avec double filets "or" en encadrement pour la pièce de titre et avec double filets "or" en encadrement et rinceaux "or" aux angles pour la pièce de tomaison, roulette "or" en place des nerfs avec un filet à froid de part et d'autre des nerfs, entre-nerfs à fleuron "or" dans un encadrement d'un double filet "or" avec rinceaux "or" aux angles, roulette "or" en tête et en pied, coiffe supérieure arasée au Tome 1 et léger manque de cuir (moins d'1/10ème de cm) à la coiffe inférieure du Tome 6, double filets "or" sur les coupes, toutes tranches lisses rouges, sans illustrations (no illustrations excepté des bandeaux, lettrinnes et culs-de-lampes historiés gravés sur bois en noir, [XVI (pièces liminaires) + LXII(préface) + 2ff (approbation et privilège) + 699] + [VI + 726 + 1ff (approbation et privilège)] + [VI + 784 + 1ff] + [VIII + 784] + [VIII + 772] + [IV + 776] pages, 1757 à Paris Chez DURAND Libraire Editeur,
ref. 46301 vol. in-8 br. sous couv. d'attente, Sur l'imprimé, De l'Imprimerie de J. M. Cuchet, Imp. Lib. de Mgr. le Duc d'Orléans, & des trois Ordres de la Province de Dauphiné, A Grenoble, 1788, 163 pp., parfait etat reliure demi percaline , avec plats en bradel
4 fort volumes in-4, demi-toile grise, dos lisses, pièce de titre de maroquin rouge. Les quatre premiers volumes qui contiennent les dépositions de témoins. Bon exemplaire, relié, très frais.
1658pl. veau brun moucheté de l’époque, dos à nerfs orné de délicates dentelles dorées, tit. doré sur p. de tit. rouge et noire, bandeaux et lettrines, (frottements, éraflures et petites coupures sur les plats, manque à un coin et une coupe, accident à la coiffe de tête, petit trou au dos et coiffe de pied trop courte, accroc à la coiffe de tête, gardes défraîchies, mouillures claires) Il ne faut pas confondre les deux Le Maistre juristes : Gilles Le Maistre fut président du Parlement de Paris à la fin du XVIème siècle alors que celui-ci, Antoine fut avocat au parlement et conseiller au Conseil d’État du Roi. Ses plaidoyers eurent un grand écho au point qu’on les republia encore au XIXème siècle. Ils constituent un bon tableau de la France de la première moitié du XVIIème siècle : plaidoyer pour une fille déshéritée par son père ; pour un fils mis en religion de force, pour l’éducation d’une petite fille du fait d’une séparation de biens ; contre une violence exercée durant la guerre civile ; pour l’exécution du traité de paix entre la France et l’Angleterre. Certains de ces plaidoyers présentent en outre des aspects théoriques tout à fait intéressants, V. tout spécialement le plaidoyer 12 pour montrer que dans le silence d’une coutume on doit plutôt suivre le droit romain que la coutume de Paris (contre l’opinion professée par Dumoulin), le plaidoyer sur l’application du traité entre la France et l’Angleterre qui pose la question de l’application entre particuliers d’un traité entre deux couronnes.
ref. 57316, Paris, Daniel Horthemels 1688, in-4, pl. veau brun moucheté, tit. doré sur dos à cinq nerfs, caissons richement ornés de fleurons et arabesques dorés, filets dorés encadrants, lettrines ornées, guirlandes ornementales, bandeaux gravés et vignettes, roulettes dorées sur les coupes, tr. rouge, (mors sup. fendillé, papier parfois acidifié), très bon état, ouvrage bien conservé, (14f.)-762p.+ table.
1772ref. 158511772 A Amsterdam chez Michel Rhey 1772. In-12. Pleine basane havane marbrée, dos à nerfs ornés , tranches marbrées, , reliure de l'époque en bel état, nous avons les tomes 3 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 1 5/ 16 / 17 / 18.
1817ref. 745791817. 2 titles in 1. 2 titles in 1. High-Stakes 1817 Irish Scandal: A Scarce Pair of "Crim. Con." Pamphlets Defended by Distinguished Anglo-Irish Barrister Phillips Trial. Blake Martin Joseph Defendant. Crim. Con. A Full Faithful & Impartial Report of that Curious Extraordinary and Interesting Trial with Speeches of Counsel and Judge's Charge In the Case Wherein Mark Browne Esq. Was Plaintiff and Martin Jos. Blake Esq. Defendant In an Action of Damages for Crim. Con. With the Plaintiff's Wife. Tried in the Court of Common Pleas Dublin On the 9th and 10th Days of July 1817 Before the Right Honorable Lord Norbury and a Special Jury of the City of Dublin; Damages laid at 30000. Dublin: Printed by J. Charles 1817. 48 pp. Bound with Phillips Charles 1787-1859. The Speech of Charles Phillips Esq. In the Case of Brown Versus Blake for Adultery; Delivered Before Lord Norbury and a Special Jury on the 9th July 1817. Dublin: Printed at the Hibernia Press Office For John Cumming 1817. 31 pp. Octavo 8" x 5"; 20.3 x 12.7cm. Two titles bound together. Stab-stitched pamphlet in later plain wrappers. Two vertical fold lines to front wrapper. Moderate toning to interior light foxing in places early library stamps to head of page 3 of Crim. Con. verso of title page head of page 7 and verso of final leaf of Speech. A very good copy of two scarce Irish legal pieces. $450. Crim. Con.: First edition; Speech: only edition. A second edition of Crim. Con. was published shortly after in 1817. Although it was a typical adultery trial Browne v. Blake attracted a fair amount of attention because of the high-stakes damages sought 30000 and the fact that Blake's lawyer was Charles Phillips: a leading Anglo-Irish barrister. Phillips was renowned for his oratory and expertise with adultery cases. Phillips successfully secured a defense verdict. Both titles are scarce. OCLC locates 5 copies of Crim. Con. all first editions 1 in a North American law library LA County and no copies of Speech. Crim. Con.: British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 3:582. unknown
1817ref. 745791817. 2 titles in 1. 2 titles in 1. High-Stakes 1817 Irish Scandal: A Scarce Pair of "Crim. Con." Pamphlets Defended by Distinguished Anglo-Irish Barrister Phillips Trial. Blake Martin Joseph Defendant. Crim. Con. A Full Faithful & Impartial Report of that Curious Extraordinary and Interesting Trial with Speeches of Counsel and Judge's Charge In the Case Wherein Mark Browne Esq. Was Plaintiff and Martin Jos. Blake Esq. Defendant In an Action of Damages for Crim. Con. With the Plaintiff's Wife. Tried in the Court of Common Pleas Dublin On the 9th and 10th Days of July 1817 Before the Right Honorable Lord Norbury and a Special Jury of the City of Dublin; Damages laid at 30000. Dublin: Printed by J. Charles 1817. 48 pp. Bound with Phillips Charles 1787-1859. The Speech of Charles Phillips Esq. In the Case of Brown Versus Blake for Adultery; Delivered Before Lord Norbury and a Special Jury on the 9th July 1817. Dublin: Printed at the Hibernia Press Office For John Cumming 1817. 31 pp. Octavo 8" x 5"; 20.3 x 12.7cm. Two titles bound together. Stab-stitched pamphlet in later plain wrappers. Two vertical fold lines to front wrapper. Moderate toning to interior light foxing in places early library stamps to head of page 3 of Crim. Con. verso of title page head of page 7 and verso of final leaf of Speech. A very good copy of two scarce Irish legal pieces. $450. Crim. Con.: First edition; Speech: only edition. A second edition of Crim. Con. was published shortly after in 1817. Although it was a typical adultery trial Browne v. Blake attracted a fair amount of attention because of the high-stakes damages sought 30000 and the fact that Blake's lawyer was Charles Phillips: a leading Anglo-Irish barrister. Phillips was renowned for his oratory and expertise with adultery cases. Phillips successfully secured a defense verdict. Both titles are scarce. OCLC locates 5 copies of Crim. Con. all first editions 1 in a North American law library LA County and no copies of Speech. Crim. Con.: British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 3:582. unknown books
1855ref. 821721855. New Haven: Thomas H. Pease 1855. New Haven: Thomas H. Pease 1855. Rare Account of an 1855 New Haven Murder Case: McDade 178 Trial. Clark Willard d.1855 Defendant. McFarland Henry H. Reporter. Report of the Trial of Willard Clark Indicted for the Murder of Richard W. Wight Before the Superior Court of Connecticut Holden at New Haven On Monday September 17 1855. New Haven: Thomas H. Pease. T.J. Stafford Printer 1855. 217 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 21.6 x 14 cm. Disbound. Moderate toning a few signatures at beginning and end of text block loose light foxing in places light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf residue from wrappers and binding to spine. $450. Only edition. McDade offers a neat summary of this case: "Clark was apparently infatuated with a girl who married Wight. With no warning he shot Wight through the head while Wight was kneeling to tie a bundle. The crime and trial were in New Haven Connecticut; Clark was acquitted on the ground of insanity." OCLC does not locate any printed copies but we found examples at the American Antiquarian Society the University of Michigan Medler Crime Collection Clements Library and Yale Law School. McDade The Annals of Murder 178. unknown
1855ref. 821721855. New Haven: Thomas H. Pease 1855. New Haven: Thomas H. Pease 1855. Rare Account of an 1855 New Haven Murder Case: McDade 178 Trial. Clark Willard d.1855 Defendant. McFarland Henry H. Reporter. Report of the Trial of Willard Clark Indicted for the Murder of Richard W. Wight Before the Superior Court of Connecticut Holden at New Haven On Monday September 17 1855. New Haven: Thomas H. Pease. T.J. Stafford Printer 1855. 217 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 21.6 x 14 cm. Disbound. Moderate toning a few signatures at beginning and end of text block loose light foxing in places light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf residue from wrappers and binding to spine. $450. Only edition. McDade offers a neat summary of this case: "Clark was apparently infatuated with a girl who married Wight. With no warning he shot Wight through the head while Wight was kneeling to tie a bundle. The crime and trial were in New Haven Connecticut; Clark was acquitted on the ground of insanity." OCLC does not locate any printed copies but we found examples at the American Antiquarian Society the University of Michigan Medler Crime Collection Clements Library and Yale Law School. McDade The Annals of Murder 178. unknown books
1840ref. 848861840. Philadelphia: Printed by W.S. Martien 1840. Philadelphia: Printed by W.S. Martien 1840. A Foundational Text of American Family Law: The 1840 d'Hauteville Habeas Corpus Report Trial. D'Hauteville Custody Case. Sears David et al. Defendants. Report of the d'Hauteville Case: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania At the Suggestion of Paul Daniel Gonsalve Grand d'Hauteville Versus David Sears Miriam C. Sears and Ellen Sears Grand d'Hauteville: Habeas Corpus for the Custody of an Infant Child. Philadelphia: Printed by W.S. Martien 1840. 295 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2"; 22 x 14 cm. Contemporary three-quarter morocco over marbled boards later repair to head of spine. Light rubbing to boards moderate rubbing to extremities front joint starting corners bumped and lightly worn early owner name "Clara A. Coolidge" to front free endpaper. Moderate toning to interior faint dampstaining to foot of text block. A very good copy. $450. Only edition. The d'Hauteville case was a 19th-century cause celebre that pitted an American heiress against her Swiss aristocratic husband in a battle that transfixed the Atlantic world. When Ellen Sears fled her 'tyrannical' husband to give birth in Philadelphia she challenged the centuries-old legal tradition of patria potestas-the absolute right of the father to his children. This report documents the court's revolutionary decision to prioritize the child's welfare over the father's 'property' rights. It is a cornerstone of American jurisprudence cited for decades as the origin of the 'Tender Years Doctrine' and the shift toward maternal custody for infants. This copy bears the contemporary ownership signature of Clara A. Coolidge likely of the prominent Boston family. Her possession of this specific report is noteworthy as the d'Hauteville case became a rallying cry for elite 19th-century women navigating the restrictive laws of coverture and custodial rights. See Grossberg A Judgment for Solomon: The d'Hauteville Case and Legal Experience in Antebellum America. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 11423. unknown
1840ref. 848861840. Philadelphia: Printed by W.S. Martien 1840. Philadelphia: Printed by W.S. Martien 1840. A Foundational Text of American Family Law: The 1840 d'Hauteville Habeas Corpus Report Trial. D'Hauteville Custody Case. Sears David et al. Defendants. Report of the d'Hauteville Case: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania At the Suggestion of Paul Daniel Gonsalve Grand d'Hauteville Versus David Sears Miriam C. Sears and Ellen Sears Grand d'Hauteville: Habeas Corpus for the Custody of an Infant Child. Philadelphia: Printed by W.S. Martien 1840. 295 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2"; 22 x 14 cm. Contemporary three-quarter morocco over marbled boards later repair to head of spine. Light rubbing to boards moderate rubbing to extremities front joint starting corners bumped and lightly worn early owner name "Clara A. Coolidge" to front free endpaper. Moderate toning to interior faint dampstaining to foot of text block. A very good copy. $450. Only edition. The d'Hauteville case was a 19th-century cause celebre that pitted an American heiress against her Swiss aristocratic husband in a battle that transfixed the Atlantic world. When Ellen Sears fled her 'tyrannical' husband to give birth in Philadelphia she challenged the centuries-old legal tradition of patria potestas-the absolute right of the father to his children. This report documents the court's revolutionary decision to prioritize the child's welfare over the father's 'property' rights. It is a cornerstone of American jurisprudence cited for decades as the origin of the 'Tender Years Doctrine' and the shift toward maternal custody for infants. This copy bears the contemporary ownership signature of Clara A. Coolidge likely of the prominent Boston family. Her possession of this specific report is noteworthy as the d'Hauteville case became a rallying cry for elite 19th-century women navigating the restrictive laws of coverture and custodial rights. See Grossberg A Judgment for Solomon: The d'Hauteville Case and Legal Experience in Antebellum America. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 11423. unknown books
1841ref. 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
1841ref. 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 books
1839ref. 738111839. Murder at Sea Trial. Ehlert Jacob Frederich Defendant. Sunderland Murder. The Trial of Jacob Frederich Ehlert For the Murder of Capt. Johan Fredrick Berkholdz Of the Ship Phoenix While Asleep in his Cabin On the Night of the 12th of June 1839. Convicted on the Evidence of his Accomplice Daniel Fredrick Muller. With an Account of His Execution. &c. Durham: Printed by George Walker 1839. 24 pp. Octavo 6-3/4" x 3-3/4". Unsewn pamphlet edges untrimmed. Light toning light foxing in a few places light soiling to edges light edgewear to bottom edge fold line to bottom right corner of final leaf which is starting to separate at ends but secure. $450. Only edition. Ehlert a sailor on the Norwegian brigantine Phoenix murdered the ship's captain Johann Friedrich Berkholdz while he was sleeping and threw the body overboard. The apparent motive was robbery as Muller his accomplice and a witness to the event later testified. Our account concerns Ehlert's trial and execution and ends with a poignant description of Captain Berkholdz's tombstone and the epitaph there. OCLC locates 8 copies 4 in North America Harvard Harvard Law School Harvard Medical School Princeton. unknown
1839ref. 738111839. Murder at Sea Trial. Ehlert Jacob Frederich Defendant. Sunderland Murder. The Trial of Jacob Frederich Ehlert For the Murder of Capt. Johan Fredrick Berkholdz Of the Ship Phoenix While Asleep in his Cabin On the Night of the 12th of June 1839. Convicted on the Evidence of his Accomplice Daniel Fredrick Muller. With an Account of His Execution. &c. Durham: Printed by George Walker 1839. 24 pp. Octavo 6-3/4" x 3-3/4". Unsewn pamphlet edges untrimmed. Light toning light foxing in a few places light soiling to edges light edgewear to bottom edge fold line to bottom right corner of final leaf which is starting to separate at ends but secure. $450. Only edition. Ehlert a sailor on the Norwegian brigantine Phoenix murdered the ship's captain Johann Friedrich Berkholdz while he was sleeping and threw the body overboard. The apparent motive was robbery as Muller his accomplice and a witness to the event later testified. Our account concerns Ehlert's trial and execution and ends with a poignant description of Captain Berkholdz's tombstone and the epitaph there. OCLC locates 8 copies 4 in North America Harvard Harvard Law School Harvard Medical School Princeton. unknown books
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
