3,567 results
1870ref. 780131870. An Important Case in the Development of "Partial Insanity" Jurisprudence Trial. McFarland Daniel b.1820 Defendant. Cazauran Augustus R. 1820-1889 Reporter. The Trial of Daniel McFarland for the Shooting of Albert D. Richardson The Alleged Seducer of His Wife. By a Practical Law Reporter. Containing a Comprehensive History of the Case.Together with the Letters Etc. Offered in Evidence With Full and Unabridged Testimony of All the Witnesses; Together With the Evidence Suppressed by the Daily Press. New York: W.E. Hilton Publisher 1870. 209 31 pp. Text in double columns. Four woodcut plates one of them two-paged. Advertisement to rear wrapper and verso of front wrapper. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-3/4"; 22.2 x 14.6 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet with pictorial wrappers bound into later cloth gilt title and publication date to spine. Light rubbing to extremities spine ends bumped light fading to edges of boards. Moderate edgewear and some soiling to wrappers light toning to text with light foxing in a few places. $750. Only edition one of two issues both in 1870. Daniel McFarland was a hard-drinking drifter and Tammany Hall hack. He flew into a jealous rage when he learned that his ex-wife Abby a famous actress and writer was planning to marry Albert Richardson a popular author and editor at the New York Tribune. Claiming that he was defending his wife's honor even though they were already divorced McFarland shot Richardson at his office. On his deathbed Richardson was married to Abby McFarland by the distinguished minister Henry Ward Beecher. The defense mounted a campaign to vilify Richardson as a seducer and to portray McFarland as a defender of honor and marriage. "Hovering in the background of the trial was the controversial 'unwritten law' that a husband could kill his wife's seducer in the 'heat of passion' without being convicted of murder. McFarland's lawyers drew upon and in the process shaped this evolving 'privilege of irresponsible killing.'.Defense lawyers described McFarland's mental condition as one of 'partial insanity.' They.contrasted this image of a delicate husband with a portrait of a powerful wife-a 'wicked woman'-who yearned for money fame and independence. According to defense lawyers Abby.betrayed and humiliated McFarland" and was thus herself "resp. unknown
1888ref. 780551888. Dener 1888. Scarce. 1st and only edition. Dener 1888. Scarce. 1st and only edition. Did the Judge Promise an Appointment in Exchange for a Donation Trial. Goddard Luther M. 1840-1917 Defendant. Johnson H.B. Reporter. Trial of Judge Luther M. Goddard: Including Legislative Quo Warranto and Disbarment Proceedings. Denver: S.n. 1888. 470 pp. Octavo 9" x 6". Contemporary three-quarter law calf lettering piece and blind fillets to spine. Light rubbing to extremities faint spotting to boards corners bumped and lightly rubbed front hinge just starting at ends early owner signature in pencil S.T. Horn to front free endpaper. Light toning to interior faint crinkling from moisture to foot of text block. $750. Only edition. At the time of this trial Goddard later an associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court was an elected judge of the 5th Judicial District. Goddard's trial was the result of an accusation that he promised to appoint a donor court clerk if elected in exchange for a campaign contribution. Goddard was acquitted. This is a scarce title. OCLC locates 9 copies 6 in law libraries Brigham Young Colorado Supreme Court LA County University of Colorado University of Denver University of South Dakota. Not in the Harvard Law Catalogue 1909. unknown
1809ref. 783081809. A Shilling for His Reputation": An Ironic Libel Suit Brought by a Convicted Libeler - Exceptionally Rare Trial. Tipper Samuel Defendant. Finnerty Peter c.1766-1822 Plaintiff. Finnerty v. Tipper. A Full and Accurate Report of the Trial of the Action Brought by Peter Finnerty Against Samuel Tipper Publisher of "The Satirist" For a Libel. Tried in the Court of Common Pleas Before Sir James Mansfield And a Special Jury On Saturday The 18th of February Last. Taken in Shorthand by an Eminent Reporter; With Some Prefatory Observations and Notes by the Editor. London: Printed for J.M. Richardson 1809. vii 80 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2"; 22.2 x 14 cm. Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet retaining its original untrimmed edges. Moderate toning light intermittent foxing and minor soiling in a few places. Leaves starting at the head but remaining firmly secure. A well-preserved survival of a fragile production. $1500. THIS DESCRIPTION IS TRUNCATED DUE TO CHARACTER LIMITS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A COMPLETE VERSION. First and only edition. This exceptionally rare verbatim report captures a deeply ironic moment in British legal history: a notorious libeler bringing a civil suit for libel to protect a reputation he barely possessed. The plaintiff Peter Finnerty was a fiery Irish radical publisher and journalist whose career was defined by legal battles against the British establishment. In 1797 he was convicted of seditious libel for publishing works sympathetic to the United Irishmen rebellion. Finnerty's relentless anti-establishment crusade made him a celebrated figure among Romantic radicals; the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley famously wrote and published A Poetical Essay on the Existing State of Things 1811 specifically to raise funds for Finnerty's mounting legal fees and support him during his imprisonment. By 1809 Finnerty was once again in the government's crosshairs facing new libel charges after publishing a pamphlet exposing the Duke of York's scandalous sale of military promotions the infamous Mary Anne Clarke affair. While Finnerty awaited trial for this offense Samuel Tipper publisher of the fiercely Tory and pro-establishment magazine The Satirist launched a vicious print attack on him. Refusing to take the insult lying down Finnerty swiftly brought a civil libel suit against Tipper i. unknown
1794ref. 779351794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. New York: Re-printed by James Carey 1794. A Member of the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" Trial. Margarot Maurice Defendant 1745-1815. The Trial of Maurice Margarot Before the High Court of Justiciary At Edinburgh On the 13th and 14th of January 1794 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Shorthand by Mr. Ramsey. New York: London: Printed.-New-York: Re-Printed by James Carey no. 91 Broad-street 1794. 166 pp. Portrait frontispiece laid-in between pp. 52-53. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning occasional light foxing light edgewear to several leaves first and final few leaves separating but secure. $250. Only New York edition reprinted from the London edition of the same year. Margarot was one of the founding members of the London Corresponding Society a radical group inspired by the French Revolution to demand parliamentary reform in the late eighteenth century. Due to the wave of anti-radical and anti-French hysteria initiated by the French Revolution he and four other radicals later known as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" were convicted and transported to Australia in May 1794. English Short-Title Catalogue W20960. unknown
1755ref. 783201755. Murder or Self-Defense Trial. Turton William Defendant. The Tryal of William Turton Esq; For the Murder of John Holloway At the Assizes Held at Oxford On Thursday The Seventeenth Day of July 1755. Before the Honble. Sir Michael Foster One of the Justices of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench. Being an Exact and Impartial Account of the Evidence Given on Either Side. Taken Down by a Gentleman As Deposed in Court. London: Printed for E. Withers 1755. iv 14 pp. With a half-title; lacking final advertisement leaf. Quarto 8-3/4" x 6-3/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior small faint dampstain to top-edge not affecting text half-title just starting to separate at ends but secure. $500. Only edition. Thurton was accused of murder after shooting a young boy whom he claimed was part of a mob attacking his coach. The jury found his self-defense argument convincing and he was acquitted. OCLC locates 7 copies of this title 3 in North American law libraries Harvard Yale Library of Congress. English Short-Title Catalogue T113148. unknown
1776ref. 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
1803ref. 784691803. Lord Admiral Nelson Testified as a Character Witness Trial. Despard Edward Marcus 1751-1803 Primary Defendant. Gurney Joseph Reporter. Gurney William Brodie Reporter. The Trial of Edward Marcus Despard Esquire. For High Treason At the Session House Newington Surry sic On Monday the Seventh of February 1803. London: Sold by M. Gurney 1803. 271 1 pp. Final page is a publisher advertisement. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards lettering piece gilt fillets and tiny early shelf label to spine speckled edges. Light rubbing and two small paper fragments from a label to boards moderate rubbing to extremities with wear to spine ends front board beginning to separate but secure rear joint starting at ends corners bumped and somewhat worn early owner bookplate John Smith Esq. to front pastedown rear hinge starting. Moderate toning to interior light foxing to a few leaves. $250. Only edition. After a brilliant military career in the West Indies Colonel Despard was recalled from his command and dismissed on frivolous charges. He tried to clear his name and seek compensation but his complaints led to imprisonment without a trial 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. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1061. unknown
1866ref. 784601866. An "Unparalleled" Record of Love Bigamy and Murder: A Variant of McDade 493 Trial. Hughes Dr. John W. Defendant. The Trial of Dr. John W. Hughes For the Murder of Miss Tamzen Parsons; With a Sketch of His Life As Related by Himself. A Record of Love Bigamy and Murder Unparalleled in the Annals of Crime. Cleveland: Printed by the Leader Company 1866. 58 pp. Text mostly in double columns. Octavo 9" x 5-3/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet with later staples in pictorial wrappers publisher advertisements to rear wrapper. Browning to wrappers rust to staples chips to corners a few bits of binding material to spine. Light toning to interior light foxing to a few leaves. $350. Only edition one of two issues. "Jealous and intoxicated Hughes on the streets of Bedford Ohio shot the seventeen year old girl he had seduced. At his execution he spoke for fifteen minutes until the sheriff reminded him 'Time is going.' Then he dropped" McDade. McDade notes the existence of this 58-page printing "which adds a farewell letter." McDade The Annals of Murder 493. unknown
1807ref. 784721807. Bowie Ralph former owner. Bowie Ralph former owner. A Card Game and a Libel Case Trial. Livingston Maturin 1769-1847 Plaintiff. Cheetham James 1772-1810 Defendant. Sampson William 1764-1836 Reporter. The Trial of the Hon Maturin Livingston Esq. Against James Cheetham For a Libel; Held at the Sittings On the Twenty Eighth of Nov. 1807 Before the Hon. Judge Spencer. Taken in Short Hand. New York: Printed and Published by S. Gould Law Bookseller and Law Stationer 1807. 63 1 pp. Octavo 7-3/4" x 5-3/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning light foxing in a few places title page detached and lightly edgeworn early owner signature "R. Bowie" affected by trimming to its head. $450. Only edition. Livingston a member of the prominent Livingston family was a New York City lawyer and politician. "Cheetham was accused of libeling Livingston by charging in the Republican Watch Tower 14 September 1805 that the latter cheated at cards. The defendant was found guilty and fined $1000" McCoy. The R. Bowie who owned this pamphlet may be Ralph Bowie 1755-1816. Born and educated in Scotland he emigrated to the United States in the early 1780s for political reasons and established himself in York Pennsylvania where he became a connected and well-respected attorney. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 11994. McCoy Freedom of the Press C296. unknown
1833ref. 784701833. The Last Public Execution in Pennsylvania: McDade 335 Trial. Getter Charles d.1833 Defendant. Trial of Charles Getter For the Murder of His Wife; Late of Forks Township Northampton County And Commonwealth of Pennsylvania In the Court of Oyer and Terminer And General Goal sic Delivery Held at Easton In and For the County of Northampton On the Third Monday of August Anno Domini 1833. Containing the Arguments of Counsel At Length. Reported by a Member of the Easton Bar. Philadelphia: Printed at Alexander's General Printing Office 1833. 71 1 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 4-3/4"; 22.2 x 12 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet bound in later three-quarter morocco over cloth gilt title to spine. Light rubbing to extremities light fading to spine front joint starting at head faint offsetting to endleaves. Light toning and light foxing to interior. $400. Only edition. "In this case" McDade writes "the social and civic pressure to make the poor girl an honest woman produced disastrous consequences. Getter held in jail on a charge of fornication and bastardy married Rebecca Lawall when given the choice of doing that or remaining in jail. Six weeks later saddled with a wife he did not want he choked her to death." Getter was the last person to be publicly executed in Pennsylvania; public execution was banned after a public outcry over the indifference of the vast crowd to Getter's hanging. OCLC locates 7 copies of this title in law libraries Harvard University of Missouri Yale Library of Congress University of Pennsylvania Worcester Trial Court Law Library Jenkins Law Library. McDade The Annals of Murder 335. unknown
1856ref. 784901856. Five titles in 1 book. Five titles in 1 book. Poisoning and Lunacy Trial. Palmer William 1824-1856 Defendant. Illustrated and Unabridged Edition of The Times Report of the Trial of William Palmer for Poisoning John Parsons Cook At Rugeley. From the Short-Hand Notes Taken in the Central Court from Day to Day. London: Ward and Lock 1856. 184 pp. With numerous woodcut illustrations and a folding frontispiece. Bound with Trial. Windham William Frederick b.1840 Defendant. The Great Lunacy Case of Mr. W.F. Windham. Reported by a Solicitor. London: H. Vickers 1862. 60 pp. 2 pp. publisher advertisements. And Richardson James. Studies from the Antique. Edinburgh: John Baxter 1862. 62 pp. And Runciman David 1803-1872. Marriage and Married Life; A Week Day Homily. Glasgow: Printed by Robert Anderson 1862. 32 pp. And Cooper James Fenimore 1789-1851. The Water Witch; Or The Skimmer of the Seas. A Tale. London: Published by J. Cunningham 1839. 136 pp. Together 5 titles in 1 volume. Octavo 8" x 5-1/2"; 20.3 x 14 cm trim size of Windham trial 7-1/2" x 5"/19 x 12.5 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlets bound in contemporary cloth gilt title to spine early manuscript table of contents to front endleaf. Light rubbing to extremities light fading to spine spine ends and corners bumped and lightly worn faint offsetting to endleaves hinges cracked. Light toning to interior a few mostly partial cracks to text block second item loosening very slightly but secure small spots and tiny faint stains to a few leaves folding frontispiece of first item reinforced at right edge not affecting image. $500. This volume contains accounts of two famous nineteenth-century trials. Palmer a first-rate sociopath was tried and convicted for the 1855 murder of his friend John Cook and executed in 1856. Also known as the Rugeley Poisoner or the Prince of Poisoners he was suspected of several other murders including four of his children killed before their first birthdays. The Windham trial was one of the most famous insanity trials of the time and an early example of the use of forensic psychiatry. Windham's uncle a distinguished soldier and M.P. alleged that his nephew was unfit to take possession of the estate. After weeks of testimony the court disagreed and Windham was found sane. The other titl. unknown
1676ref. 751371676. A Powerful Defense of Habeas Corpus Trial. Shaftesbury Anthony Ashley Cooper Earl of 1621-1683 Defendant. The Case of Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury; As it was Argued before His Majesties Justices of the Kings Bench Trin. Term. 29. Car. 2. Being Upon His Confinement in the Tower &c. With a Speech of this Worthy Earl Pleading His Own Case And the Liberty of the Subject. London: Printed by K.P. for C.R. 1679. 16 pp. Folio 12" x 7-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Light toning folio numbers to upper corners in an early hand upper corner of first leaf lacking with minor loss to "E" of "Case" negligible light foxing and soiling to a few pages. $500. Only edition. A founder of the Whig party and an important patron of John Locke Shaftesbury was a prominent English politician during the Interregnum and reign of King Charles II. He frequently clashed with the king and Tory leadership including in 1676 when he and allies argued that the current parliament was illegitimate and were subsequently sent to the Tower. When Shaftesbury's petition for release failed he brought a writ of habeas corpus. "In a very powerful argument he admitted the supreme judicature of the lords but denied their power to commit to indefinite imprisonment on a general warrant. The judges however said that they had no jurisdiction in the case and Shaftesbury was sent back to the Tower" DNB. Dictionary of National Biography accessed online. English Short-Title Catalogue R4010. unknown
1765ref. 752861765. Incest and Murder in Edinburgh Trial. Nairn Katharine Defendant. Ogilvie Patrick d.1765 Defendant. The Trial of Katharine Nairn and Patrick Ogilvie For the Crimes of Incest and Murder. Containing the Whole Procedure of the High Court of Judiciary Upon the 5th 12th 13th 14th 15th And 16th Days of August 1765. Edinburgh: Printed by Auld and Smellie 1765. 200 pp. Lacking final advertisement leaf. Octavo 8" x 4-1/2". Recent cloth gilt fillets and title to spine endpapers renewed. Light toning to interior occasional light soiling light foxing in a few places very faint dampstaining to bottom margin of pp. 13-26 clean tear to bottom of leaf K2 pp. 79-80 upper corner of leaf Aa2 pp. 191-192 lacking text not affected. Early ink corrections to pp. 51 and 137 early pencil annotations and corrections throughout. $500. One of two 1765 Edinburgh editions. In January 1765 19-year-old Katharine Nairn married 40 year-old Thomas Ogilvie. She soon fell in love with his younger brother Patrick. In June the same year Thomas Ogilvie died after a sudden illness. Katharine and Patrick were arrested and convicted of murder by poisoning. Patrick Ogilvie was hanged but Katharine's execution was delayed when she was found to be pregnant. Placed in a lower-security section of the prison she took an opportunity to escape and fled to France. She was never apprehended. This trial was the subject of a volume in the Notable British Trials series edited by William Roughead. An interesting feature of our copy is the extensive annotations and corrections in an early hand likely by the printer. This may have been done in preparation for another edition that does not appear to have come to pass. English Short-Title Catalogue T51693. unknown
1796ref. 752461796. With Interesting Commentary on Irish and English Morals Trial. Cavendish Bradshaw Augustus 1768-1832 Defendant. The Trial at Large on an Action for Damages Brought in His Majesty's Court of Exchequer Before the Right Hon. Lord Chief Baron Yelverton and a Jury of Citizens On Saturday the 20th of February 1796; By the Right Hon. George Fred. Earl of Westmeath Against the Honourable Augustus Cavendish Bradshaw For Adultery with the Right Hon. Mary Anne Countess of Westmeath; Containing the Whole of the Evidence With the Speeches of the Learned Counsel And the Charge of the Venerable Judge. On Which a Verdict was Found for 10000. To Which is Prefixed An Epistle Dedicatory to the Fashionable World. London: Re-Printed for Allen and West 1796. Octavo 7-3/4" x 4-3/4". xii 36 pp. Stab-stitched pamphlet disbound and resewn. Light toning light soiling to exterior and a few other pages small inkspots to fore-edge light foxing in a few places. $500. Only London edition reprinted from the first Dublin edition. Westmeath an Irish peer sought 20000 in damages after he caught his wife Maryanne carrying on an affair with Bradshaw during a period of separation. The jury awarded him 10000 though Bradshaw's relative poverty made the damages difficult to recover. The Westmeaths later divorced and Bradshaw and Maryanne married in 1796. An interesting feature of this account is the extensive editor's preface addressed "to the Right Honourable Right Fashionable Truly Liberal and Uncontroulable Amateurs of the Haut Ton." It discusses among other topics Irish assimilation into English culture and high society and the subsequent loosening of Irish morals. English Short-Title Catalogue T2981. unknown
1849ref. 755061849. London: W.M. Clark 1849. London: W.M. Clark 1849. The Murders at Stanfield Hall Trial. Rush James Blomfield d.1849 Defendant. A Full Report of the Trial of James Blomfield Rush for the Murder of Mr. Jermy and his Son Of Stanfield Hall In the County of Norfolk; Commencing on Wednesday March 28 And Concluded April 4 1849 At Norwich Assizes. London: Printed and Published by W.M. Clark 1849. 8 102 pp. Woodcut title page vignette and 4 unnumbered leaves of woodcut portraits and illustrations. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Contemporary three-quarter sheep over marbled boards rebacked with lettering piece to spine hinges mended. Light rubbing to boards moderate rubbing to board edges corners bumped and lightly worn. Moderate toning to interior light soiling in a few places a few mostly partial cracks in text block all leaves secure trimming affecting last line of text on p. 91 without loss to legibility. $125. Thirtieth stated edition one of several from the same year. Rush a delinquent tenant of Isaac Jermy and his son devised a plan to kill the two men their servant and the son's wife and blame the murders on rival claimants to the Jermy estate. He succeeded in killing the Jermys but failed to kill Mrs. Jermy and the servant who survived to identify him. Popularly known as the "murders at Stanfield Hall" the killings became a national sensation with a wax figure of Rush displayed prominently at Madame Tussauds. unknown
ref. B9781107060388Hardback. New. The Tokyo Trial was held from 1946-8 to try Japanese military and civil officials for war crimes committed during World War II. The trial proceedings were controversial at the time and remain an emotive subject. This collection of translated essays represents a distinctively Chinese approach to the interpretation of the trial. hardcover
1841ref. 757151841. The Times Testimonial. London 1841. Rare. The Times Testimonial. London 1841. Rare. Probably the Most Detailed Account of a Nineteenth-Century Financial Swindle Trial. Hughes W. Hughes Editor. "The Times" Testimonial: Report of the Trial of the Action Bogle Versus Lawson For a Libel Published in "The Times" London-Newspaper Tried at the Summer Assizes for the Country of Surrey Held at Croydon Monday August 16 1841 Before the Right Honourable Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal Knt. Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas And a Special Jury; Together with the Proceedings of a Public Meeting of Merchants Bankers and Others Held at the Mansion House London Friday October 1 1841 On the Subject of Such Action And of the Committee then Appointed; And Also a List of Subscribers to "The Times" Testimonial. Published by the Committee. London: John Hatchard and Son Henry Butterworth and Pelham Richardson 1841. 179 1 pp. Half-title lacking. Octavo 8-1/5" x 5-1/2". Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards later lettering piece to spine endpapers renewed. Light rubbing to boards moderate rubbing to extremities owner bookplate Geoffrey G. Briggs to front pastedown. Light browning to text light foxing to a few leaves. $750. First edition. A sensational case of a million-pound plot to defraud Continental bankers by forged letters of credit or lettres circulaires purporting to have been issued by the bankers Glyn Hallifax Mills & Co. The plot was exposed by a Times of London correspondent in a letter published on 26th May 1840. This case was important because it exposed the largely unregulated banking practices associated with letters of credit which were easy to forge and difficult to police. The naming of Allan George Bogle-who was almost certainly involved-triggered this libel action against John Joseph Lawson the printer and publisher of the Times and resulted in the award of one farthing damages for Bogle but enormous expense and the considerable gratitude of bankers and investors for the Times. The present report is probably the most detailed account of a major financial swindle of this period particularly one involving letters of credit. A second edition was published the same year as the first the third and final edition in 1842. Our first edition was owned by Sir Geoffrey Briggs 1914-1993 an English lawyer and. unknown
1765ref. 756271765. London: T. Becket and P.A. de Hondt 1765. London: T. Becket and P.A. de Hondt 1765. Incest and Murder in Edinburgh Trial. Nairn Katharine Defendant. Ogilvie Patrick d.1765 Defendant. The Trial of Katharine Nairn and Patrick Ogilvie For the Crimes of Incest and Murder. Containing the Whole Procedure of the High Court of Judiciary Upon the 5th 12th 13th 14th 15th And 16th Days of August 1765. Edinburgh Printed: London: Reprinted For T. Becket and P.A. de Hondt 1765. vii 134 pp. Octavo 7-1/2" x 4-1/2". Later library cloth gilt title and publication date to spine endpapers renewed. Light shelfwear later owner bookplate of Stoughton R. Vogel 1907-1966 to front pastedown. Moderate toning to interior page numbers affected in a few places by trimming faint stain to pp. 40-41 soiling to half-title "2" in early hand to heads of half-title and title pages manuscript table of contents in early hand to foot of p. 134. $650. Only London edition published the same year as the only Edinburgh edition. In January 1765 19-year-old Katharine Nairn married 40-year-old Thomas Ogilvie. She soon fell in love with his younger brother Patrick. In June the same year Thomas Ogilvie died after a sudden illness. Katharine and Patrick were arrested and convicted of murder by poisoning. Patrick Ogilvie was hanged but Katharine's execution was delayed when she was found to be pregnant. Placed in a lower-security section of the prison she took an opportunity to escape and fled to France. She was never apprehended. This case was the subject of a volume in the Notable British Trials series edited by William Roughead. Vogel was a Philadelphia physician and book collector traits reflected in the unique design of his bookplate. English Short-Title Catalogue T51693. unknown
1758ref. 756281758. The Aftermath of a British Naval Failure Trial. Mordaunt Sir John 1697-1780 Defendant. The Proceedings of a General Court-Martial Held in the Council-Chamber at Whitehall On Wednesday the 14th And Continued by Several Adjournments to Tuesday the 20th of December 1757 Upon the Trial of Lieutenant General Sir John Mordaunt By Virtue of His Majesty's Warrant Bearing Date the 3d Day of the Same Month. Published by Authority. London: Printed for A. Millar 1758. 116 pp. Octavo 8" x 5". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent cloth. Moderate toning to interior light soiling to title page. $350. One of two issues from 1758 priority not established. Mordaunt commanded the British expedition against the French Atlantic port of Rochefort in 1757. Deeming an attempt too risky he returned without landing infuriating William Pitt who wanted to satisfy the public with a bold stroke against the French. Despite Pitt's anger Mordaunt was acquitted. English Short-Title Catalogue T44504. unknown
1793ref. 759751793. The Trial of a "Scottish Martyr" Trial. Palmer Thomas Fyshe 1747-1802 Defendant. The Trial of the Rev. Thomas Fyshe Palmer Before the Circuit Court of Justiciary Held at Perth On the 12th and 13th September 1793 On an Indictment for Seditious Practices. Taken in Court by Mr. Ramsey An Eminent Short-Hand Writer from London. With an Appendix. Edinburgh: Printed for W. Skirving 1793. 195 1 pp. Lacking portrait frontispiece. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling and a few faint stains to exterior light foxing to a few leaves clean tear to leaf O3 pp. 109-110 affecting text without loss to legibility. $125. Only edition. Palmer an English minister and political reformer active in Scotland was convicted of sedition in 1793 for circulating a radical address to the public. Along with six other men referred to as the "Scottish Martyrs to Liberty" he was sentenced to seven years' transportation to Botany Bay. English Short-Title Catalogue T93757. unknown
1812ref. 759851812. The Only Successful Attempt on the Life of a British Prime Minister Trial. Bellingham John 1769-1812 Defendant. The Trial of John Bellingham For the Assassination of the Right Honourable Spencer Perceval First Lord of the Treasury Chancellor of the Exchequer &c. &c. &c. In the Lobby of the House of Commons On Monday the 11th May 1812. Taken in Short Hand By Mr. Fraser. To Which is Added An Account of Bellingham's Execution On Monday May 18. London: Printed for R. Mercer 1812. ii 108 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Moderate toning light soiling to exterior light foxing to title page and a few other leaves small chip to bottom-edge of final leaf. $500. Only edition. Bellingham was motivated by a baseless claim that the Crown owed him money as compensation for time he served in a Russian prison. He believed he was owed compensation because the government did not try to assist him. His murder of Perceval was the only successful attempt on the life of a British Prime Minister. OCLC locates 5 copies in North American law libraries Harvard LA County Social Law University of Pennsylvania York. Not in the British Museum Catalogue. unknown
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
1825ref. 742171825. A "Fatal Catastrophe" in Nottingham Trial. Dewey Thomas d.1825 Defendant. A Copious Report of the Trial of Thomas Dewey For the Wilful Murder of Maria Austin Before the Hon. James Allan Park Knt. On Monday July 25 1825 At the Town Hall Nottingham. To Which is Added Some Particulars of His Life Character Behaviour And Execution. Copied from the Nottingham Review With Some Additions. Nottingham: Printed and Sold by Sutton and Son Review Office 1825. 22 pp. 12mo. 6-3/4" x 3-3/4. Stab-stitched pamphlet resewn into recent plain wrappers recent white label with shelf mark to front wrapper. Moderate toning to interior library stamp to verso of title page several leaves trimmed close on right margin with no loss to text very light foxing to last few leaves small tear to fore-edge of title page not affecting text. $500. Only edition. Thomas Dewey stabbed Maria Austin a neighbor and acquaintance after a quarrel in which she told him not to order her children about. Dewey claimed insanity and several witnesses testified to this effect but the judge and jury disagreed. He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. Though it was unclear at trial whether a romantic connection between the two existed at the time of the murder the account appended to the trial in our work suggests that Dewey was a womanizer jealous of Austin's husband from whom she was estranged. It concludes with a poem titled "The Morning of Execution." OCLC locates 7 copies of this scarce title 3 in North America Harvard Law School Library of Congress University of Kansas. Library Hub locates no additional copies. unknown
1865ref. 741111865. Edinburgh 1865. Edinburgh 1865. The Last Public Hanging in Scotland Trial. Pritchard Edward William 1825-1865 Defendant. A Complete Report of the Trial of Dr. E.W. Pritchard for the Alleged Poisoning of His Wife and Mother-In-Law. Reprinted By Special Permission From the "Scotsman." Carefully Revised by an Eminent Lawyer. With an Accurate Portrait. Edinburgh: William Kay 1865. vii 135 pp. Portrait frontispiece. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into later cloth gilt title to spine. Moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners hinges starting moderate toning to interior. $100. Second and final edition. Pritchard was accused of poisoning his wife and several other females over a period of years. He was convicted of murdering his wife and mother-in-law and sentenced to be hanged. While awaiting execution he confessed to the murders. His execution was the last public hanging in Scotland and was witnessed by 100000 people. unknown
1825ref. 745381825. New York 1825. 16 pp. McDade 1020. Cohen 13136. New York 1825. 16 pp. McDade 1020. Cohen 13136. He Shot Her in the Back: : OCLC Locates 3 Copies in Law Libraries Trial. Van Patten John F. 1801-1825 Defendant. The Trial and Life and Confessions of John F. Van Patten Who was Indicted Tried And Convicted of the Murder of Mrs. Maria Schermerhorn On the 4th of October Last And Sentenced to be Executed on the 25th February 1825. New York: S.n. 1825. 16 pp. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/4"; 21.6 x 13.3 cm. Stab-stitched pamphlet in self wrappers woodcut execution vignette to front wrapper untrimmed edges. Moderate toning and dampspotting faint dampstaining to margins of a few leaves lower outside corner lacking from leaf containing pp. 5-6 text not affected ink smudge to p. 11 legibility not affected. A very good copy. $1250. Only edition. A chilling early American true crime narrative. The conflict began when Mrs. Maria Schermerhorn cautioned a local young woman against marrying John F. Van Patten prompting the girl's parents to forbid the courtship. Seeking revenge Van Patten borrowed a shotgun from a neighbor and visited Mrs. Schermerhorn at her home in Rotterdam New York. Under the pretense of needing wadding for his gun he waited until her back was turned as she ascended the stairs to fetch it and shot her dead McDade. This pamphlet is one of only three contemporary accounts published on the Van Patten case all of which are exceptionally scarce. OCLC locates 3 copies of our imprint in law libraries Harvard Library of Congress Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder 1020. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13136. unknown