William Blackstone. Commentaries on the Laws of England. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1768.

Price: US$1539.92 + shipping

Condition: Good

Description: The third edition of the first two volumes only of William Blackstone's definitive treatise on the common law of England in the eighteenth century. Originally published in four volumes between 1765 and 1770, this is the third edition of the first two volumes, published in the same year as the first edition of the latter two volumes.Volume II illustrated with the plate 'Table of Consanguinity', and the folding plate 'Table of Descents'. Collated, complete.The two volumes present here cover 'The Rights of Persons' and 'The Rights of Things'.Volume I ESTC Citation No. T57756; volume II ESTC Citation No. T134552, with catchword 'another' to page three.With the inscription of James A. Baron, 1874, to each title page.Blackstone's work was long regarded as the leading work on the development of English law, and played a role in the development of the American legal system. They were in fact the first methodical treatise on the common law suitable for a lay readership since at least the Middle Ages, making common law understandable to those outside the legal profession. In full calf bindings. Lacking all four spine labels. Small losses of leather to back strip head and tail. Heads and tails of each joint starting, with boards holding firm. Internally, firmly bound. Light spotting to first few leaves, with pages generally clean and bright. Good

Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom

Willaim Blackstone, Esq.. Commentaries on the Laws of England, four volumes. Clarendon Press, 1768.

Price: US$8500.00 + shipping

Condition: Good

Description: All volumes have original leather covered boards in varying states and conditions. Labels, two on the spine of each volume, are in generally good condition. Remnants of gold trim appear along the cover edges of each volume as well. Each has a stamp, Clermont below a coat of arms with a lion and shield, and a crown above on the title page. [I have been unable to identify the arms or pinpoint the name other than the locality and hotel around London]. Each volume, inside its front cover, has a book plate of Sir Francis L. H. Goodriche, Baronet, with his coat of arms. A land owner and member of Parliament in the early 1830s. Volume I: The Third Edition, 1768. 485 pages. Original leather covered boards with heavy wear along the edges and scuffs. Spine with intricate gold design and titles. Original red and black labels, amid five raised bands. All text pages appear to be clean and bright with little foxing. Front hinge cracked. Volume II: The Third Edition, 1768. 520 pages with appendix. Table of Consanguinity and Table of Descents are present. These tables are often missing from this volume. Moderate insect damage lower corner next to the spine continues from front to back. Does not affect the text. Volume III: First Edition, 1768. 455 pages with appendix. Binding is strong with stable, sturdy hinges. Original leather covers have moderate to heavy wear on the edges. Labels on the spine, and gold design in good condition. Volume IV: First Edition, 1769. 436 pages with appendix and Index to all four volumes. Covers display heavy to moderate wear along the edges. Binding is strong and sturdy, hinges in very good condition. Again, text unmarked.

Seller: Shenandoah Books, Afton, VA, U.S.A.