190 résultats
1819647361819. Woodward William Henry. Woodward William Henry. First Report of the Landmark Dartmouth College Case Trial. Dartmouth College Case. Farrar Timothy 1788-1874 Reporter. Report of the Case of the Trustees of Dartmouth College Against William H. Woodward. Argued and Determined in the Superior Court of Judicature of the State of New-Hampshire November 1817. And on Error in the Supreme Court of the United States February 1819. Portsmouth N.H.: Published by John W. Forster And West Richardson And Lord Boston 1819. iv 406 pp. Octavo 9" x 5". Later nineteenth-century three-quarter calf over marbled boards. Moderate rubbing to extremities with wear to corners hinges cracked. Moderate toning and light foxing to text. Early owner signature and annotation to head of title page interior otherwise clean. Ex-library. Bookplate to front pastedown two small inkstamps to title page residue from card pocket to rear pastedown. A solid copy. $750. First published report. This is probably the most important American case concerning the contract right of corporations. The New Hampshire legislature passed a bill in 1816 that revoked Dartmouth College's original charter and converted the college from a private to a state institution. The college challenged the constitutionality of this act in the state Supreme Court without success but the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the state's decision in a landmark opinion based on the contract clause of the Constitution. This decision represented "an assurance for all investors in American corporate enterprises that the terms upon which they had committed their capital could not be unilaterally altered by a state. At a time when corporations were first being widely used it thus encouraged the expansion of American business enterprise. The decision vested the Corporation with indestructible contract rights even against its creator" Schwartz 86 111. "By construing the contract clause as a means of protecting corporate charters from state interventions Marshall derived a significant limitation on state authority. As a result various forms of private economic and social activity would enjoy security from state regulatory policy. Marshall thus encouraged through constitutional sanction the emergence of the relatively unregulated private autonomous economic actor as the major participant in a liberal political economy th. unknown books
1824699621824. London: Knight and Lacey Publishers 1824. London: Knight and Lacey Publishers 1824. One of the Last People Executed for Forgery in Great Britain Trial Fauntleroy Henry 1785-1824 Defendant. Egan Pierce 1772-1849 Reporter. Pierce Egan's Account of the Trial of Mr.Fauntleroy For Forgery At the Session's-House In the Old Bailey On Saturday The 30th of October 1824 Before Mr.Justice Park and Mr.Baron Garrow. London: Knight and Lacey Publishers 1824. 67 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling and edgewear moderate toning to text minor chips and tears to a few leaves early owner signature and "5" to head of title page. $750. Only edition. Fauntleroy was an English banker convicted of forgery. He admitted his guilt but pleaded that he forged documents in order to access funds to pay his firm's debts. Several bankers and merchants stepped forward to defend his integrity during the trial but he was sentenced to death. He appealed his case twice without success. Appeals for clemency followed but they were not successful. He was hanged in November 1824 one of the last people executed for forgery before it ceased to be a capital crime in 1836. British Museum Catalogue Compact Edition 9:70. unknown books
1741713141741. Fratricide on the HMS Ruby Trial. Goodere Sir Samuel 1687-1741 Principal Defendant. The Trials of Samuel Goodere Esq; Matthew Mahony And Charles White For the Murder of Sir John Dineley Goodere Bart. Brother to the Said Samuel Goodere On Board His Majesty's Ship the Ruby: At the Sessions of the Peace Oyer and Terminer And General Goal-Delivery Held in and for the City of Bristol And County of the Same City In the Guild-Hall of the Said City; Before the Right Worshipful Henry Combe Esq; Mayor of the Said City Michael Foster Esq; Serjeant at Law Recorder; And Others His Majesty's Justices of Goal-Delivery. Begun on Tuesday the 17th of March 1740. And Continued by Adjournment to Thursday The 26th of the Same Month 1741. Publish'd with the Approbation of Mr. Recorder. London: Printed by A. Millar Opposite to St. Clement's Church in the Strand et al. 1741. i 53 1 pp. Lacking initial advertisement leaf. Bookseller catalogue to verso of final leaf. Folio 12-1/2" x 8". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light soiling to exterior a bit of glue residue along spine light toning to interior light foxing to title page light foxing and a minor smudges to a few other leaves. $750. Only edition. The most complete account of this trial. Goodere was the captain of the HMS Ruby which was moored near Bristol England. Learning his brother Sir John Goodere was in that town Captain Goodere sent crew members to abduct him and bring him on board. Goodere confined him in a cabin and oversaw his murder which he claimed was a suicide. Shortly afterwards one of Sir John's friends in Bristol noticed that he had disappeared and asked the town's mayor to investigate the matter. This investigation resulted in the arrest trial and execution of Captain Goodere and his accomplices. OCLC locates 6 copies in North American law libraries Harvard Library of Congress Northwestern Social Law University of Memphis Yale. English Short-Title Catalogue T51718. unknown books
1778714871778. Oxford: Printed for W. Jackson. 1778. Oxford: Printed for W. Jackson. 1778. "For the Wilful Murder.Of His Own Father" Trial. Hitchcock Robert Defendant. The Trial at Large of Robert Hitchcock At the Lent Assizes Held at Oxford On the 4th Day of March 1778 Before Sir George Nares Knt. One of the Justices of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas For the Wilful Murder of Edward Hitchcock His Own Father. Taken in Short-Hand by W. Williamson Short-Hand Writer in London. Oxford: Printed for W. Jackson; and J. Bew London. Sold by R. Raikes Gloucester; and Mess. Carnan and Co. Reading 1778. 15 1 pp. Text in parallel columns. Quarto 8-1/2" x 6-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into recent cloth gilt title to spine. Margins trimmed just touching text at foot of title page light toning faint stains to a few leaves light soiling to title page. $750. Only edition. Robert Hitchcock was found guilty and hanged on March 9 1778. "After hanging upwards of half an hour he was cut down and carried in the same cart that attended his execution to the Anatomy School at Christ Church and there delivered for the use of anatomical lectures" 15. OCLC locates 6 copies 2 in North America Yale Law School York University Law School. English Short-Title Catalogue N66619. unknown books
1836636871836. Buenos Aires: Imprenta Argentina 1836. Buenos Aires: Imprenta Argentina 1836. Notable Fraud Case at an Important Argentinian Trading House Trial. Iturriaga Jose de Defendant. Cavallero Manuel. Respuesta a la Acusacion Formada por la Sindicatura de los Concursos de Lezica y Hornung Contra D. Jose Iturriaga. Buenos Aires: Imprenta Argentina 1836. iv 47 pp. Bound with Iturriaga Jose de. Breve Contestacion al Libelo Publicado por Manuel Sainz de la Maza. Buenos Aires: Imprenta Argentina 1836. 8 pp. And O. G. Manifesto en Derecho a Favor de Jose de Iturriaga Acusado de Ocultacion de Unos Ganados y de Complicidad en la Falsificacion de su Firma Ejecutada por Federico Hornung. Buenos Aires: Imprenta Argentina 1836. 83 pp. Contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards gilt ornaments and title reading Causa de Iturriaga to spine. Rubbing to extremities with heavy wear to corners chipping to head of spine hinges starting owner bookplate to front pastedown. Manuscript divisional title pages between items. Moderate toning and occasional foxing to text internally clean. Ex-library. Location label to spine small inkstamps to title page of Respuesta brief annotations to verso. Solid copies of three rare items. $750. Only editions. These items relate to a trial that followed the collapse of a notable Argentinian trading house. "Corruption or mismanagement by employees or partners of non-British houses frequently made news during the century. One of the more celebrated cases was the failure of Sebastian Lezica Brothers in September 1835. The manager of the house a German named Frederick Hornung apparently forged bills of exchange without the knowledge of his employers three Argentine brothers. After the failure of a British house Thwaites and Company and after the retention of money in the Chilean branch the Lezica Brothers had to raise money. Originally Hartung procured the signatures of a number of people including Thwaites; but when persons declined he began to forge names on bills of exchange--both the drawer's and drawee's names--in order to prevent bankruptcy. He thought this would need to be done for only a short time but he became involved until the total sum owed the market was over one and a half million pesos." Reber. OCLC locates 1 copy of Respuesta at UC-Berkeley 1 copy of Breve Contestacion at the. unknown books
1857716411857. Boston: Federhen & Company 1857. Boston: Federhen & Company 1857. An Accused Adulterer Defended by Richard Henry Dana Trial. Kalloch Isaac Smith 1831-1887 Defendant. Only Full Report of the Trial of Rev. I.S. Kalloch on Charge of Adultery: Complete History of the Affair Doings of the Church Kalloch's Pulpit Defence Arrest Arraignment Trial And Result. With Accurate Portraits of Kalloch and the Beautiful Lady in Black And the Lecture Room of the Lechmere. Boston: Federhen & Company 1857. 64 pp. Woodcut pictorial title page. Two woodcut text illustrations. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in pictorial self-wrappers bound into recent quarter calf over marbled boards. Moderate toning and dampstaining to text repairs to edges of first and final leaves. $750. Only edition. "Isaac Smith Kalloch accused of adultery in this prosecution was a Baptist clergyman and was supported by the trustees of his church throughout this affair. . The jury could not reach a verdict in the case which was tried in the Massachusetts Court of Common Pleas Criminal Session in Cambridge Massachusetts" Cohen. Kalloch was defended by the eminent lawyer and politician Richard Henry Dana Jr. 1815-1882. The trial resulted in a hung jury. Kalloch later moved to San Francisco and became that city's mayor in 1879. The Full Report includes the judge's charge but not the jury's final verdict. Kalloch was acquitted. He moved to San Francisco where he continued to generate controversy by skirting the bounds of decency. When he decided to run for mayor of San Francisco in 1879 he came under attack from the San Francisco Chronicle's editor-in-chief Charles de Young who was backing another candidate. DeYoung hoping to end Kalloch's campaign accused the minister of having an affair. Kalloch responded by claiming that De Young's mother ran a brothel. In response DeYoung ambushed Kalloch on a street and shot him twice. Kalloch survived the wounds. Due in part to the sympathy of voters he was elected the 18th Mayor of San Francisco. OCLC locates 7 copies in North American law libraries Brigham Young University Harvard LA County Social Law Library of Congress University of Cincinnati University of Minnesota. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 13700. unknown books
1705711441705. London: no publisher 1705. Macclesfield copy. London: no publisher 1705. Macclesfield copy. Contemporary Report of a Fundamental Case in English Constitutional and Tort Law Regarding the Right to Vote Trial. Needham Culverwell b.1656 Reporter. Ashby Matthew Plaintiff. White William Defendant. Ashby and White: Or The Great Question Whether an Action Lies at Common Law for an Elector Who Is Deny'd His Vote for Members of Parliament Debated and Resolv'd. Together with the Case of Jay and Topham: And the Defence Made by Sir Francis Pemberton and Sir Thomas Jones for Their Judgment Given Therein: With Other Cases. London: S.n. 1705. ii 257 3 pp. Final page blank. Octavo 7-3/4" x 4-1/2". Contemporary sheep blind panels to boards raised bands to spine. Some scuffing to boards moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners joints just starting at ends hinges cracked armorial bookplate of the Earls of Macclesfield to front pastedown small embossed Macclesfield device to title page. Moderate toning faint dampspotting in a few places a few brief annotations to index initials in small early hand to foot of title page lower corner lacking from final index leaf below text. An appealing copy. $750. Only edition. Also known as the Aylesbury Election Case Ashby v. White is a fundamental case in English constitutional and tort law. Ashby was prevented from casting a vote in an Aylesbury election by White a constable who claimed Ashby was not an established resident of that town. The case was decided in Parliament in Ashby's favor and it established the following rule: the actions of one party may not hinder the rights of another. The present copy once belonged to the library of Shirbirn Castle the library of the Earls of Macclesfield one of the finest private libraries in Great Britain. English Short-Title Catalogue T84969. unknown books
1857694951857. New York: John F. Trow 1857. New York: John F. Trow 1857. Testimony of the Seven Medical Experts in a Notable Nineteenth-Century Will Case Involving Questions of Sanity Trial. Parish Will Case. The Parish Will Case Before the Surrogate of the City of New York. Medical Opinions upon the Medical Competency of Mr. Parish by John Watson M.D. D.T. Brown M.D. M.H. Ranney M.D. Pliny Earle M.D. Luther V. Bell M.D. LL.D. M.H. Ranney M.D. I. Ray M.D. Sir Henry Holland Bart. M.D. F.R.S. New York: John F. Trow 1857. iii 573 pp. Each section preceded by divisional title page. Octavo 9-1/2" x 6-1/4". Contemporary three-quarter morocco over marbled boards gilt-ruled raised bands and gilt title to spine speckled edges. Some rubbing to boards and extremities moderate toning to text light foxing to a few leaves. A well-preserved copy. $750. First edition. Henry Parish a New York merchant died in 1856 at age 69 having left a will made in 1842 and amended with three codicils signed by him some time after suffering a paralyzing stroke in 1849. Later editions were issued in 1858 and 1860. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 11386. unknown books
1857694811857. A Notable Nineteenth-Century Will Case Involving Codicils and Questions of Sanity Trial. Parish Will Case. Bell Luther V. 1806-1862. Medical Opinion in the Parish Will Case. New York: John F. Trow 1857. 69 pp. Octavo 9-1/4" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Light soiling to exterior wear to spine ends and corners some chipping and edgewear to wrappers which are partially detached at ends dampstaining to wrappers and text block moderate toning lower corners lacking from first three leaves with no loss to text corners of some other leaves chipped or dog-eared early owner signature "Wm Bouvier" of "Bonner" to front wrapper and half-title. $750. Only edition. Henry Parish a New York merchant died in 1856 at age 69. He left a will made in 1842 that had been amended with three codicils signed by him some time after suffering a paralyzing stroke in 1849. These codicils were contested on the grounds of mental impairment. This trial attracted a good deal of attention and it involved testimony by several leading medical and legal experts. At time of this pamphlet's publication Bell was president of the Massachusetts Medical Society and a former superintendent of the McLean Asylum for the Insane near Boston. Not in Cohen which lists a composite volume by Trow containing this title. See Bibliography of Early American Law 11386. unknown books
1857694831857. Expert Testimony in a Notable Nineteenth-Century Will Case Involving Codicils and Questions of Sanity Trial. Parish Will Case. Porter John K 1819-1892. Parish Will Case. Argument of John K. Porter In Behalf of the Respondents in the Court of Appeals of the State of New York January 10 1862. Albany: Comstock & Cassidy 1862. 98 pp. Octavo 8-3/4" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers front wrapper detached. Light soiling and moderately edgewear to wrappers moderate wear to spine ends moderate toning to text corners of some leaves dog-eared. $750. Only edition. Henry Parish a New York merchant died in 1856 at age 69. He left a will made in 1842 that had been amended with three codicils signed by him some time after suffering a paralyzing stroke in 1849. These codicils were contested on the grounds of mental impairment. This trial attracted a good deal of attention and it involved testimony by several leading medical and legal experts. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1159. unknown books
1813687491813. New York: Printed by Edward Gillespy 1813. New York: Printed by Edward Gillespy 1813. Landmark Case Concerning the Confessional and the Court Trial. Phillips Daniel Defendant. Sampson William 1764-1836 Reporter. The Catholic Question in America: Whether a Roman Catholic Clergyman be in Any Case Compellable to Disclose the Secrets of Auricular Confession. Decided at the Court of General Sessions In the City of New York. Present The Honorable DeWitt Clinton Mayor. The Honorable Josiah Ogden Hoffman Recorder. Richard Cunningham Isaac S. Douglass Esqrs. Sitting Aldermen. With the Arguments of Counsel And the Unanimous Opinion of the Court Delivered by the Mayor With His Reasons in Support of that Opinion. New York: Printed by Edward Gillespy 1813. 138 cxxviii 1 pp. Lacking final errata leaf supplied in facsimile. Octavo 9" x 6". Recent quarter calf over cloth raised bands and lettering piece to spine endpapers renewed extra calf lettering piece tipped-in to rear pastedown. Light browning to text faint dampspotting in places some edgewear to final leaves of text early owner signature Thos. E. Worthington 1813 to head of title page. $750. Only edition. This landmark decision established the legal precedent exempting Catholic priests from disclosing evidence relating to criminal activities learned through the Sacrament of Confession. "The case against Daniel Phillips for receiving stolen property hung on the prosecution's attempt to extract testimony from Anthony Kohlmann a Catholic priest who may have heard Phillips's confession. The extensive 'Report' p. 5-114 gives a good general account of confidential conversation between defendants and religious leaders doctors lawyers spouses and other persons. Although the district attorney claimed to be reluctant to pursue the matter Catholic authorities had asked that the question be settled before the court. The court recognized the inviolability of the confessional and Phillips was acquitted due to lack of evidence.": Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 14043. unknown books
1868670231868. Richmond 1868. McDade 747. Richmond 1868. McDade 747. A Scarce McDade Item Trial. Phillips James Jeter Defendant. The Drinker's Farm Tragedy. Trial and Conviction of James Jeter Phillips For the Murder of His Wife. With Portraits. Richmond: Published by J. Wall Turner V.L. Fore Printer 1868. 96 pp. 2 full- page woodcut portraits of Phillips and his wife Mrs. Mary Emma Phillips. Octavo 7-1/2" x 4-1/2". Original printed wrappers with advertisements for various Richmond businesses rear and inside front covers. Some soiling spotting and rubbing with wear to spine ends. Light toning to interior somewhat heavier in places light foxing to a few leaves. $750. Only edition. "Phillips a scion of a 'good' Virginia family twenty-four years old murdered his wife Emily who was ten years older on a Henrico County Virginia roadside near Drinker's farm. He shot her with a small pistol and her body was unidentified for three months" McDade. OCLC locates 4 copies in North American law libraries Duke Harvard University of Virginia Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder 747. unknown books
1864718321864. New-York J.W. Amerman printer 1864. New-York J.W. Amerman printer 1864. Interesting Civil War Prize Case Concerning an English Blockade Runner Trial. Steamer Peterhoff. Betts Samuel R. 1786-1868. Marvin William 1808-1902. The United States vs. The Steamer Peterhoff and Her Cargo. In Prize. Opinion of the Court By Judge Betts. With an Appendix Containing the Opinions of Judge Marvin In the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Florida In the Cases of the Dolphin and the Pearl. New York: John W. Amerman Printer 1864. 116 pp. Octavo 9" x 6". Stab-stitched pamphlet wrappers lacking bound into recent calf-stamped cloth printed paper title label to spine. Light wear to corners of text block moderate toning to text light soiling and some edgewear to title page. $750. Only edition. At head of title page: District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. The Peterhoff was a English blockade runner that was boarded and seized by the U.S. Navy in the harbor of St. Thomas then a Danish possession. Brought to Key West she was later condemned by the New York prize court and sold to the U.S. Navy which refitted it as a patrol ship. The international dispute over the legality of the seizure delayed her service for almost a year. After the Civil War the Supreme Court overturned the prize court's decision and the U.S. Government was compelled to compensate the Peterhoff's owners for their loss. OCLC locates 14 copies 11 in North America 3 in law libraries Columbia Harvard Library of Congress. Sabin A Dictionary of Books Relating to America 61179. unknown books
1794688001794. taken in short-hand by Joseph Gurney. taken in short-hand by Joseph Gurney. Treason Trial of a Notable Manchester Cotton Merchant and Political Radical Trial. Walker Thomas 1749-1817 Principal Defendant. Gurney Joseph 1744-1815 Reporter. The Whole Proceedings on the Trial of an Indictment Against Thomas Walker of Manchester Merchant William Paul Samuel Jackson James Cheetham Oliver Pearsall Benjamin Booth And Joseph Collier; For a Conspiracy to Overthrow the Constitution and Government And to Aid and Assist the French Being the King's Enemies in Case they Should Invade this Kingdom. Tried at the Assizes at Lancaster April 2 1794 Before the Hon. Mr. Justice Heath One of the Judges of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas. Taken in Short-Hand by Joseph Gurney. Manchester: Printed for T. Boden 1794. xvi 134 2 pp. With a half-title and errata leaf. Octavo 7-3/4" x 4-3/4". Later library cloth calf lettering piece to spine. Light soiling and shelfwear light chipping to edges of lettering piece. Moderate toning to text somewhat heavier in places light foxing to a few leaves library stamp to title page library mark in pencil to verso. $750. Only edition. A cotton merchant by trade Walker was a well-connected radical and social reformer. His circle of friends and acquaintances included Thomas Paine Charles James Fox Josiah Wedgwood Joseph Priestley and John Horne Tooke. He and his friends aroused suspicion during the anti-radical hysteria in Great Britain that followed the outbreak of the French Revolution. That was the basis of the treason trial of Walker and several of his associates. The defence was conducted by Thomas Erskine. The trial showed that the evidence was perjured so the charge was abandoned. English Short-Title Catalogue T81558. unknown books
1834708961834. New York: Printed by James Van Norden 1834. New York: Printed by James Van Norden 1834. The First U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Copyright Trial. Wheaton et al v. Peters et al. Report of the Copy-Right Case of Wheaton v. Peters. Decided in the Supreme Court of the United States. With an Appendix Containing the Acts of Congress Relating to Copy-Right. New York: Printed by James Van Norden 1834. 176 pp. Errata sheet tipped-in between pp. 136 and 137. Octavo 9-3/4" x 6-1/4". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces and paper location label to spine endpapers renewed hinges reinforced with cloth. Light soiling a few chips to lettering pieces crack in text block between front endleaf and title page. Moderate toning light foxing to a few leaves faint library stamps one embossed to title page library markings to verso. $750. First and only edition one of two issues from 1834 the other published in Washington DC. In this case the first U.S. Supreme court ruling on copyright Henry Wheaton former reporter of the Supreme Court sued Richard Peters then the current reporter for copyright infringement based on Peters's inclusion in his publication Condensed Reports of decisions originally reported by Wheaton. The decision of the court stated: "It may be proper to remark that the Court is unanimously of opinion that no reporter has or can have any copyright in the written opinions delivered by this Court and that the judges thereof cannot confer on any reporter any such right." Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 11538. unknown books
1852641061852. Vannoud Louis; Cavallari Luigi. Vannoud Louis; Cavallari Luigi. A Sensational Case of Kidnapping Trial. Wikoff Henry 1813-1884 Principal Defendant. Vannoud Louis Defendant. Cavallari Luigi Defendant. Trial of Wikoff Vannoud And Cavallari For a Forced Marriage Between Miss Gamble and One of the Accused. Before the High Court of Genoa February 9-10 1852. London: William Shoberl 1852. 64 pp. Lithograph portrait frontispiece of Wikoff. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Moderate soiling rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners. Light toning to text foxing to a few laves internally clean. $750. Only edition. An account of one of the sensational trials of the early 1850s. Wikoff or as he called himself Chevalier Wikoff was an American impresario occasional European correspondent for the New York Herald and possibly a spy for Lord Palmerston. He was engaged to Jane Catherine Gamble an English woman. Gamble changed her mind shortly before the wedding and fled to Genoa. Wikoff tracked her down and apparently tricked her into coming along with him to his apartment. Shortly afterwards Gamble filed a complaint of kidnapping that landed Wikoff in an Italian jail for 15 months. He was found guilty in an Italian court and forced to return her letters and "extorted promise of marriage." Ever enterprising Wikoff responded to the negative publicity with a memoir entitled My Courtship and Its Consequences 1855 which became a best-seller. Copies of The Trial of Wikoff are scarce. OCLC locates 7 worldwide: 2 in the British Library and 5 in North American law libraries Harvard Library of Congress University of Georgia University of Minnesota University of Pennsylvania. unknown books
1813695001813. London: J. Fairburn 1813. 24 pp. London: J. Fairburn 1813. 24 pp. "A Figure with the Body Feet And Tail of a Rat With the Head and Face of a Man Resembling the Plaintiff" Trial. Wood William Defendant. St. Luke's Parish Malt!!! Fairburn's Edition of the Trial Between Doctor Smith and Mr. Wm. Wood: For a Malicious and Scandalous Libel Against the Said Doctor Smith Contained in a Print Or Picture Commonly Called a Caricature!! Intitled "The Inside of a Newly-Reformed Workhouse with All Abuses Removed": In Which Caricature was Depicted 4 Sacks of Parish Malt and a Figure with the Body Feet And Tail of a Rat With the Head and Face of a Man Resembling the Plaintiff Nibbling at Them: Also a Figure of a Women in Breeches Pulling the Rat by the Tail Intended to Represent the Plaintiff's Wife: With the Defendant Charging the Vestry-Clerk with Receiving 45 for Bastardy of an Adjoining Parish who with Satan at his Elbow Prompting Him to Tell a Good Fat Lie Denies the Charge &c.: Including the Evidence at Full Length Taken in Short Hand. Which was Tried in the Court of King's Bench Guildhall On Wednesday January 20 1813 Before Lord Ellenborough And a Special Jury. London: Published by John Fairburn 1813. 24 pp. Octavo 8" x 5-1/4". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet. Light browning and foxing moderate edgewear final few leaves partially detached negligible light soiling to exterior "5" in early hand to head of front wrapper. A rare title. $750. First and only edition. "This was an action brought by John Smith a surgeon and apothecary . against William Wood a boot and shoe maker . in the same parish; to recover a compensation in damages for publishing a gross scandalous and malicious libel in the form of a caricature picture or print . tending to injure and defame the character of the plaintiff.-The damages were laid at one thousand pounds" pp. 3-4. The court found for the defendant. OCLC locates 1 copy Cornell University. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909 II:1191. unknown books
1827684181827. Dudley 1827. McCoy Freedom of the Press. Dudley 1827. McCoy Freedom of the Press. A Draper is Charged with Seditious Libel for Displaying a Strike Notice in His Shop Window Trial. Cook Samuel 1786-1861 Defendant. A Full Report of the Trial of Samuel Cook Draper Dudley For an Alleged Seditious Libel Tried at Worcester Aug. 1 1827 Before Mr. Justice Littledale. Taken in Short Hand by an Eminent Writer. Dudley Worcester: Sold by S. Cook Draper 1827. ii 72 pp. Octavo 8-1/4" x 5-1/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet bound into period-style quarter morocco over marbled boards gilt titles and ornaments to spine endpapers renewed. Light toning to text somewhat heavier in places "4" in early hand to head of title page. $850. Only edition. Cook a linen draper and political radical was found guilty of displaying in his shop window a handbill promoting a nailers' strike that accused government ministers of contributing to the starvation of the people. However his punishment was light being bound over for the sum 200 to receive sentence "when called upon." This pamphlet was published by Cook to raise money for his legal expenses. A note at the foot of p. 72 is an appeal for additional financial assistance: "S. Cook will be happy to receive and Subscriptions towards his late expenses and towards such subsequent proceedings as may be deemed requisite." OCLC locates 4 copies 2 in North America Duke Southern Illinois University. McCoy Freedom of the Press Supplement IC318. unknown books
1808684481808. London 1808. Very Scarce/Rare. London 1808. Very Scarce/Rare. A Very Scarce 1808 English Libel Case Relating to One of Wellington's Generals Trial. Draper Edward Alured 1776-1841 Defendant. The Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Alured Draper Of the Third Regiment of Foot Guards In the Court of King's Bench On Monday The 29th of June 1807 Before the Right Hon. Lord Ellenborough and a Special Jury For a Libel Against the Right Hon. John Sullivan. Taken in Short Hand by Mr. Adams. London: Printed by D. Jaques 1808. vii 179 pp. Octavo 8-5/8" x 5-3/8". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces and a bit of residue from paper location label to spine. Light soiling corners bumped light fading to spine. Moderate toning to text "110442" in early hand to verso of half-title two faint library stamps to title page. $850. Only edition. Draper was charged with libel for distributing a statement against a witness in a trial against his superior officer General Sir Thomas Picton. A distinguished but controversial general Picton was accused of using torture while serving as the military governor of Trinidad charges that were dismissed. Draper claimed that Sullivan a colonial official lied under oath. Draper lost his case and served a three-month sentence but went on to have a distinguished career as an officer and civil servant in Mauritius. OCLC locates 2 copies worldwide Social Law and Yale University. Not in COPAC or the Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School 1909. unknown books
1879668961879. New Haven 1879. Only edition. New Haven 1879. Only edition. "The Most Mysterious of All the Cases Which have Baptized Connecticut in Blood" Trial. Hayden Herbert H. b.1850 Defendant. Stannard Mary 1856-1878. Poor Mary Stannard! Full and Thrilling Story of the Circumstances Connected with Her Murder. History of the Monstrous Madison Crime. The Most Mysterious of All the Cases Which have Baptized Connecticut in Blood. The Only True and Reliable Account. The Clairvoyant's Wonderful Story. New Haven: Stafford Print. Co. 1879. 47 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers with a woodcut portrait of Stannard. Faint fold lines some wear to spine ends a few small chips to edges small dampstain to upper corner of front wrapper some browning to text. A well-preserved copy. $850. Only edition. "In 1879 the body of Mary Stannard twenty-two once the servant of Reverend Herbert H. Hayden was found in one of Hayden's fields in Madison Conn. Her throat was cut her skull was fractured and there was arsenic in her stomach. Stannard had spoken to several people about her recent pregnancy by Hayden and explained that he was going to give her something to induce an abortion. She said also that she was planning to meet Hayden in the field to pick berries and discuss their future. Unable to account for himself during the time of the killing Hayden was arrested after it was discovered that he had purchased an ounce of arsenic "to kill rats" the day of his former servant's death. At the three-month trial a clairvoyant testified to the defendant's innocence the first such incident in an American courtroom. A hung jury resulted in Hayden's release" Nash. OCLC locates 12 copies 2 in law libraries University of Missouri Yale. Nash Encyclopedia of World Crime 1493. McDade The Annals of Murder 449. unknown books
1878714661878. Philadelphia: Barclay & Co. 1878. Philadelphia: Barclay & Co. 1878. An Axe-Murder in Camden NJ: McDade 494 Trial. Hunter Benjamin F. d. 1879 Defendant. Hunter-Armstrong Tragedy. The Great Trial. Conviction of Benj. F. Hunter for the Murder of John M. Armstrong. Philadelphia: Barclay & Company 1878. ii 19-86 pp. Main text in parallel columns. 7 full-page woodcuts. Octavo 9-1/2" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in pictorial wrappers cover title reads in part: The Life Trial and Execution of Benjamin F. Hunter. Light soiling moderate edgewear and a few chips and tears to edges of wrappers which are beginning to detach at foot of spine. Moderate toning to text faint dampstaining to a few leaves. $850. First edition one of five issues. "Hunter had lost $7000 when he invested in Armstrong's music-publishing company. Thinking to turn his loss into a profit he insured Armstrong's life $25000. With a hired assistant Tom Graham he enticed Armstrong to Camden New Jersey and there bashed his head in with an axe which he had carefully marked with the initials of another man to throw suspicion on him. Though he remained unconscious Armstrong survived and Hunter calling at his home hastened his death by tearing the bandages from his head. Graham confessed and hunter was convicted and hanged and he was actually hanged by hand" McDade. Other issues of this pamphlet have different cover titles and paginations. All are scarce. OCLC locates 7 copies of our 86-page issue 1 in a law library University of Missouri. McDade The Annals of Murder 494. unknown books
1814684711814. London 1814. London 1814. The Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814 Trial. Random Charles Baron de Berenger Principal Defendant. Dundonald Thomas Cochrane Earl of 1775-1860 Principal Defendant. Gurney William Brodie 1777-1855 Reporter. The Trial of Charles Random de Berenger Sir Thomas Cochrane Commonly called Lord Cochrane The Hon. Andrew Cochrane Johnstone Richard Gathorne Butt Ralph Sandom Alexander M'Rae John Peter Holloway And Henry Lyte; For a Conspiracy In the Court of King's Bench Guildhall On Wednesday the 8th And Thursday the 9th of June 1814: With the Subsequent Proceedings in the Court of King's Bench; Taken in Short Hand. London: Sold by J. Butterworth and Son 1814. 604 4 pp. Folding table. Includes four-page publisher catalogue. Octavo 8-1/2" x 5-3/8". Later library cloth red and black calf lettering pieces to spine. Light shelfwear and some soiling. Light browning and foxing to text early owner signature Joseph Tate and faint library stamp to title page a few library annotations to verso another owner signature "Wm Green. 1843" at head of main text brief early annotations in a few places. $850. Only edition. Gurney's is the most detailed account of one of the greatest English fraud cases of the nineteenth century. In 1814 Berenger a Prussian aristocrat posing as an aide to Britain's ambassador to Russia announced that Napoleon had been killed by Russian Cossacks. This news caused stock prices to rise. After discovering that Berenger's news was a hoax which caused prices to drop investigators discovered that six men had profited substantially from the false information. All were alleged to have been conspirators with Berenger. One of these men was Cochrane a Member of Parliament an admiral and one of the greatest naval heroes of the Napoleonic Wars. The case against him was weak and circumstantial but he was to the surprise of many convicted sentenced to 12 months in prison fined 1000. and ordered to stand in the pillory opposite the Royal Exchange for one hour. In subsequent weeks he was dismissed from the Royal Navy and expelled from Parliament. On the orders of the Prince Regent Cochrane was humiliated by the loss of his appointment Knight of the Order of the Bath. A month later however Cochrane was re-elected unopposed and following a public outcry his sentence to th. unknown books
1821718241821. Salem Mass.: Published by T.C. Cushing 1821. Salem Mass.: Published by T.C. Cushing 1821. Trial and Execution of a Teen-Age Arsonist in Salem Massachusetts Trial. Clark Stephen Merrill 1804-1821 Defendant. Account of the Short Life and Ignominious Death of Stephen Merrill Clark Who was Executed at Salem on Thursday the Tenth Day of May 1821 at the Early Age of 16 Years and 9 Months For the Crime of Arson. Salem: Published by T.C. Cushing 1821. 16 pp. Octavo 9-1/4" x 5-3/4". Stab-stitched pamphlet in self-wrappers untrimmed edges. Light browning and faint dampstaining small early bookseller description affixed to verso of title page. $950. Only edition. In 1820 Clark burned down a stable and an adjacent building. There was no loss of life but he was tried for a capital crime found guilty and sentenced to death. The jury recommended commutation to no avail. He was sixteen years of age when he committed the crime seventeen when executed. His case helped to advance a successful movement to reduce the number of capital crimes. By 1852 murder was the only capital offense. OCLC locates 13 copies 3 in law libraries Harvard Social Law Yale. Cohen Bibliography of Early American Law 12137. unknown books
1844712921844. Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson 1844. Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson 1844. He Tried to Make the Murder Look Like a Suicide Trial. Comings William F. Defendant. Report of the Trial of William F. Comings: On an Indictment for the Murder of His Wife Mrs. Adeline T. Comings. At the September Term of the Court of Common Pleas Holden at Haverhill In the County of Grafton N.H. A.D. 1843. Together with His Life Written by Himself. Boston: Samuel N. Dickinson 1844. 158 pp. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Light soiling and a few minor marks to wrappers light wear to spine ends and corners rear joint and adjacent signature just starting to detach at foot some loss to foot of fore-edge of rear half of text block with no loss to text. Light toning to text somewhat heavier in places occasional light foxing. $950. Only edition. "He was convicted of strangling his wife at Bath N.H. with a handkerchief and suspending her from a bedpost to make it appear to be suicide" McDade. OCLC locates 5 copies in law libraries Library of Congress New York University Social Law Library University of Missouri Yale. McDade The Annals of Murder 208. unknown books
1845718911845. He Poisoned His Wife with Arsenic Trial. Green Henry G. Defendant. Trial of Henry G. Green For the Murder of His Wife. New York: Printed for the Publisher 1845. 32 pp. Text to p. 22 in parallel columns. Octavo 9" x 5-1/2". Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet woodcut portrait frontispiece of Green to title page. Moderate toning and light foxing corners of a few leaves dog-eared lower right corner lacking from final leaf of text with minor loss. $950. Only edition. "Green twenty-two years old met his wife Mary Ann Wyatt eighteen years old during some Temperance lectures. They had been married less than a week when he poisoned her with arsenic at Berlin New York. The crime seems to have been induced by his mother's disapproval of his wife" McDade annotation to 384. Our New York imprint appears to be based on a 48-page account published in Troy NY. OCLC locates 6 copies 2 in law libraries Harvard University of Pennsylvania. McDade The Annals of Murder 389. unknown books
