A Booke of Presidents

£1,850 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

An early edition of this comprehensive collection of legal precedents in English compiled by the Lincoln's Inn barrister and physician Thomas Phayer [Phaer] (d.1560). A successor to Littleton's Tenures, Phayer's work appeared at a time when legal documentation was becoming more uniform. The result was a 'comprehensive collection of all manner of documents, including... conveyances, bills and answers in Chancery, letters of safe conduct, and letters of testimony' (Holdsworth, A History of English Law, vol. 5, p.389). The work proved very popular, with twenty-seven editions published up to the year 1656. 8vo (19.5 x 13.5 cm); text in English and Latin, bookplate to front pastedown, dated ownership inscription in pen to last f. of text verso, pen inscriptions to title and first few ff faded, lacking preliminary blank, title and initials ff washed and silked with minor paper repair, small tear with loss to upper corner of A1 not affecting text, occasional slight soiling and dampstaining; modern imitation panel calf, spine lettered in gilt, spine and top-edge of cover faded, very good; [11], 184ff. ESTC S106520; Beale T445.

• Binding: Hardcover

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