Historia Placitorum Coronae. The History of the Pleas of the Crown, First Published from his Lordship's Original Manuscript, and the Several References to the Records Examined by the Original, with Notes by Sollom Emlyn with a Table of Principal Matters Two Volumes

Philadelphia: Robert H. Small, 1847. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. Scarce First American Edition of this seminal treatise by Sir Matthew Hale first published posthumously in 1736. Sir Matthew (1609 - 1676) was an influential barrister and judge who served as the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of the King's Bench whose central legacy is considered by many to be this work on capital offenses. It included two sections, one on the substantive law and one on associated procedures. The American edition provides notes and references to every relevant federal and state statute and case by W.A. Stokes and E. Ingersoll of the Philadelphia Bar. This work thus gives U.S. lawyers the applications of common law to the statutes and cases relevant to their their jurisdictions and legal issues. With tables of cases, principal matters, and abbreviations. Bound in tan leather with red title labels to spines. Spines are browned and creased, corners are lightly bumped and soiled. Small gouge to lower left front cover in Volume I. Offsetting to free endpapers and occasional spots on pages. The book was owned by Baltimore attorney William C. Holland, with his ownership signature dated 3/12/42 on title page of Volume I and name stamp on page edges and spine. He has written pencil notes on the pastedowns and free front endpaper in both volumes (including when he started and finished reading the book) and has underlined some passages in the book in light pencil. Still a very good copy of this important edition of Hale's treatise. Volume I: 751 pages; Volume II: 644 pages. LAW/071217.