LEX PARLIAMENTARIA: OR A TREATISE OF THE LAW AND CUSTOM OF THE PARLIAMENTS OF ENGLAND. By G.P. Esq

Book Description

New York: William and Andrew Bradford, 1716.. [6],184pp. (pp.30-32 misnumbered 28-30; p.73 misnumbered 23). 12mo. Contemporary American binding of calf over boards, ruled in blind in a double fillet windowpane pattern. Spine nearly perished, boards held tenderly by cords, calf on boards worn and stripped. Upper third of titlepage in facsimile. Age-toned. Two worm holes in lower margin, both beginning at start of text and one extending to the "G" signature, the other to the "I" signature. Withal, a very good copy. In a half morocco and cloth box. First American printing, and a very early New York imprint, of this treatise on the powers, procedures, and activities of the Parliament, originally published in London in 1690. A very thorough description on the workings of the English political system, which would have been of great interest in the colonies. This is one of the very few Bradford imprints that list the names of both father and son. "We are unable to trace the sale of any copy (except Mr W. Menzies') of this most rare book" - Sabin. The Menzies copy sold for a remarkable $27 in 1875. Authorship is ascribed by Evans. The North American Imprints Project locates twelve copies. Rare on the market, and in an early American binding, likely done by William Bradford's own shop. EVANS 1850. NAIP w013590. COHEN 5802. SABIN 58055. MENZIES SALE 1531. BRINLEY SALE 3430.

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