An Act for the Exportation of Several Commodities of the Breed, Growth and Manufacture of This Commonwealth. At the Parliament begun at Westminster the 17th day of September, An. Dom. 1656
first edition
1657 · London
London: Printed by Henry Hills and John Field, Printers to His Highness, 1657 First edition, first printing (by Hills and Field). Printed Parliamentary Act for exportation of goods. Rare! Small quarto. 10¼ x 6¾ inches. Title leaf (verso blank) plus 10pp. Printed in black letter. Woodcut illustration of coat-of-arms on title page, decorative initial. Disbound. Remains of stitching at spine. Text area (specifically) toned, but a fine, clean, and crisp copy. "Forasmuch as it is found by long experience, that the prosperous of all Islands is very much (under God) maintained and supported by a quick and flourishing Trade, and in a just endeavor and care, that the Exportation of the Native Commodities overbalance the Importation of Forein [sic] Commodities...". The remaining 9 pages go on to state that as of January 1, from anywhere within the Commonwealth, it shall be lawful to export at the customs specified which, of course, were lower for natives. The work is crammed with details on prices, etc. for horses, oxen, beef, pork, bacon, butter, cheese, candles, different kinds of grains, beer, calf's skins, arms of sundry kinds, ammunition, and a host of other commodities. [Wing: E-1110].. (Inventory #: 8344)