HAND-BOOK to the public records

London: printed by George E. Eyre and WIlliam Spottiswoode, 1853. First edition, royal 8vo, pp. lxii, 482; folding chromolithograph plate; ex-library copy with usual markings, pages slightly browned, hinges cracked, spine faded with small cracks in ends, covers scuffed, else good or better in original purple cloth, gilt lettering on spine. Thomas describes the purpose of the Hand-Book: "It is intended to exhibit the various classes of records and documents, and much information contained therein, analytically and alphabetically arranged under the courts and departments to which they respectively belong" (Preface). Includes a history of public records and how they have been stored.