Commentaries on the Laws of England. -
William Blackstone, Esq. Solicitor General to Her Majesty
1770 - The Clarendon Press, Oxford - Fourth Edition
It Is Better That Ten Persons Escape, Than That One Innocent Suffer.
‘Blackstone's great work on the laws of England is the extreme example of justification of an existing state of affairs by virtue of its history. Until the ‘Commentaries’, the ordinary Englishman had viewed the law as a vast, unintelligible and unfriendly machine; nothing but trouble, even danger, was to be expected from contact with it. Blackstone's great achievement was to popularise the law and the traditions which had influenced its formation.’
– Printing and the Mind of Man.
An attractive four volume quarto set [28 x 23 cm] in contemporary full calf binding. With two engraved tables, being the Table of Consanguinity [Vol. II p.203] and the folding Table of Descents [Vol. II p.240].
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Price HK$ 38,000
1770 - The Clarendon Press, Oxford - Fourth Edition
It Is Better That Ten Persons Escape, Than That One Innocent Suffer.‘Blackstone's great work on the laws of England is the extreme example of justification of an existing state of affairs by virtue of its history. Until the ‘Commentaries’, the ordinary Englishman had viewed the law as a vast, unintelligible and unfriendly machine; nothing but trouble, even danger, was to be expected from contact with it. Blackstone's great achievement was to popularise the law and the traditions which had influenced its formation.’
– Printing and the Mind of Man.
An attractive four volume quarto set [28 x 23 cm] in contemporary full calf binding. With two engraved tables, being the Table of Consanguinity [Vol. II p.203] and the folding Table of Descents [Vol. II p.240].
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Price HK$ 38,000
Silent Spring -
Rachel Carson
1962 - Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston - First Edition
‘Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.’
First edition of what is widely considered the most important environmental book of the 20th century, and elusive with the dust jacket in such nice condition. With illustrations by Lois and Louis Darling.
‘The book that most changed the scientific world, after Darwin’s Origin of Species is Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.’ – Sir David Attenborough.
‘In the few months between the New Yorker’s serialisation of Silent Spring in June and its publication in book form that September, Rachel Carson’s alarm touched off a national debate on the use of chemical pesticides, the responsibility of science, and the limits of technological progress. With ‘Silent Spring’ Carson had set in motion a course of events that would result in a ban on the domestic production of DDT and the creation of a grass-roots movement demanding protection of the environment through state and federal regulation. Carson’s writing initiated a transformation in the relationship between humans and the natural world and stirred an awakening of public environmental consciousness’. – Dr. Linda Lear.
‘In her new book [Rachel Carson] tries to scare the living daylights out of us and, in large measure, succeeds. Her work tingles with anger, outrage and protest. It is a 20th-century “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”’ – Walter Sullivan, New York Times, 1962.
Recognition, a small selection:-
- One of the 25 greatest science books of all time – Discover Magazine, 2006.
- One of the 100 best and most influential non-fiction books written since 1923 – Time Magazine, 2011.
- 100 Best Nonfiction books of the twentieth century - Number 5 – Random House’s Modern Library, 1998.
- Fifty Books to Change the World – Guardian newspaper, 2010.
- 100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century – National Review, 1999.
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Price HK$ 8,000
1962 - Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston - First Edition
‘Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.’First edition of what is widely considered the most important environmental book of the 20th century, and elusive with the dust jacket in such nice condition. With illustrations by Lois and Louis Darling.
‘The book that most changed the scientific world, after Darwin’s Origin of Species is Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.’ – Sir David Attenborough.
‘In the few months between the New Yorker’s serialisation of Silent Spring in June and its publication in book form that September, Rachel Carson’s alarm touched off a national debate on the use of chemical pesticides, the responsibility of science, and the limits of technological progress. With ‘Silent Spring’ Carson had set in motion a course of events that would result in a ban on the domestic production of DDT and the creation of a grass-roots movement demanding protection of the environment through state and federal regulation. Carson’s writing initiated a transformation in the relationship between humans and the natural world and stirred an awakening of public environmental consciousness’. – Dr. Linda Lear.
‘In her new book [Rachel Carson] tries to scare the living daylights out of us and, in large measure, succeeds. Her work tingles with anger, outrage and protest. It is a 20th-century “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”’ – Walter Sullivan, New York Times, 1962.
Recognition, a small selection:-
- One of the 25 greatest science books of all time – Discover Magazine, 2006.
- One of the 100 best and most influential non-fiction books written since 1923 – Time Magazine, 2011.
- 100 Best Nonfiction books of the twentieth century - Number 5 – Random House’s Modern Library, 1998.
- Fifty Books to Change the World – Guardian newspaper, 2010.
- 100 Best Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century – National Review, 1999.
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Price HK$ 8,000
The Chamber- SIGNED -
John Grisham
1994 - Doubleday, New York - First Edition, First Printing
A fine first edition, signed by Grisham.
‘Twenty -six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances — except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.’
‘Mesmerizing… with an authority and originality… and with a grasp of literary complexity that makes Scott Turow’s novel’s pale by comparison — Grisham returns.’ – San Francisco Chronicle.
Grisham’s fifth novel, and the basis for the 1996 film starring Gene Hackman, Chris O’Donnell and Faye Dunaway.
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Price HK$ 1,000
1994 - Doubleday, New York - First Edition, First Printing
A fine first edition, signed by Grisham.‘Twenty -six-year-old Adam Hall stands on the brink of a brilliant legal career. Now he is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case.
Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist now facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. He has run out of chances — except for one: the young, liberal Chicago lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.’
‘Mesmerizing… with an authority and originality… and with a grasp of literary complexity that makes Scott Turow’s novel’s pale by comparison — Grisham returns.’ – San Francisco Chronicle.
Grisham’s fifth novel, and the basis for the 1996 film starring Gene Hackman, Chris O’Donnell and Faye Dunaway.
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Price HK$ 1,000
The Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life, by Food, Clothes, Air, Exercise, Wine, Sleep, &c. -
William Kitchiner
1822 - Hurst, London - Third Edition, Enlarged
A scarce and fascinating little work in contemporary binding.
Following a ‘Cure for Tooth-Ach’ is the section entitled ‘The Pleasure of Making a Will’, presumably many ‘Tooth-Achs’ were terminal in 1822.
Words of wisdom include:-
‘The Siesta is not only advisable, but indispensable.’
‘No man should habitually take Wine as Food until he is past 30 years of age’.
‘Take as much exercise as you can in the open air’.
‘Nothing is so restorative to the nerves, as sound and uninterrupted Sleep; which is the chief source of both Bodily and Mental Strength’.
‘The clearness of the Complexion is considered the best criterion of a Man’s being in good condition’.
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Price HK$ 2,800
1822 - Hurst, London - Third Edition, Enlarged
A scarce and fascinating little work in contemporary binding.Following a ‘Cure for Tooth-Ach’ is the section entitled ‘The Pleasure of Making a Will’, presumably many ‘Tooth-Achs’ were terminal in 1822.
Words of wisdom include:-
‘The Siesta is not only advisable, but indispensable.’
‘No man should habitually take Wine as Food until he is past 30 years of age’.
‘Take as much exercise as you can in the open air’.
‘Nothing is so restorative to the nerves, as sound and uninterrupted Sleep; which is the chief source of both Bodily and Mental Strength’.
‘The clearness of the Complexion is considered the best criterion of a Man’s being in good condition’.
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Price HK$ 2,800
Shanghai: its Mixed Court and Council -
A. M. Kotenev
1925 - North-China Daily News & Herald, Shanghai - First Edition
A rare first edition of the most detailed work on Shanghai’s Municipal Council and Mixed Court from 1842 to 1924, the year before its demise.
Contents: Rules for the Mixed court, 1869. Rules of procedure of the International mixed court, 1914 and 1919, supplemented with provisions on general principles of the modern procedural laws of China, 1921. The provisional Criminal code of the republic of China. The provisional Criminal code amendment act.--The revised draft of the law on offences relating to morphine. The Chinese Supreme court decisions (1923). Rules for application of foreign laws (1921). Regulations relating to commerce. Copyright, 1916. The Law of publication, 1914. Rules of the Court of consuls. Land regulations and bye-laws for the Foreign settlement of Shanghai.
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Price HK$ 8,000
1925 - North-China Daily News & Herald, Shanghai - First Edition
A rare first edition of the most detailed work on Shanghai’s Municipal Council and Mixed Court from 1842 to 1924, the year before its demise.Contents: Rules for the Mixed court, 1869. Rules of procedure of the International mixed court, 1914 and 1919, supplemented with provisions on general principles of the modern procedural laws of China, 1921. The provisional Criminal code of the republic of China. The provisional Criminal code amendment act.--The revised draft of the law on offences relating to morphine. The Chinese Supreme court decisions (1923). Rules for application of foreign laws (1921). Regulations relating to commerce. Copyright, 1916. The Law of publication, 1914. Rules of the Court of consuls. Land regulations and bye-laws for the Foreign settlement of Shanghai.
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Price HK$ 8,000
The Cuckold's Chronicle; being Select Trials for Adultery, Incest, Imbecillity, Ravishment, &c. -
H. Lemoin [Editor]
1793 - printed for H. Lemoin, London - First Edition
Extremely scarce two volumes (lacking plates and the title page to volume I). Over 800 pages representing ‘one of the finest examples of sensationalistic writing of the time period’ (Bearden-White).
The pinnacle of publications to satisfy the late 1700’s fascination with divorce cases - contemporary pornography. Containing a large number of trials, fascinating, and in many cases bizarre, some 'never before published', such as 'The celebrated Case and Trial of the Marquis de Gesvres, upon the complaint of his Lady, Mademoiselle de Mascranny, who, after three years Marriage, commenced a Suit against him, at Paris, for Imbecility and Impotency'; and 'The Case of John Bury, Esq. of the County of Devon, who was divorced for want of his Testicles’.
‘The 18th-century fashion for arranged marriages to secure finances and improve social and political influence, with little thought given to the personal feelings of those concerned, led to a great number of extra-marital affairs by both men and women. The reports of consequent divorce cases aroused great interest across all classes, with the trial reports becoming more sexually explicit towards the end of the century. The apogee of the development of [the criminal conversation] genre toward pornography was reached with the publication in 1793 of The Cuckold’s Chronicle’ (Wagner).
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Price HK$ 16,000
1793 - printed for H. Lemoin, London - First Edition
Extremely scarce two volumes (lacking plates and the title page to volume I). Over 800 pages representing ‘one of the finest examples of sensationalistic writing of the time period’ (Bearden-White).The pinnacle of publications to satisfy the late 1700’s fascination with divorce cases - contemporary pornography. Containing a large number of trials, fascinating, and in many cases bizarre, some 'never before published', such as 'The celebrated Case and Trial of the Marquis de Gesvres, upon the complaint of his Lady, Mademoiselle de Mascranny, who, after three years Marriage, commenced a Suit against him, at Paris, for Imbecility and Impotency'; and 'The Case of John Bury, Esq. of the County of Devon, who was divorced for want of his Testicles’.
‘The 18th-century fashion for arranged marriages to secure finances and improve social and political influence, with little thought given to the personal feelings of those concerned, led to a great number of extra-marital affairs by both men and women. The reports of consequent divorce cases aroused great interest across all classes, with the trial reports becoming more sexually explicit towards the end of the century. The apogee of the development of [the criminal conversation] genre toward pornography was reached with the publication in 1793 of The Cuckold’s Chronicle’ (Wagner).
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Price HK$ 16,000
The Crooked Samaritan - Inscribed -
Paul Trent (Pseud. of Edward Platt)
1933 - Ward, London and Melbourne - First Edition
Inscribed to the half title ‘To Llew. S. Jones, from his friend The Author, December 1933’ and signed ‘Paul Trent’ to the title page.
A fine signed and inscribed first edition of this courtroom drama in a very good example of the rare dust jacket.
Featuring Roger Welby, Barrister and gentleman romantic, who comes to the aid of his persecuted father, a lawyer who had been tempted away from his profession by the riches of the city and a life of financial schemes which finally proved his undoing. The author, Edward Platt was himself a solicitor.
Paul Trent was the pseudonym of Edward Platt (1872-1946), English solicitor, goalkeeper (made his debut for Gloucester AFC as a goalkeeper in 1889), and prolific novelist who wrote over 80 books under the pseudonyms of Paul Trent and Wilmot Kaye.
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Price HK$ 5,000
1933 - Ward, London and Melbourne - First Edition
Inscribed to the half title ‘To Llew. S. Jones, from his friend The Author, December 1933’ and signed ‘Paul Trent’ to the title page.A fine signed and inscribed first edition of this courtroom drama in a very good example of the rare dust jacket.
Featuring Roger Welby, Barrister and gentleman romantic, who comes to the aid of his persecuted father, a lawyer who had been tempted away from his profession by the riches of the city and a life of financial schemes which finally proved his undoing. The author, Edward Platt was himself a solicitor.
Paul Trent was the pseudonym of Edward Platt (1872-1946), English solicitor, goalkeeper (made his debut for Gloucester AFC as a goalkeeper in 1889), and prolific novelist who wrote over 80 books under the pseudonyms of Paul Trent and Wilmot Kaye.
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Price HK$ 5,000