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 - Signed -
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.’
A signed first edition of what is widely considered the most important environmental book of the 20th century. Signed copies are uncommon, as Carson died barely eighteen months later in the spring of 1964, at the age of fifty-six.
‘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$ 23,000
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.’A signed first edition of what is widely considered the most important environmental book of the 20th century. Signed copies are uncommon, as Carson died barely eighteen months later in the spring of 1964, at the age of fifty-six.
‘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$ 23,000
The Story of My Life - Signed -
Clarence Darrow
1932 - Charles Scribner's Sons, New York - First Edition. One of 15 presentation copies
An exceptional, uncut and unread example of one of only fifteen signed presentation copies, in a large special ivory buckram binding (unnumbered as issued), and with extra illustrations, including the striking colour frontispiece portrait of Darrow (as opposed to the black and white photograph of the trade edition), sixteen photographic plates showing 21 illustrations (five more than the trade edition), one page of sketches, and a facsimile page of Darrow’s The Pilgrim.
A highly entertaining autobiography, despite Darrow’s occasional side-track, and the strength of character that made him one of America’s most combative and renowned attorney's of his time. Covers the Leopold-Loeb murder trial and the ‘Scopes’ monkey trial.
‘For 40 years the shambling figure, drawling speech, and acid wit of Clarence Darrow delighted audiences throughout the nation at his lectures and debates on many topics: questioning free will and immortality and God; opposing the tariff and prohibition and the League of Nations; advocating the closed shop, the abolition of capital punishment and child labor, reform of the judicial and penal systems…. He wrote profusely, in a forceful if undisciplined way’. – American National Biography.
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Price HK$ 20,000
1932 - Charles Scribner's Sons, New York - First Edition. One of 15 presentation copies
An exceptional, uncut and unread example of one of only fifteen signed presentation copies, in a large special ivory buckram binding (unnumbered as issued), and with extra illustrations, including the striking colour frontispiece portrait of Darrow (as opposed to the black and white photograph of the trade edition), sixteen photographic plates showing 21 illustrations (five more than the trade edition), one page of sketches, and a facsimile page of Darrow’s The Pilgrim.A highly entertaining autobiography, despite Darrow’s occasional side-track, and the strength of character that made him one of America’s most combative and renowned attorney's of his time. Covers the Leopold-Loeb murder trial and the ‘Scopes’ monkey trial.
‘For 40 years the shambling figure, drawling speech, and acid wit of Clarence Darrow delighted audiences throughout the nation at his lectures and debates on many topics: questioning free will and immortality and God; opposing the tariff and prohibition and the League of Nations; advocating the closed shop, the abolition of capital punishment and child labor, reform of the judicial and penal systems…. He wrote profusely, in a forceful if undisciplined way’. – American National Biography.
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Price HK$ 20,000
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
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
In two volumes. Rare and classic, 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.
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Price HK$ 16,000
1793 - printed for H. Lemoin, London - First Edition
In two volumes. Rare and classic, 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.
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Price HK$ 16,000
On Liberty -
John Stuart Mill
1864 - Longman, London - Third edition
‘Genius can only breathe freely in an atmosphere of freedom’.
A smartly bound early printing of this powerful essay by British philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill (1806-73), first published in 1859.
On Liberty remains a major influence upon liberal political thought today, Mill defines liberty as an absolute individual right, and defends freedom of speech as a necessary condition of social and intellectual progress.
‘If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind’.
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Price HK$ 6,000
1864 - Longman, London - Third edition
‘Genius can only breathe freely in an atmosphere of freedom’.A smartly bound early printing of this powerful essay by British philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill (1806-73), first published in 1859.
On Liberty remains a major influence upon liberal political thought today, Mill defines liberty as an absolute individual right, and defends freedom of speech as a necessary condition of social and intellectual progress.
‘If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind’.
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Price HK$ 6,000
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