Conductor Generalis, or The Office, Duty and Authority

(EARLY AMERICAN LAW). Conductor Generalis, or The Office, Duty and Authority of Justices of the Peace, High-Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, Goalers, Coroners, Constables, Jury Men, Over-Seers of the Poor. . . . Philadelphia: Andrew Bradford, 1722. 4to. [8], xii, 299. [1] p. Late 19th century law cloth, red calf spine label. Upper corner extremities of first two leaves a bit gnawed costing a few letters, paper defect on B3 costing several words, some gatherings variously toned or browned from differing paper stocks, as usual with American books of this early date. Aside from the two issues noted, a very good, tight copy. With the dates and contemporary notations (truncated) of three early owners: John Ross, July ye 13 1731; John Blanshard, May 31, 1742; and Isaac Woodruff, February 1769.

First obtainable edition of a rare early American legal guide, copied largely from the English version. The first printing in America is an essentially unobtainable New York, 1711, edition, known by a single copy, followed by this Philadelphia edition. Later in the century the book was adapted more specifically to American law, and it went through several printings. Early eighteenth century imprints from the Middle Atlantic states rarely appear on the market. A desirable early American law book. Evans 2327; ESTC W37506. (Inventory #: 15689)