NEW YORK, General Assembly

Acts of Assembly passed in the Province of New-York, from 1691-1725. Examined and compared with the originals in the secretary's office.

New York: William Bradford, 1726. Folio. (12 1/4 x 7 5/8 inches). [10], 124 [i.e., 128], 121-252, 261-319, [1, blank] pp. [mispaginated, as issued]. Woodcut arms of King George I on the title. (Head of title clipped without loss of text and expertly repaired).

Expertly bound to style in half calf over period marbled paper covered boards, spine with raised bands in six compartments, ruled in gilt on either side of each band, red morocco lettering piece

Provenance: Richard Price (early owner's signature on title and manuscript additions to the final page of the table)

An early New York imprint from the press of William Bradford, the "pioneering printer of the English middle colonies" (DAB) and first printer of New York.

Bradford (1663-1752) originally settled in Pennsylvania, where he began operating a printing press in 1685 and a bookstore in 1688. Controversies within the Quaker community, with Bradford supporting the dissident George Keith, led to the temporary seizure of his type and paper in 1692, and in 1693 he moved to New York. The present acts of Assembly cover the legislation passed between 1691 and 1725. Laws here include acts "for quieting and settling the Disorders that have lately happened within this Province" (1691), "for restraining and punishing Privateers and Pyrates" (1693 and 1698), and "against Jesuites and Popish Priests" (1700), as well as numerous acts "for Regulating Slaves" and one for "Baptizing them" (1706). Other Acts include those relating to Queen Anne's War, as well as the continuing conflicts with the French and Indians. A major early New York imprint, from the press of its first printer.

Evans 2785; Tower 613.

Item #28889

Price: $9,850.00