[NEW YORK LAWS] - SMITH, William, and Livingston, William, eds.

Laws of New-York, from the Year 1691, to1751, Inclusive, Published According to an Act of the General Assembly. [with:] Laws of New-York, from the 11th NOV. 1752, to 22d MAY 1762

New York: 1752, 1762. Large folio. 2 volumes. [6], iii, 488, [2]; [8], 268pp. including Errata leaf in first volume.

Antique three quarter calf and marbled boards, leather label. Faint old library stamps on titlepages, ownership inscription on titlepage of first volume, some tanning and foxing. Very good.

The rare two-volume compilation of early New York colonial laws prepared by William Smith (author of the History of New York) and William Livingston. The Laws of New-York was "the first digest of the colonial statutes in force at that time," according to the DAB. The work is also notable for the subscriber's list, which includes prominent names such as Benjamin Franklin, Charles Pinckney, and James De Lancey, among others. Also includes the second volume (often sold on its own), published ten years after the first. This latter volume includes much on the difficult years of the French and Indian War, with numerous acts relating to raising money and troops, preventing stores from falling into French hands, and much more. An important and handsomely produced pair, rarely encountered together. The first volume has the ink inscription "1752 8th August This Book belongs to me and my son Samuel Clowes Junr. S. Clowes." Samuel Clowes was a New York attorney who was born in England in 1674 and emigrated to New York in 1698. He practiced in Jamaica, Queens, for decades until his death in 1760. His son Samuel joined in his practice but died in 1759

Benedict 345; Tower 624, 625; Evans 6897, 9213; Brinley 2732, 2733; ESTC W6326, W6330; Sabin 53730, 53732.

Item #29387

Price: $4,500.00