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Two volumes, folio (330 x 235mm). [4], 360ff.; 2-338ff. Signatures: (vol. 1) *(4), A-YY(8); (vol. 2) A-SS(8), TT(10). Titles within grand woodcut architective and figurative compartments, under it "R.T." Vol. 2 has title: . La secounde part du graund abridgement collect & escrie per le Iudge tresreuerend Syr Robert Brooke. Colophon reads: "Imprynted at London in Fletestrete within Temple barre, at the signe of the hande and starre, by Richard Tottyl. the XXV. day of January. Anno domini. 1573." Blackletter work written in Law French. Woodcut initials and head- and tail-pieces throughout. 20th-century cloth with red and black leather labels. Early ownership inscription on the title partially trimmed away. 18th century ownership associations as J. Henry Pont in 1734 on the first title and an illegible name in a heavily stylized secretarial hand from an earlier owner in the central compartment of both volumes, likely "Anthony Hudde" that appears on one of the leaves of the table. New York Bar Association stamps on title-pages; some light toning, some wear to the first few leaves of the first volume, otherwise a good set. STC 3827 Early edition Brooke s "Graunde abridgement," a major Elizabethan authority on English Law, which Richard Tottell published in 1573. Brooke was appointed Chief Justice of Common Pleas four years before his death in 1554. His magnum opus was these abridgments, which provided access to the centuries of "Year Book" cases and largely inaccessible medieval legal sources. His task was to digest, classify, and restate over 21,000 decisions alphabetically, ending up with 404 headings. Brooke was no ordinary common lawyer and his sentiments undoubtedly reflected those of the wider legal community. Of interest, he added a number of case reports and statutes from his own observations. Brooke modeled his work after the oft-reprinted 1514 treatise of the same name by Anthony Fitzherbert (1470-1538), although it is frequently said Brooke was more ambitious, and accurate, in his efforts. This title and Brooke s work appeared at least twice before in 1568 and 1570 (See Lowndes p. 266), but this 1573 seems to be Tottell s first printing of Brooke s abridgment. And Tottell printed both Brooke s and Fitzhebert s abridgments through his press at nearly the same time. It is known though that three years after this edition, the "graunde abridgement" of Brooke was reprinted by Tottell in 1576 and again in 1586 and Fitzhebert s was completed first in 1565 and again in 1577. Early edition Brooke s "Graunde abridgement," a major Elizabethan authority on English Law, which Richard Tottell published in 1573. Brooke was appointed Chief Justice of Common Pleas four years before his death in 1554. His magnum opus was these abridgments, which provided access to the centuries of "Year Book" cases and largely inaccessible medieval legal sources. His task was to digest, classify, and restate over 21,000 decisions alphabetically, ending up with 404 headings. Brooke was no ordinary common lawyer and his sentiments undoubtedly reflected those of the wider legal community. Of interest, he added a number of case reports and statutes from his own observations. Brooke modeled his work after the oft-reprinted 1514 treatise of the same name by Anthony Fitzherbert (1470-1538), although it is frequently said Brooke was more ambitious, and accurate, in his efforts. This title and Brooke s work appeared at least twice before in 1568 and 1570 (See Lowndes p. 266), but this 1573 seems to be Tottell s first printing of Brooke s abridgment. And Tottell printed both Brooke s and Fitzhebert s abridgments through his press at nearly the same time. It is known though that three years after this edition, the "graunde abridgement" of Brooke was reprinted by Tottell in 1576 and again in 1586 and Fitzhebert s was completed first in 1565 and again in 1577. Seller Inventory # SAV111
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