William Blackstone, 1765-1769

BLACKSTONE, William (1723-1780). Commentaries on the Laws of England. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1765-1769.

First edition of a legal classic—according to John Marshall "the poetry of the law, just as Pope is logic in poetry"—in contemporary calf. "Until the Commentaries, the ordinary Englishman had viewed the law as a vast, unintelligible and unfriendly machine ... Blackstone's great achievement was to popularize the law and the traditions which had influenced its formation... He takes a delight in describing and defending as the essence of the constitution the often anomalous complexities which had grown into the laws of England over the centuries. But he achieves the astonishing feat of communicating this delight, and this is due to a style which is itself always lucid and graceful" (PMM). This copy does not include the Supplement, which was issued slightly later. PMM 212; Rothschild 407.

Four volumes, quarto (273 x 211mm). Two engraved diagrams, one of which is folding (3E1 in vol. 1 with long repaired tear, some dampstaining to gutter of vol. 2 and upper edge at end of vol. 4). Contemporary calf gilt (small restorations to spines, vol. 1 rebacked and vol. 4 chipped at headcap). Provenance: George Robinson, Esq (pencil signature) - faded stamp on rear board of vol. 1 for insurance company agent.