Numerous woodcuts in the text. 28 unnumbered leaves (incl. the first leaf, a blank). Small 4to, early 20th-cent. calf (final leaf with short tear in blank section, carefully repaired). London: W. Stansby for J. Grismand, 1626.

A very rare book that describes the English bread-pricing regulations established in 1266, which remained in force, with modifications, for more than six centuries. As Britain’s early modern economy developed and the price of wheat fluctuated, these regulations were periodically revised and reissued by authority of the Privy Council. ESTC locates only one copy of our edition in North America.

“Bread was one of the basic nutritional elements of the medieval diet and its supply and price were of the utmost concern to local authorities. Consequently, well-defined laws were laid down to control the manufacture and sale of bread: to judge the weight, quality, and price, and also to ensure an open and constant supply. The most significant and long-lasting commercial law in medieval England was the assize of bread, which was entered into statute law sometime [1266] in the thirteenth century… More

Title within double-ruled border. xi, 283, [15] pp., one leaf of ads. Small 8vo, later sheep (neatly rebacked, some faint browning), red morocco lettering piece on spine. “In the Savoy” [London]: printed by Eliz. Nutt and R. Gosling, 1720.

First edition and very scarce on the market. Jacob (1686-1744), legal and literary author (including much pornography), is best known for The Country Gentleman’s Vade Mecum (1717). After serving an apprenticeship to the law, he became Secretary to the Hon. W. Blathwayt, a celebrated courtier in the reign of William and Mary. Jacob, a land-owner with a keen interest in farming, was prompted to... More

Woodcut printer’s device on title. 19 leaves, one blank leaf. Small folio, later 18th-century half-sheep & speckled boards, spine gilt. Eisleben: A. Koch, 1674.

A most interesting volume containing a printed edition of mining laws of 1674 and three manuscript copies of mining laws of the 16th century, assembled by and bound for August Ferdinand, Graf von Veltheim (1741-1801). He was appointed in 1790 by Empress Catherine of Russia as general inspector of mines and saltworks in the western regions of the Russian empire. Geology and mining were favorite subjects and at his home in Harbke, he formed an important library along... More

Finely engraved frontis. port., two engraved plates, & two engravings in the text. Title within ruled borders. 7 p.l., 108, [7] pp. Small folio, cont. blind-ruled calf (neat repairs to ends of spine, faint dampstaining towards end), spine ruled in gilt, red morocco label on spine. London: Printed by H.L. & R.B. for T. Basset, 1670.

First edition and a fine and large copy of the standard 17th-century English work on mining, valuable for giving an account of the state of mining in England during the period. The glossary at the end is the first attempt in English at a dictionary of mining... More

Folding printed table in Vol. I. (with a short tear). 9 p.l., iv, [17]-364 pp.; 4 p.l., [5]-368 pp. Two vols. 8vo, cont. sheep (rubbed, occasional browning), spines gilt, red leather lettering pieces on spines. Philadelphia: Printed for the Author, 1785.

First American edition of the most substantial agricultural text yet published in the United States; it was published during Varlo’s unsuccessful sojourn in America (see below). Varlo (ca. 1725-ca. 1795), was an agriculturist and inventor of a number of agricultural machines. The present book was first published in York in 1770.

“In 1784, while he was living in Sloane Square, in London, Varlo became involved in a somewhat ludicrous episode. He had bought papers and charters supposedly granted by Charles I to Sir Edward Plowden, entitling him to colonize New Albion (later New Jersey) in America. This attempt at colonization had failed and in Charles II’s reign the charter was superseded by a new grant to the duke of York. Armed with his papers (which were probably forgeries), Varlo went out to the American colonies in 1784 hoping to be recognized as governor of the province of New Jersey and to take over one-third of the territory. The case was tried before the colonial courts, but Varlo’s claim was dismissed…Before returning to England he travelled for a year through New England, Maryland, and Virginia (where he met George Washington).”–ODNB. More