Scarce Surviving 1788 American Law Book
Perpetual Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
From the Establishment of its Constitution to the First Session of the General Court, A.D. 1788
Printed: Worcester, Massachusetts
By Isaiah Thomas, 1788
Extraordinarily scarce 1788 early American law volume printed by legendary Revolutionary War patriot printer Isaiah Thomas, founder of The Massachusetts Spy and one of the most significant printers in early United States history.
This is the authentic 18th century legal volume that compiles the laws of Massachusetts immediately following the American Revolution and during the formative years of the United States Constitution era.
Bound in the original full calf leather with period tooling hardcover.
Note: Exterior calf leather on spine is delicate and cracking/peeling (image provided).
Two loose pages. All pages present. This book is 238 years old so age wear is present.
This work offers a shocking glimpse into early American law, morality, crime, religion, and punishment.
The book contains numerous obscure, controversial, and now long-abolished laws and punishments,
a few examples in this book include statutes concerning:
Blasphemy laws
Profane cursing and swearing
Fornication laws
Laws concerning “Bastard Children”
Sodomy statutes
Burglary and robbery punishable by death
Assault punishable by death
Accessory-to-crime punishments
Public whipping and pillory punishments for men and women
Gallows punishments
Maritime and Naval Office regulations
Marriage and divorce laws
Banking fraud statutes
Moral conduct laws
Criminal and judicial procedures
And many more.
Several sections contain punishments that are extreme / archaic, including whipping, public humiliation in the pillory, confinement to hard labor, and death penalties for various and even minor (today's time) offenses.
Fascinating Historical Content
Maritime regulations governing Massachusetts ports
These laws provide a window into the legal and moral framework of post-Revolutionary America.
Printed only a few years after American independence
Important early Massachusetts legal code
Highly rare and collectible Americana and legal history artifact
Printed by famed patriot printer Isaiah Thomas
Interior legible with strong period typography
Period handwritten ownership markings/notations present
Please review photographs to asses your own view of condition
Rare Colonial & Revolutionary-era, Americana original 1788 printing bound in original calf leather binding.
A rare surviving original book from the earliest legal foundations of the United States.
Items ship within 24-48 hours of payment unless payment falls on a weekend or holiday.
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