JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. LONDON. 1861 FIRST EDITION. Henry Sumner Maine's 1861 compilation of ancient laws dealing with property, inheritance, crime, and civil law. Provenance: Original owner, Charles Fernald, Victorian-era judge (Name and year - 1862 inscribed inside front board, item stamped 'SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC. 1943'; raised circular blind stamp on two pages), once part of an extensive library collection that once graced the Fernald Mansion; now a historical landmark Museum in Santa Barbara, California. Description: 514 pages, Faux Light Brown Leather, pebble grain texture, blind stamped geometric pattern of (5) double rectangles on spine edge, gilt stamped/embossed title/publisher at spine, double rectangular frame blind stamped front/rear boards with double edged frame, natural torn leaf edge, by Edmond & Remnants, London. Dimensions: 9" x 5 3/4" x 1 1/4". Condition: Very Good; moderately bumped/rubbed spine with a tiny break/tear at each end, very gently hinges rubbed at crown/heel, moderately bumped/rubbed front board corners, gently bumped/rubbed rear board corners, hinges secure, interior pages light brown with some very light spotting, very light puckering in a couple of areas, strong spine, age toned leaf edge, (2) previous ownership inscriptions.
NOTES: Cambridge book review 1931: "Maine's Ancient Law, on its first publication in 1861, was immediately recognized as an epoch-making work on historical jurisprudence".
In a later edition (1931), "Although later researches and discussion have shown some of the author's conclusions cannot be accepted as accurate, it is remarkable to what a small extent the work has affected by subsequent investigation. The useful Introduction supplied by Professor Allen points out very adequately to the student those parts of the work which should be received with caution. The work will always maintain its position as a classic in Jurisprudence and the inclusion of it in the 'World's Classics' series in so dainty a form".