Lillian Goldman Law Library Rare16 24-0013 copy purchased from Sokol Books Ltd. in May 2023. Bound in contemporary English calf, covers double blind ruled to a panel design, spine with raised bands, rebacked with remains of original spine laid down, a later gilt label title , corners restored. Includes "Thomas Parbinye possidet" in contemporary hand at head of title page, "P. Bluett 1724" below, another illegible at foot, several contemporary acquisition notes repeated on verso of last leaf "Charles Parbinye his boke recorde George Harris ... of Plymouth" with the Harris on verso of title page. Copies marginal notes in the same hand, small manuscript ticket loosely inserted "Loaned by Mr. Doolittle" in 19th Century hand.

Hicks classification: T L7346 1566 short.

Title within architectural ornament (McKerrow, Borders, no. 43; Devices 86); the sill piece, with Thomas Petyt's mark, has been replaced by an ornamental panel with grapevine, birds, and a snail.

Colophon: Imprinted at Londo[n] in Fletestrete nere to. S. Dunstones church, by Thomas Marshe. Anno M.D.L. VI.

Collation: A-Y⁸ Z⁶ [$5 ( -CIRZ4, -QUX5) signed; misprinting P5 as B5].

Errors in foliation: leaves Cxxii, Cxxvii, Cxxxii, Clxi and Clxxvii printed Cxii, Cxvii, Cxxxiii, Clix and Clxxi.

In predominantly black letter type; some Roman type.

Floriated woodcut initials.

Side notes.

Leaves numbered on recto only.

First published in Law French in 1482, Littleton's work was the earliest printed treatise on English law not printed in Latin. It incorporated some material from the Old tenures and "sums up the development of what was then the most important branch of the common law"--Oxford companion to law.

The 1st translation from Law French into English (STC 15759.5) was published by John Rastell [1523-1525].

Pollard, A.W. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English books printed abroad, 1475-1640 (2nd ed.), 15768.5.

Beale, J.H. Bibliography of early English law books, T47.

Real property > England > Early works to 1800.

Real property > Great Britain > Early works to 1800.

Land tenure > Law and legislation > England > Early works to 1800.

Octavo format (Printing) - England - London - 1556.

Colophons (Printing) - England - London - 1556.

Black letter types (Type evidence) - England - London - 1556.

Borders (Type evidence) - England - London - 1556.

England London.