£135
8vo, pp. xxx, [ii], 412, [20]. Contemporary calf, spine divided by raised bands, red morocco label, boards bordered by blind rolls. A little light spotting, some offsetting to first and last leaves. Joints cracked, extremities worn, spine rubbed and soiled. Armorial bookplate and ownership inscription of Scrope Berdmore dated 1784 to front pastedown, armorial bookplate of Henry C. Compton Esq. to rear pastedown, modern pencil ownership inscription to front flyleaf.
Sir Michael Foster (1689-1763) was one of the judges in the trials of Jacobites following the 1745 rebellion and a member of the court of King's Bench during the reign of George II. In this work, edited and corrected by his nephew Michael Dodson, 'he aimed to elucidate principle and eradicate inconsistency and excess in the law, success in which gained his work high authority, and led Blackstone to describe him as 'a very great master of the crown law''(ODNB). This copy belonged to Scrope Berdmore (1744-1814), Warden of Merton College, Oxford.
