"THE FOUNDATION OF MODERN CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT": 1608 LATIN EDITION OF THE MAGNA CARTA, WITH LATER STATUTES IN LAW FRENCH AND ENGLISH

(MAGNA CARTA). Magna Charta cum statutis, tum antiquis, tum recentibus. London: Companie of Stationers, 1608. Thick 12mo, contemporary full dark brown sheep, raised bands; ll. [6], 258. $4000.

Rare early 17th-century printing of the Magna Carta in Latin, "one of the central documents in the history of Western civilization,… the symbol of political liberty… [and] the foundation of modern constitutional government" (Viorst). With later statutes and supporting material in Law French and English, in contemporary sheep.

The Magna Carta, the Great Charter of English liberties granted by King John in 1215 under threat of civil war, is one of the most influential documents ever published, and its significance has grown immeasurably with the passage of time. It holds "a unique place in popular imagination; quite early in its history it became a symbol and a battle cry against oppression, each successive generation reading into it a protection of their own threatened liberties. In England the Petition of Right (1628) and the Habeas Corpus Act (1679) looked directly back to the famous… charter… In the United States both the national and the state constitutions show ideas and even phrases directly traceable to Magna Carta" (New Britannica). The Great Charter is "the most important legislative enactment of this epoch… Its historical importance consists in the fact that it opened a new chapter in English history, which ended by establishing a system of constitutional government, of which the Charter was regarded as the pledge and the symbol. All through the medieval period it was constantly confirmed; during the constitutional conflicts of the 17th century it was constantly appealed to; and in later ages its observance came to be regarded, both by lawyers and politicians, as a synonym for constitutional government" (Reams, 11-12). Printed in London by Richard Tottell in both Roman and Gothic type, with decorative woodcut initials, this edition provides the later statutes either in Law French or English, and contains additions "more than was before imprinted, the corrections whereof are to be warranted by divers auncient coppies which have bene carefully conferred for the same purpose." "From 1553 Tottell was patentee for the printing of law books, superseding William Powell in that function" (Pollard & Redgrave, Index, 169). Early 17th-century printings of the Magna Carta are uncommon and many extant copies are defective: this copy is complete. Text in Latin and Law French, with additional material in English. STC 9284. See also Viorst, The Great Documents of Western Civilization, 112. Early owner ink signature.

Text generally clean. Some rubbing and stripping to sheep, binding sound. Desirable in contemporary binding.