"SIR THOMAS WAS ALSO EXAMIN'D AT OTHER TIMES BY THE LORD CHANCELLOR, DUKES OF NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK, MR. SECRETARY, AND OTHERS OF THE PRIVY-COUNCIL, WHO PRESS'D HIM, WITH ALL THE ARGUMENTS THEY COULD THINK OF, TO OWN THE KING'S SUPREMACY IN DIRECT AND OPEN TERMS…": A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF STATE TRIALS, 1730, EIGHT LARGE FOLIO VOLUMES

[EMLYN, Sollom; SALMON, Thomas]. A Complete Collection of State-Trials, and Proceedings for High-Treason, and other Crimes and Misdemeanours; from the Reign of King Richard II. To the End of the Reign of King George I. London: J Walthoe et al., 1730-35. Eight volumes. Folio, contemporary full brown sheep rebacked, raised bands, red morocco spine labels. $9000.

Second edition, considerably expanded, of this collection of English state trials, giving detailed accounts of some of the most famous and consequential English trials.

Sollom Emlyn "practised successfully as a chamber counsel, and became a commissioner in bankruptcy and in the lead office, but his chief fame was as a writer. In 1730 there appeared in six volumes his A complete collection of state-trials and proceedings for high treason, and other crimes and misdemeanours; from the reign of King Richard II to the end of the reign of King George I. This was the second edition of the collection of state trials first edited by Thomas Salmon from material collected by the printer John Darby the younger, which had appeared in four volumes in 1719. Emlyn's edition made considerable improvements on its predecessor: the trials were arranged in chronological order, and the names of judges and counsel, dates, and notes and references were added. Emlyn included an appendix of records and wrote a preface assessing the merits of English law in comparison with other systems. He was critical of both the civil and the ecclesiastical aspects of English law and their delays, technicalities, and costs, but suggested that despite room for improvement, in their criminal law the English had 'by far the better' of their neighbours and were 'deservedly their admiration and envy' (S. Emlyn, preface, iii), principally through the public nature of English prosecutions and the use of trial by jury. Two further, supplementary, volumes appeared in 1735" (DNB). A vast range of material is included: Volume I contains the famous proceedings against Mary, Queen of Scots, Guy Fawkes, Thomas More and Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud, to name a few. Occasional mispagination without loss of text. HLC II:989. Sweet & Maxwell 369:8. Owner signatures dated 1830.

Interior generally fine, expected wear to nicely rebacked contemporary boards. An impressive compendium.