FIRST EDITION OF KAMES' SUMMARY OF SCOTTISH LAW, WITH HIS IMPORTANT HISTORICAL NOTES

[KAMES, Lord, peerage title of HOME, Henry]. Statute Law of Scotland Abridged. With Historical Notes. Edinburgh: A. Kincaid and A. Donaldson, 1757. Octavo, contemporary dark brown speckled calf, raised bands, red morocco spine label. $1800.

First edition of this important summary of Scottish statute law, by a major figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, arranged alphabetically with his important historical notes tracing connections between ancient Scottish law, English law and Roman law.

"As a writer on Scots law his output of eight books plus essays and collections was prolific and significant… In John Ramsay of Ouchertyre's judgment had Kames devoted himself fully to the law, he would have been one of the greatest and most enlightened judges of his time" (ODNB). With leaf of publisher's advertisements at rear. A second edition was called for in 1769. Harvard Law Library, I:1079 (2nd edition). Contemporary ink inscription on title page.

Faint evidence of dampstain to several internal leaves, chiefly marginal, text generally clean. Desirable in unrestored contemporary calf with a few light rubs, near-fine.