Les tenures de monsieur Littleton
Subtitle: ouesque certeine cases addes per auters de puisne temps, queux cases vous troueres signes ouesque cest signe [fleuron] al commencement & al fine de chescu[n] de eux: au fine que ne poies eux misp[re]nder pur les cases d'Monsieur Littleton: pur quel inconuenience, ils fueront dernierment tolles de cest lieur, et cy vn foits pluis admotes al request des gentle homes, students en le ley dengleterre
Series: Goldsmiths'-Kress library of economic literature -- no. 243; Making of the Modern World
Publisher: Richard Tottel
Published: 1588
Place of publication: London
Language: roa; lat; eng
Number of pages: 171
Subjects: Real property; Early works to 1800; Land tenure; Law and legislation
Work titles: Tenures
Notes: Edited by William West, whose note to the reader appears on final leaf.

Colophon: Imprinted at London, in Fleetestrete within Temple Barre, at the signe of the Hand and Starre, by Richarde Tottell.

"Cum priuilegio." --foot of title page and colophon.

Collation: A-X⁸ Y⁴ ²A-²C⁸ [$4 (+Y3) signed]

Errors in foliation: leaves 104-170 printed 105-171.

In predominantly black letter type; some Roman and italic type.

Initials.

Includes index, signed W. West.

Some copies are printed on "quarto paper" --STC (2nd ed.)

First published 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" --cf. Oxford companion to law.

Pollard, A.W. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English books printed abroad, 1475-1640 (2nd ed.), 15748

Beale, J.H. Bibliography of early English law books. T33

Beale, J.H. Bibliography of early English law books, T65 (West's index only)

Catalogue of the Goldsmiths’ Library of Economic Literature, 243

Text in Law French; note to the reader in Latin.

Ex libris Richard Haynes -- George Dunn (his sale, Sotheby, 11 Feb. 1913, no. 125)

On cover is a very faded forged signature "Will. Shakespeare". Tipped into volume are 2 letters dated January 1927; the 1st from Samuel Aaron Tannenbaum to Joseph Q. Adams of Cornell University confirming that the cover signature is a forgery; the 2nd from Adams to Harvard Law School librarian Eldon R. James.

Bookplate of George Dunn, who purchased it in March 1896.

On a front flyleaf, ownership inscription of Richard Haynes of Inner Temple, in Latin; Dunn's annotations below, dating Hayne's signature ca. 1679.

With marginal annotations throughout in a contemporary hand; index has running headings in a 17th century hand.

Bound in at end is a gathering of 8 leaves, one of which has notes in a 16th century hand.

Ex libris Robert Kay -- Thomas Grantham -- Bequest of Henry N. Ess, 2000.

On front flyleaf, signature of Robert Kay (Kaye?), in a 17th century hand.

At head of front flyleaf and on title page 'Tho: Grantham' in an 18th century hand.

With 17th century marginal annotations, some extensive.

Ex libris Richard Coade -- Russell W. Taft.

Book label of Russell W. Taft on front pastedown.

Ink stamp of Richard Coade on title page and recto of final leaf.

Copy 2

A large paper issue.

Laid in: engraving with the caption "The true portraiture of Iudge Littleton the famous English lawyer"; signed P. Langhern.

Copy 3

A large paper issue.

Leaves ruled in ink.

Copy 1

Bound in contemporary vellum.

Bound in contemporary calf decorated with gilt fillets, corner and spine ornaments, and center medallion stamp; rebacked.

Bound in 18th century calf decorated with gilt fillets; 19th century marbled paper pastedowns and endpapers; rebacked.