Selections from the Judicial Records of Renfrewshire: Illustrative of the Administration of the Laws in the County, and Manners and Condition of the Inhabitants (2 Volume Set Signed and limited))

Paisley; 1876 and 1878: J. & J. Cook. Limited Edition. Quarto. In two volumes. A special edition of only 32 copies printed for subscribers, printed on Whatman's Hand-Made imperial paper. Vol. I (1876) continue with the subtitle: with notes, introductory and explanatory, and six fac-similes of old documents. an original photograph of the author signed and mounted as a frontispiece, viii, 358 pages, (1)pp. publishers ad. Original binder's ticket at rear. Vol. II. (1878) adds in its subtitle: the plan of Paisley, 1490-1545. Color folding plan frontispiece of paisley, xi[xii], [9] - 327 pages [1] pp. publisher's ad. In these 670 pages are found the history in many small details, the horrid condition of the weavers who petitioned to reduce the work day to ten hours, the slow agreement of the wealthy to follow the 1833 Parliament bill to end slavery (they had many slaves in the West Indies, often named in volume 1), much also on those who had clandestine marriages (outside the church), as well by the late 19th century were considered unduly harsh punishments, especially, for swearing. Bound by D. Carswell in full brown cloth, paper spine labels lettered in red and black. These volumes are seldom in near fine condition with the original pastedown labels. Light wear to corners and spine ends with labels fading, internally fresh without names, bookplates, or foxing, volume . A very nice set.