Tracts on I. The Definition and Nature of Cross Remainders. II. Fines

1797. Presentation Copy From the Author, A "Profound" Scholar of Real-Property Law Preston, Richard [1768-1850]. Tracts on I. The Definition and Nature of Cross Remainders. II. Fines and Recoveries by Tenant in Tail. III. Difference Between Merger, Remitter and Extinguishment. IV. Estates Executed, Executory, Vested and Contingent. V. Contingencies with a Double Aspect. VI. The Succession by a Parent to a Child. VII. The Language of Powers. By Richard Preston, Esq. of the Inner Temple: Author of the Elementary Treatise on Estates, And Succinct View of the Rule in Shelley's Case. London: Printed for R. Pheney, Inner Temple Lane, Fleet Street, 1797. [xiv], 92, [32] pp. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Original publisher boards with recent cloth rebacking and printed paper spine label, untrimmed edges, hinges mended. Moderate rubbing, light soiling and minor scuffs to boards, small inkspot to front board, heavier wear to board edges and corners, which are bumped, "E Libris G. Carthew" in early hand to head of front free endpaper. Light toning to interior, light foxing in a few places, scraped-off name, with a small hole, above "from the Author" at head of half-title. $500. * Only edition. A conveyancer and a member of the Inner Temple, Preston wrote several treatises on estates and real property. As noted by the Dictionary of National Biography, his "knowledge of the technique of real-property law was profound, and his works on conveyancing are masterpieces of patient research and lucid exposition." Our copy of Tracts probably belonged to George Alfred Carthew [1807-1882], a solicitor and distinguished antiquarian, local historian and genealogist. The topics addressed in Tracts would have appealed to his professional and personal interests. Tracts is a scarce title. OCLC locates 7 copies in North American law libraries (Jenkins, LA County Law Library, Stanford, University of North Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, Washington University, Yale). Dictionary of National Biography III:1127-1128. English Short-Title Catalogue T65053. (Inventory #: 82469)