Massachusetts Bay Colony | An early printing of the charter and laws of Massachusetts Bay

Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Charter Granted by Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary, to the Inhabitants of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New England ... Boston: B. Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1726-1727

Folio (292 x 197 mm). Contemporary sheep, covers bordered in blind, spine with raised bands in six compartments; worn. Housed in a black morocco backed box. [Bound with:] Acts and Laws, of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusett's-Bay in New-England ... [And bound with a session law continuation to November 23, 1727].

An early printing of the charter and laws of Massachusetts Bay

An unsophisticated copy of this early and important compilation of the Acts and Laws of the Province of Massachusetts. This example, bound with a continuously-paginated but separately issued printing of the session laws, extends the work to November 1727. As the 17th century editions of the laws are virtually unobtainable, the early 18th century editions, such as the present, are desirable. The 1726 edition is noted for the inclusion here for the first time of the newly adopted modification to the Charter, King Georges "Explanatory Charter" (pp. 13-14), whereby the position of the Governor was further strengthened: he was given sole power to adjourn the House of Representatives, and the right to veto the House's choice of their Speaker.

REFERENCE
Cushing 343 and 349; ESTC W7100 and W8435; Evans 2762 and 2900

PROVENANCE
I. C. Alden (signature and booklabel)

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.