HALE, Sir Matthew (1609-1676). The primitive origination of mankind, considered and examined according to the light of nature. London: William Godbid for William Shrowsbury, 1677. 2o (313 x 195 mm). Engraved portrait frontispiece, by F.H. van Houe (light staining to the edges of some pages; occasional slight foxing). Contemporary calf (rebacked, preserving original red leather label). Provenance: ownership inscription of Thomas Scott of Norwich on front free endpaper, with notes in the same hand; ownership inscription of Robert Ives on titlepage. FIRST EDITION. An attack on theories of polygenesis, and a defence of the Mosaic theory of the single origin of the human race. Wing H-258; Norman 965. -- HALE. A short treatise touching sheriffs accompts ... To which is added, a tryal of witches at the assizes held at Bury St. Edmonds ... on the tenth day of March, 1664. London: William Shrowsbery, 1683. 8o (162 x 104 mm). (Headings just shaved on a few leaves). Modern green morocco, gilt-lettered spine. FIRST EDITION. Hale, chief justice of the King's Bench under Charles II, was convinced of the existence of witchcraft, and encouraged the persecution of witches. He presided over a notorious witch trial at Bury St. Edmunds in 1664, which achieved prosecution by allowing hearsay evidence and testimony from involved parties. Thomas Browne, author of Pseudoxia epidemica, an attack on superstitous beliefs, testified as an expert witness at the trial, the earliest known example of a doctor testifying as an expert on a psychiatric matter. His testimony was later cited in the Salem witch trials. The Tryal has a separate title page dated 1682. Wing H-260; Norman 966. -- HALE. A collection of modern relations of matter of fact, concerning witches and witchcraft upon the persons of people. London: John Harris, 1693. 4o (198 x 155 mm). Later portrait of Matthew Hopkins, the celebrated witch-finder, tipped onto verso of front free endpaper (titlepage browned and spotted; some browning and foxing throughout text). Contemporary gilt-panelled calf (rebacked). FIRST EDITION. Wellcome III, p.193; Wing H-224; Norman 967. (3)

Details

HALE, Sir Matthew (1609-1676). The primitive origination of mankind, considered and examined according to the light of nature. London: William Godbid for William Shrowsbury, 1677. 2o (313 x 195 mm). Engraved portrait frontispiece, by F.H. van Houe (light staining to the edges of some pages; occasional slight foxing). Contemporary calf (rebacked, preserving original red leather label). Provenance: ownership inscription of Thomas Scott of Norwich on front free endpaper, with notes in the same hand; ownership inscription of Robert Ives on titlepage. FIRST EDITION. An attack on theories of polygenesis, and a defence of the Mosaic theory of the single origin of the human race. Wing H-258; Norman 965. -- HALE. A short treatise touching sheriffs accompts ... To which is added, a tryal of witches at the assizes held at Bury St. Edmonds ... on the tenth day of March, 1664. London: William Shrowsbery, 1683. 8o (162 x 104 mm). (Headings just shaved on a few leaves). Modern green morocco, gilt-lettered spine. FIRST EDITION. Hale, chief justice of the King's Bench under Charles II, was convinced of the existence of witchcraft, and encouraged the persecution of witches. He presided over a notorious witch trial at Bury St. Edmunds in 1664, which achieved prosecution by allowing hearsay evidence and testimony from involved parties. Thomas Browne, author of Pseudoxia epidemica, an attack on superstitous beliefs, testified as an expert witness at the trial, the earliest known example of a doctor testifying as an expert on a psychiatric matter. His testimony was later cited in the Salem witch trials. The Tryal has a separate title page dated 1682. Wing H-260; Norman 966. -- HALE. A collection of modern relations of matter of fact, concerning witches and witchcraft upon the persons of people. London: John Harris, 1693. 4o (198 x 155 mm). Later portrait of Matthew Hopkins, the celebrated witch-finder, tipped onto verso of front free endpaper (titlepage browned and spotted; some browning and foxing throughout text). Contemporary gilt-panelled calf (rebacked). FIRST EDITION. Wellcome III, p.193; Wing H-224; Norman 967. (3)