A general abridgment of law and equity alphabetically digested under proper titles with notes and references to the whole. By Charles Viner, Esq; [vol. 13: Factor to Funeral Charges; vol. 14: Game to Judgment; vol. 15: Judicial to Nosmes]

Aldershot: Aldershot in Hampshire near Farnham in Surry: printed for the author, by agreement with the law-patentees. [1742], 1742. 1st Edition . Leather. Good. Description: Volumes 13-15 (only) of 23. Folio (13¼ × 8½ in): [16], 563 p.; [16], 637 p.; [16], 598 p. Early calf. · Register: 2º: [pi]-4[pi]² 5[pi]1 B-7D² (this copy lacks 2[pi]1); [pi]² 2[pi]1 3-4[pi]² 5[pi]1 B-7Y² 7Z1; [A]² [pi]1 a-b² [c]1 B-7M² 7N1. · Condition: Imperfect: Volume 13 lacks the dedication leaf and, although the preface with corrected final paragraph pasted down is present, the pasted errata panel is not; volume 14 lacks the pasted errata panel. Covers worn and scraped, labels missing, top boards of vols. 13 and 14 detached; armorial bookplate of "Pat'k Heron West Lodge Hamps. Gent." on front paste-downs; very light dampstain in extreme lower margin. · Comments: First editions of the first three volumes to be published, though the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth in alphabetical order. Each volume bears the same generic, undated title-page; probably these volumes were sold by Oxford from the stock bequeathed by Viner. Viner's Abridgment was self-published and sold largely by subscription. Viner willed the remaining stock to Oxford to found the Vinerian Professorship in the Common Law. Oxford published the last two volumes (the index and "Evidence") and halved the price of the set in order to liquidate the stock. Viner began publication in 1741 with the letter F, since that was where D'Anvers had left off his abridgment. Though criticized for its antiquated organization and lack of cohesion in exposition, it is nevertheless valued because of its comprehension of every decision reported to the time of publication. Volumes 13 and 14 are printed on paper watermarked in the corner; no watermarks are visible in volume 15. · References: Johnson 198; Worrall 4; Bridgman 350; S&M 1:20(23); Marvin 711; Holdsworth, HEL 12:164-168; Cowley 238; Strickland Gibson, 'Charles Viner's General Abridgment of Law and Equity' in Oxford Bibliographical Society, Proceedings & Papers, vol. II, part IV, p. 227-325 (1930).