[Vol. 1]: Laws of New-York, from the Year 1691, to 1751, inclusive. Published According to an Act of the General Assembly. [Vol. 2]: Laws of New-York, from The 11th Nov. 1752, to 22d May 1762. Published according to an Order of the General Assembly. The Second Volume, with A Table common to both Volumes

New York: New York General Assembly. Printed by James Parker at the New Printing-Office, in Beaver-Street, and William Weyman in Broad Street, 1762. Folio. (13 1/2 x 9 x 2 ; 13 x 8 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches). Vol 1: [6] i-iii [iv] 1-488 [6], pp. 488. Vol 2: [8] 1-263 [264] 265-268 [2] pp. 268. Non-uniform contemporary bindings: Vol. 1 in reverse calf, Vol. 2 in sheep. Both volumes contained in a cloth slipcase with morocco label

Both volumes of the rare initial digest of colonial New York's laws, with Benjamin Franklin listed as a subscriber.

A two-volume compilation of early New York colonial laws prepared by William Smith (author of the History of New York) and William Livingston. The Laws of New-York was "the first digest of the colonial statutes in force at that time," according to the DAB. The work is notable for the subscriber's list, which includes prominent names such as Benjamin Franklin, Charles Pinckney, and James De Lancey, among others. Also includes the second volume (often sold on its own), published ten years after the first. This latter volume includes much on the difficult years of the French and Indian War, with numerous acts related to raising money and troops, preventing stores from falling into French hands, and more. An important and handsomely produced pair of works, rarely encountered together.

Benedict 345; Tower 624, 625; Evans 6897, 9213; Brinley 2732, 2733; ESTC W6326, W6330; Sabin 53730, 53732.