SIGNET LIBRARY. [SANDY (George)] Compiler.. Catalogue of the Library of the Writers to His Majesty's Signet.1805

Edinburgh: Printed at the University Press, for the Society, First edition, 4to (280 x 220mm), [2], vi, [v]-xxviii, 707, [1]pp., with half-title, orig. boards detached, spine chipped, uncut. The Society of Writers to His Majesty's Signet was appointed funds, in the year 1755, to purchase Law Books for the use of members. From 1778 the best editions of books in other departments of Literature were added, with a view to the formation of a general Library. Works of Law, History, Belles Lettres, Sciences and Arts are all represented. First edition, first issue, without the index which was printed at a later date. A contemporary printed label on the upper cover alludes to the fact "The Members of the Society are requested not to bind their Copies of the Catalogue, till the Alphabetical Index, which is at present preparing, be delivered." Provenance: Bookplate of "The Hope Trust, 31 Moray Place, Edinburgh" to front paste-down.