[WEBSTER, NOAH]
GLANVILLA, RANULPHUS DE. Tractatus de legibus et consuetudinibus regni Angliae... London: printed by J. Streater, H. Twyford, and E. Flesher, the assigns of R. Atkins and E. Atkins esquires...to be sold by G. Sawbridge, J. Place, J. Bellinger, W. Place, T. Basset, R. Pawlet, C. Wilkinson, T. Dring, W. Jacob, C. Harper, J. Aymery, J. Pool, J. Leigh 1673. Noah Webster's copy, with his signature on the title page and notes in his hand on A2r and I4r. 20th century cloth. 5 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches; [10], 116, [16] ff, lacking initial and terminal blanks. Covers rather soiled, Bar Association stamp on title, crease and small stain on title just affecting the "N" of Noah, small tears to the outer margins due to rather friable paper. 17th century ownership inscription of J. P. Staples, together with those noted by Webster.
Noah Webster trained as a lawyer, studying under the future U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth. He later became one of the leading Federalists, editing the leading Federalist Party newspaper. Though his notes and signature in this book are undated, it likely belongs to the early period of his career, before the lexicographic studies that would result in the monumental 1828 Dictionary of the American Language. The notes are strictly legal in nature. Books from Webster's library are rare in commerce. ESTC R218448.