considerations regulating exchequer timely von vernon christopher (2 Ergebnisse)

First edition of this economic polemic, written on the brink of civil war and drawing on 30 years' experience at the Stuart treasury. Christopher Vernon (c. 1582-1652) was a career treasury man, in royal service by 1611 and rising to serve as Charles I's First Secondary of the Pipe Office and Surveyor of the Greenwax. In these offices he supported Charles's efforts to raise extra-Parliamentary finance, in particular by uncovering forgotten royal landholdings. A puritan, he maintained a relatively neutral position during the war, for which his family suffered during the Restoration. As Daniel W. Hollis observes, "one of the few remaining points of agreement among Stuart scholars is that the Crown's political difficulties, especially the conduct of foreign affairs and wars, stemmed in large part from inadequate revenues" (p. 419). Vernon's book illustrates the inner mechanisms of those revenues, focusing on the sheriff system of collecting royal rents and debts. ESTC R5970; Goldsmiths' 795; Kress 646. Daniel W. Hollis III, "The Crown Lands and the Financial Dilemma in Stuart England", Albion: A Quarterly Journal Concerned with British Studies, vol. 26, no. 3, 1994. Small octavo (140 x 89 mm), pp. [viii], 118. Twentieth-century calf, rebacked with earlier spine laid down, spine ruled and decorated in gilt and black, covers with blind roll border, edges sprinkled red. Nineteenth-century library ticket of the Scottish Institute of Bankers to front pastedown and ink library stamp to title page. Contemporary ownership inscription of one John Dunston, possibly the London merchant and governor of Company of White Paper Makers, to title page verso, and several contemporary annotations to margins. Terminal errata leaf torn and laid down on rear blank, affecting headpiece. Light rubbing, faint damp staining to lower outer corners, contents otherwise fresh: a very good copy.

[London?]: Printed by Tho. Harper, 1642. (illustrator). [London?]: Printed by Tho. Harper, 1642. Abuses in the Exchequer Exposed Vernon, C[hristopher] [c.1582-1652]. Considerations for Regulating the Exchequer, In the More Timely Answering, Better Husbanding, And More Orderly and Safe Conduct of the Revenues of the Crown into His Majesties Coffers, As Hath Been Heretofore Used by Sheriffes. And For Freeing the Subject from All Unjust Vexations Concerning the Same. With the Causes and Remedies of the Inconveniences Which Have Been Occasioned by the Breach of the Lawes, And Ancient Course of the Exchequer. As Also For the Better Enabling and Easing of Sheriffes in the Execution of their Offices, And Passing their Accompts. [London?]: Printed by Tho. Harper, 1642. [viii], 118, [2] pp. With a final errata leaf. Octavo (5-1/2" x 3-1/2"). Contemporary sheep, blind rules to boards, which are skillfully reattached to existing spine, blind tooling to board edges, pastedowns loose. Light rubbing and a few small nicks and scratches to boards, which are slightly bowed, light gatoring near fore-edge of front board, moderate rubbing to extremities, front joint just starting at head, corners lightly bumped and worn, gash to upper corner of rear board. Light toning to interior, very light foxing and soiling to a few leaves. A nice copy. $1,500. * Only edition. One of the earliest legal treatises on the Exchequer, this work exposed flaws and abuses in the revenue system with a particular focus on funds raised from land under the supervision of local sheriffs. Referred to as "custody lands," income from these estates was paid directly to the Clerk of the Pipe and was not audited. Vernon, who served in the Office of the Pipe in the Hereford Exchequer, argued that this made abuses more likely. OCLC locates 5 copies in North American law libraries (Harvard, Northwestern, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Library of Congress). English Short-Title Catalogue R5970.