"CHARG'D WITH HIGH TREASON… HOW THEY BEHAV'D IN THEIR LAST MOMENTS": FIRST EDITION, 1720

(CRIMINALS). The Dying Speeches and Behaviour of the Several State Prisoners That Have Been Executed the Last 300 Years. London: J. Brotherton and W. Meadows, et al., 1720. Octavo, modern full dark blue calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, marbled endpapers. $1250.

First edition of the last words of almost 100 prisoners executed in Great Britain, along with brief accounts of their lives and crimes, handsomely bound.

Arranged chronologically from Lollard martyr William Sawtre in 1401 to Scottish spy William Gregg in 1708, this compilation presents the final words of prisoners executed for high treason or heresy, along with descriptions of their last moments, lives and characters. Subjects include Sir Thomas More, Mary Queen of Scots, King Charles I and Sir Walter Raleigh along with many less well-known names. The preface cites a related but separate work published in 1719, The Compleat Collection of State-Tryals and Proceedings upon Impeachments for High Treason, which is now attributed to Thomas Salmon; it seems possible that the anonymously published Dying Speeches may have been compiled by Salmon as well. ESTC T11590. Goldsmiths' I:5916. A few instances of early penciled underlining and bracketing. Early inked owner's name on preliminary leaf; laid-in armorial bookplate of previous owner John Dunning, 1st Baron Ashburton, the eminent lawyer and politician.

Fine condition.