A Selection of Legal Maxims: Classified and Illustrated - Classic

In this review of A Selection of Legal Maxims: Classified and Illustrated, the bottom line is simple: this scanned 1854 edition is for readers who need a primary-source, historical reference of legal principles rather than a modern textbook. The reviewer finds the volume most valuable to legal historians, researchers, and collectors because it preserves the original pagination and marginalia from the Cornell University Library copy, and the scanned format makes the full text searchable and accessible. This review highlights the book's fidelity to the original and the practical limits of a scanned library reproduction.

Key Features

• Original 1854 edition: Provides direct access to the text as it appeared in the mid-19th century, useful for historical citation and context.
• Complete cover-to-cover scan: Every page of the Cornell University Library copy was scanned, preserving prefaces, tables, and any original marginalia for researchers.
• High-quality scanning process: Scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format, which maintains readable pages and clear reproduction of type and marginal notes.
• Library provenance: The copy is from the Cornell University Library print collections, providing a reliable archival source for provenance and authenticity.
• Includes original markings: Pages may show marks and notations present in the original volume, offering additional historical insight rather than a cleaned modern reprint.
• Digital accessibility: The scanned images allow readers to view the original layout and typography, valuable for citation and study.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at legal historians, scholars examining 19th century legal thought, and collectors who value original printings and library-catalog provenance. Researchers who need to quote or analyze the original wording, typography, or marginalia will appreciate the faithful reproduction offered by the scan.

Readers seeking a modern, annotated, or up-to-date practical legal guide should look elsewhere; this edition is a historical document rather than a contemporary commentary or practice manual. Those who require error-free cleaned text for rapid reading may also prefer a modern reprint or transcription.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Faithful preservation of the 1854 text and original layout supports accurate historical citation.
• High-quality APT BookScan and JPG 2000 conversion keep pages legible for research and reference.
• Inclusion of original library marks and notations can add contextual value for scholars.
• Provenance from the Cornell University Library gives the copy archival credibility.

Cons

• As a scanned library copy, the volume may contain marginalia and marks that some readers find distracting.
• Not a modern annotated edition, so it lacks contemporary commentary or editorial updates for current practice.

Specifications

Title	A Selection of Legal Maxims: Classified and Illustrated
Author	Herbert Broom
Original Publication Year	1854
Source Copy	Cornell University Library print collections
Scanning Method	APT BookScan
File Format	JPG 2000 images of scanned pages
Condition Notes	All titles scanned cover to cover; pages may include marks and marginalia

Our Verdict

This scanned 1854 edition is a worthwhile acquisition for anyone needing a primary-source reference or archival copy of Herbert Broom's selections of legal maxims; it is particularly good value for scholars who value original pagination and library provenance, though casual readers seeking modern commentary should consider more recent editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a modern reprint?
Answer. No, this is a scanned copy of the original 1854 volume from the Cornell University Library, not a modern typeset reprint.

Will pages be clean and free of marks?
Answer. Pages may include marks, notations, and marginalia present in the original library volume, which are preserved in the scans.

What file format was used for the scan?
Answer. The scans were produced using an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 image files for preservation.