I've tweeted a bit recently about my small collection of antiquarian law books, Here's one more, although not a law book: instead, an original copy of William Lloyd Garrison's abolitionist newspaper, "The Liberator," from December 14, 1849. (Quick thread) 
"The Liberator" was an abolitionist newspaper published on a weekly basis from 1831 to 1865. You can read about it here. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liber…
Although I have the full issue, I mounted it in a frame with just the 1st page showing. The 1st page has some fascinating stories, such as this report of an argument in the Court of Common Pleas about a case trying to end school desegregation in Boston.
Note arguing for the plaintiffs was Charles Sumner, who would be elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts 2 years later. The case ended up going to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, where it was decided as Roberts v. Boston, 59 Mass. (5 Cush.) 198 (1850) (Shaw, J.).
Although the court rejected the constitutional claim, the Massachusetts legislature ended up banning school segregation in 1855. Some details about the case here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberts_v…
Another cool detail in the issue is that it seems to be signed or addressed on the top right, where it says "Elias Richards 2".
From what I can tell just googilng around, Elias Richards (1802-1887) was an abolitionist who was in some contact with Garrison. Here's a picture. masshist.org/database/viewe…
I don't know if that was a signature by Richards or an addressing to him, but I would guess it was his copy. Here's another issue in the collection of the National Museum of African American History & Culture that may also be an Elias Richards copy. nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_…
Anyway, I bought the issue around 15 years ago at an antique shop. I think it was $20. It was in a big stack of maybe 20 or 30 copies of the Liberator, all with different dates. I bought two copes, wish I had bought the whole stack. /end
Oh, and a reader notes that the "Elias Richards 2" may be "Elias Richards Q", and that makes me think "Q" may have been an abbreviation for "Esquire." Certainly possible. See, for example, this reference I found online:
This is interesting. By coincidence, another copy of The Liberator from just one week later (12/21/1849) is for sale on ebay right now. Notice the name-- Different name, but same place, also ending in 2/Q. ebay.com/itm/Fred-DOUGL…
Another theory: The "2/Q" is a "Q" that means "Quincy," where Elias Richards received his mail. It was an address -- to deliver the newspaper to Elias Richards in Quincy.
That theory seems modestly consistent with this image of a copy of the Liberator that has a name and "Lancaster, Pa" on the top, seemingly an address, as well, to far away Pennsylvania.
