By Permission of [...the named...] Trustees of the Cottonian Library. This Plate being a Correct Copy of King John's Great Charter...

Bookseller Notes

Engraved facsimile of the Magna Carta, 'a sacred text, the nearest approach to an irrepealable fundamental statute that England has ever had (Pollock and Maitland, History of English Law), and the most celebrated legal document in the English-speaking world. The engraving was commissioned from John Pine (1690-1756), following the fire at the Cottonian Library in 1731, which resulted in the only copy known with King John's seal being severely damaged. It was Pine's copy that was used by William Blackstone for his translation in 1759. John Pine (1690-1756), was a publisher, print- and map-seller, as well as 'Bluemantle Pursuivant' at the College of Arms, and Engraver to the King's Signet and Stamp Office. The present issue, on paper, was published by the engraver's son and pupil, the portrait painter Robert Edge Pine (1730-1788). Given Robert Edge's dates, this must have been issued well 'after 1733' as suggested in on-line catalogues. Very scarce.