The Society of Writers to His Majesty's Signet, Edinburgh, 1936

Solicitors in Scotland were formerly known as "writers"; The 'Writers to the Signet' were the solicitors who were entitled to supervise use of the King's Signet, the private seal of the early Kings of Scots. Records of that usage date back to 1369, but the Society was officially formed in 1594, under the direction of Sir Richard Cockburn of Clerkington, then secretary to King James VI.

The Society of Writers to His Majesty's Signet. With A List of the Members and Abstracts of the Minutes of The Society, The Commissioners and the Council, and The Early History of the Scottish Signet.

Published by The Society of Writers to His Majesty's Signet, Edinburgh. 1936 first edition. Printed by T. and A. Constable Ltd at the University Press, Edinburgh.

A very good maroon cloth hardback with gilt titles to spine. Some bumping and wear, with some scuffs to rear. Spine slightly sunned. Soundly bound. Signature of R. S. Lindsay to first pastedown and first free endpaper (Robert Strathern Lindsay, who is included in the Members list on p. 222 of the book, and joined the Society in 1920). The pastedown signature is written over a rubbed area of the inside front cover - perhaps over a previous owner's bookplate removal? 

Text is bright and clean throughout with the occasional minor mark.

Text in English.

xli + 520pp. Plus frontispiece and 2 Plates (all as called for).

Dimensions: approximately 330mm  x 220mm x 35-55mm.

A substantial volume. Weight: Approximately 2.54kg (unpacked).