Bidspirit auction | 1860. Butts, I. R. The

1860. Butts, I. R. The Business Man's Law Library, and Practical Assistant. I. R. Butts & Co. - This antique octavo legal reference work is titled The Business Man's Law Library, and Practical Assistant, authored by I. R. Butts with the assistance of members of the Bar. Published in Boston by I. R. Butts & Co. in 1860, the text was designed as a comprehensive practical guide for various trades and professions, including merchants, mechanics, notaries, and lawyers. The volume is bound in contemporary full tan sheepskin leather and features a red leather title label on the spine with gilt-stamped text reading BUSINESS MAN'S LAW LIBRARY AND Practical Assistant WITH SUPPLEMENT. The work includes sections on the execution of deeds, duties of executors, and liabilities of minors, as well as a distinct internal title page for the Merchant's Assistant and Common Carrier's Guide. The front flyleaf contains a contemporary pencil ownership inscription that reads Mr Benjamen French Eddytown N Y Book. The leather binding exhibits significant age-related wear, including heavy rubbing to the boards and bumped corners with exposed board material. The spine is chipped at both the head and foot, and the red leather title label shows minor surface loss. Internally, the paper shows moderate foxing and consistent age-toning throughout. A significant portion of the upper right corner of the internal title page for the Merchant's Assistant section is missing. The text block remains intact and the binding is structurally sound despite the external wear.