1894 Legislation Appraisal

The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 by Robert Temperley, published 1895

This item is a historical legal publication titled "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894," authored by Robert Temperley, M.A. The book includes an introduction, notes encompassing all cases decided under former consolidated enactments, a comparative table of sections from former and present acts, and an appendix of rules, regulations, forms, etc., alongside a copious index. The physical characteristics indicate a bound volume with paper pages, likely an off-white or cream color, signifying its age. The visible cover or title page suggests a relatively clean and well-preserved state, consistent with the "good condition" report. There are clear black printed characters for the text, with varying font sizes to hierarchical distinguish titles, authors, and publisher information. A notable feature is the handwritten or stamped name "WAYNE M. KELSIE" with addresses "1525 CHESDEN ROW" and "P.O. BOX 25, HALIFAX, N.S. B3J 2L4 PH 429-6200" in the upper right corner, indicating a previous owner or library. The publishing details are prominent: "LONDON: STEVENS AND SONS, LIMITED, 119 & 120, CHANCERY LANE, Law Publishers and Booksellers." The publication year is clearly stated as "1895" (though the OCR suggests 1800, the context of the Act being 1894 makes 1895 more plausible for a contemporaneous publication). This indicates a late 19th-century origin, making it an antique legal reference. The craftsmanship appears to be standard for legal texts of its era, prioritizing legibility and durability, suggesting a quality binding, though not explicitly visible. No significant visible condition issues such as tears, significant foxing, or extensive water damage are apparent from the image, reinforcing the 'good condition' assessment. The overall appearance suggests a well-cared-for and historically significant legal reference.