Report of the Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes

£175.00

Report of the Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes

Name: Report of the Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6326
Price: 175.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Report of the Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes [with] Minutes of Evidence: Volumes I, II, & III, Great Britain. Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes — 1st Edition

Publication: London, His Majesty's Stationery Office (H.M.S.O.), 1912

Formatting: Folio, 4 command papers bound in 3 volumes.

Condition Report: Good. The custom library cloth bindings are structurally sound and remarkably firm, showing only mild shelf-wear, light rubbing to the boards, and minor bumping to the spine ends. Internally, the text blocks remain tight; however, there is noticeable foxing and age-toning that predominantly affects the preliminary leaves, endpapers, and title pages. Despite these cosmetic blemishes and the standard institutional cancellation stamps, the primary text remains clean and highly legible, making this a robust and functional set for study.

Catalogue Note: First edition of the complete 1912 command papers (Cd. 6478, 6479, 6480, and 6481) for the landmark Gorell Commission. This set comprises the primary Report bound alongside all three volumes of the Minutes of Evidence, gathering the extensive testimony and findings that laid the groundwork for early twentieth-century British divorce law reform.

The volumes feature the cancellation stamps of St. Deiniol's Residential Library in Hawarden, the renowned institution founded by Prime Minister William E. Gladstone, adding an excellent layer of political and institutional provenance.

Complete contemporary sets containing both the report and the entirety of the evidence are scarce on the open market, particularly in secure, working bindings.

Convened in 1909 under the chairmanship of Lord Gorell, the Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes was a watershed inquiry in British family law. The Commission's findings famously recommended a significant expansion of divorce grounds and unprecedented legal equality for women. These massive volumes of evidence provide a fascinating, unfiltered window into Edwardian social mores, marital breakdown, and the rigid legal framework of the era, compiling testimony from judges, clergy, social workers, and ordinary citizens. A vital and immensely detailed primary resource for historians of gender, law, and social policy.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Great Britain. Royal Commission on Divorce and Matrimonial Causes

Book Publisher: His Majesty's Stationery Office (H.M.S.O.)

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1912

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Command Papers

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.