8vo (244 x 145 mm). 4 folding street maps printed on onion skin of Harlem Commons. (One map with closed tear, some spotting). Original floral blind -embossed cloth, black morocco lettering-piece gilt (minor losses to spine ends, a touch of wear to corners, small stain lower cover). Provenance: John Adriance (inscription with note, "Not to be loaned under any circumstances"); John H. Southard (gift inscription from previous).

FIRST EDITION, a collection of legal documents relating to the ownership of land in Harlem, and including a section entitled "Deduction of the Title to Harlaem Commons" relating to the 1666 grant of Governor Richard Nicolls. Selden acquired over 300 acres of land in Harlem in 1825 from the heirs of one of the original grantees of land in Harlem pursuant to Governor Nicoll's 1666 grant.  John Adriance's brother, Isaac, represented that the land claim in Harlem was based on the new Harlem patent, a grant of confirmation to the freeholders and inhabitants of Harlem (printed in the present copy). [Tipped in:] 1p. manuscript copy of an 1832 deed between Dudley Selden and his wife to George Marshall. "THIS BOOK IS VERY SCARCE," and was likely printed only for members of the family. (Sabin 78969).