A Foundational Work of American Parliamentary Law
📜 Antiquarian Selection · Late 19th Century Edition (1880)
Collector’s Note
Cushing’s Manual holds a distinctive place in American legal and civic history, standing at the crossroads between early parliamentary tradition and the emerging dominance of Robert’s Rules of Order. The Revised Edition—prepared during a pivotal shift in procedural authority—captures a moment when American deliberative practice was actively evolving, making it especially appealing to collectors interested in governance and legal development.
Well‑preserved volumes from this transitional era, particularly those retaining bright gilt, tight bindings, and clean interiors, have become increasingly desirable among collectors of legal history, parliamentary procedure, 19th‑century American publishing, and the institutional culture of civic and fraternal organizations.
Cushing’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice, first published by Luther S. Cushing in the mid-19th century, stands among the earliest and most influential American guides to legislative procedure—widely used throughout the 19th century in civic, legal, and deliberative assemblies.
This 1880 revised edition, edited by Edmund L. Cushing, reflects the continued evolution of parliamentary law at a pivotal moment—just as Robert’s Rules of Order (1876) began to gain prominence. As such, it represents one of the later family-authorized editions of Cushing’s system, capturing a transitional period in American civic and legislative practice.
Author Biographies
Luther Stearns Cushing (1803–1856), a Harvard-trained jurist, authored one of the earliest comprehensive American manuals on parliamentary law—providing an alternative to Thomas Jefferson’s earlier framework. His work became widely adopted in legislative and civic bodies.
Edmund Lambert Cushing (1807–1883), his brother, revised and expanded the manual after Luther’s death, refining the text for later 19th-century use. These later editions reflect both continuity and adaptation at a moment when parliamentary procedure in America was evolving.
This edition includes several early prefatory elements—“Advertisement to First Edition,” “Advertisement to Revised Edition,” and a “Publisher’s Statement”—offering insight into how the work was positioned and revised over time. These features add depth for collectors interested in the evolution of legal publishing and editorial practice.
Condition. Very good for an 1880 volume, with strong shelf presence and integrity. The original brown cloth boards retain their black embossed decorative elements, and the spine preserves its gold gilt titling, still clear and legible. Binding is tight with no cracking at the hinges, and the interior is clean with no ownership marks or bookplates. Expected, even age toning is present to the paper, along with minor bubbling to the pastedown that does not affect structure.
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