First edition of the most significant contribution by Pinson de Ménerville (1808–1876) to the understanding of the legal framework specific to Algeria under French rule.
It was soon followed by several supplements, later integrated into the definitive 1872 edition (in three volumes). Having arrived in the colony as early as 1831, Ménerville held successive posts as lawyer, examining magistrate, and prosecutor, before concluding his career as the esteemed First President of the Court of Algiers (1874).
Illustrated with a folding table at the end of the volume.
Contemporary binding in cherry red half shagreen, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt dotted fillets and triple gilt panels, some rubbing to spine, marbled paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers, sprinkled edges, heraldic bookplate pasted on front pastedown.
Provenance: Copy belonging to Charles Cousin-Montauban (1796–1878), then brigadier general commanding the Mostaganem subdivision, with his heraldic bookplate mounted to the front pastedown.
Some occasional foxing.