The Montgomerie Charter, The Charter of the City of New York; Printed by Order of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City Aforesaid, printed in New York by John Peter Zenger, 1735. Considered Zenger's crown jewel, the printing of which was delayed due to his arrest, ten month imprisonment, and famous trial, being accused of libel by William Cosby, for which he was acquitted. Governor Thomas Dongan published New York City's first charter in 1686. The growing city eventually needed a revised and expanded charter, the writing of which began under the governorship of John Montgomerie in 1730. Montgomerie died in July of 1731. The new charter was put in to law by the New York City General Assembly in 1732. John Peter Zenger was called on to print the new charter, but his imprisonment and trial delayed the project, eventually being completed in late 1735. Disbound, in a custom made tri-fold case. 52 pages, with pages 12-13 misnumbered as 10-11. 7 1/4" x 11 1/8". A related example was sold at Doyle's Auction in 2014.

Competitive In-House shipping is available for this lot. Disbound, starts with the title page, which has a few light stains and small tears along edges, pages with sporadic minor stains, some very light foxing towards the back, the back page with a tape repair along outer edge, binding tight.