The Trial of John Peter Zenger, of New-York, Printer: Who was charged with having printed and published a libel against the Government, and acquitted. With a Narrative of his Case. To which is now added, being never printed before, the Trial of Mr. William Owen, Bookseller, near Temple-Bar, Who was also Charged with the Publication of a Libel against the Government

London: J. Almon, 1765. 59, [1]pp. Ad leaf on verso of the final leaf. 8vo. Expertly bound in quarter calf and marbled paper boards. Minor paper repairs to title margins. 59, [1]pp. Ad leaf on verso of the final leaf. 8vo. Zenger's trial represented the first case involving freedom of the press in America: “One of the famous decisions in legal history, establishing the epochal doctrine of the freedom of the press” (Howes).

In 1733, John Peter Zenger published articles critical of the New York colonial Governor William Cosby in his newspaper, the New York Weekly Journal and was charged with libel. Represented by Andrew Hamilton and William Smith, Sr., the trial is particularly notable as the first use of truth as a defense against libel. The account of the trial was first published in New York in 1736, with various editions published in America and Great Britain in 1738. All early edition are very rare. The present later edition includes an account of a similar trial in Britain. ESTC T51691; Howes Z6; Sabin 106311