Beschreibung:

MARITIME LAW] SELDEN, JOHN. Mare clausum seu de dominio maris libri duo ... London: Richard Meighen, 1635. First edition. 20th century cloth, all edges red. 11 1/8 x 7 1/4 inches (28.5 x 19.5 cm); [26] pp., [304], [14] pp. (lacking the preliminary and terminal blanks, which are counted in the ESTC pagination); with two fine engraved maps of Britain, and an emblematic woodcut at 2R2 verso. Light binding wear, missing the blanks as noted, Bar Association stamp on title, slight toning but generally a clean copy. Neat ownership inscription of Robert Discon dated 1709 at head of title. The first edition of this work claiming British sovereignty over the surrounding waters, which put forward the idea that the sea was as much subject to borders and dominion as the land. This contrasted with Grotius's notion of Mare liberum, the free ocean. Both works were intensely political in their nature and intent, but as a result of the continuing controversy between advocates of Mare clausum and Mare liberum, the concept of a three-mile limit to national waters evolved. This was subsequently replaced by most nations by today's more common twelve-mile limit. ESTC S117048; Sabin 78971; Alden/Landis 635/114. C The New York City Bar Association