Antique 1716 British Act of Parliament United East India Company Queen Anne

Original 1716 British Act of Parliament concerning the United East India Company, dating from the reign of Queen Anne.

The Act is headed:

“An Act for Continuing the Trade and Corporation-Capacity of the United East-India Company, although their Fund should be Redeemed.”

The legislation continued the corporate existence, trading rights, franchises and privileges of the United East India Company despite provisions relating to repayment or redemption of the financial fund associated with the company. The text refers specifically to the Company's trade with the East Indies, its earlier charter and Acts of Parliament, and the substantial financial arrangements between the Company and the British government.

The title page identifies the parliamentary session as beginning at Westminster on 25 November 1710, in the ninth year of Queen Anne's reign, and continuing by prorogations to 7 December 1711. This collected printing was subsequently issued in London in 1716 by John Baskett, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, and by the assigns of Thomas Newcomb and Henry Hills.

The document consists of 6 pages, beginning at page 427. The second page and final leaf is unprinted on the reverse but shows substantial offset/print transfer from the facing printed page, as photographed. An early handwritten notation reading “East-India Company” appears at the top of the title page.

An original early-18th-century document relating directly to the parliamentary and financial foundations of one of the most consequential commercial organizations of the British Empire.

Date: 1716
Printer: John Baskett, London
Subject: United East India Company / British trade with the East Indies
Reign: Queen Anne
Length: 6 pages

Condition: Very good considering its age of more than 300 years. Age toning, scattered spotting/soiling, handling wear and creasing are present. There is an old handwritten notation at the top of the title page. The lower corners show folds/creasing. The unprinted reverse of the final leaf has considerable offset print transfer. Please refer to the photographs for condition.