An Original Hand Written and Signed Letter by Lawyer Sir James Fitzjames Stephen to Sir Henry James Maine. Letter dated 1884. A handwritten and signed letter to Maine 'Here is Your sixpence' Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, 1st Baronet,1829-1894 was an English lawyer, judge, writer, and philosopher. One of the most famous critics of John Stuart Mill, Stephen achieved prominence as a philosopher, law reformer, and writer. Sir Henry James Sumner Maine 1822-1888, was a British Whig comparative jurist and historian. He is famous for the thesis outlined in his book Ancient Law that law and society developed "from status to contract." According to the thesis, in the ancient world individuals were tightly bound by status to traditional groups, while in the modern one, in which individuals are viewed as autonomous agents, they are free to make contracts and form associations with whomever they choose. Because of this thesis, Maine can be seen as one of the forefathers of modern legal anthropology, legal history and sociology of law. Size 180mm x 115mm Condition is good. Light folding creases. Gum marks to rear.