PICKPOCKETS, MADMEN, AND SWINDLERS: 1820 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF FAMOUS LONDON STREET-PEOPLE, WITH 62 ENGRAVED PLATES

(CAULFIELD, James). The Lives and Portraits of Remarkable Characters, Drawn from the Most Authentic Sources. London: Printed by W. Lewis; Published by J. Arnett, 1820. Two volumes in one. Thick 12mo, late 19th-century three-quarter purple calf over mauve pebbled cloth. $1200.

Later edition of The Eccentric Magazine, containing descriptions and portraits of 63 of the most familiar street-people in London and its environs over time.

A decidedly peculiar work, first published by G. Smeeton in 1812 under the title The Eccentric Magazine, Or Lives and Portraits of Remarkable Characters. Caulfield describes and depicts a virtual rogues’ gallery of pickpockets, do-gooders, madmen, swindlers, savants, and renegades— well-known faces about London-town, including “Moll Cut-Purse,” “The Pig-Pye Man,” Francis Battalia “Stone Eater,” Joseph Clark “Posture-Master,” Dick Swift “Thief-Taker,” Matthew Hopkins “Witch-Hunter,” Bamfylde Moore Carew “King of the Beggars,” and “Peter the Wild-Boy.” Additional engraved title pages in both volumes. Without portrait of Richard Nash.

Joints expertly repaired, occasional muted foxing.