Portraits, Memoirs, and Characters, of Remarkable Persons from the Revolution in 1688 to the End of the Reign of George II by CAULFIELD, James - 1819

London: H. R. Young; and T. H. Whitely, 1819. Hardcover. Fair +. Volume 1 only. xii, 171, [1] p., 39 leaves of engraved plates; 30 cm. Calf boards. Marbled endpapers. Bound in following the title page is a slip "To the Public" stating that two of the prints (Will Ellis and William Carstairs) would "be delivered in the second volume." A pencilled note below states that they were never published and that the biographical sketches of the two, found here, were omitted from the small paper edition. Former owner's inscription on blank page following front endpapers: "James A. Taylor Nov 1884 No. 2035." This volume contains descriptions and portraits of interesting people from the reigns of William III and Queen Anne, ranging from John Gale ("a singular Deaf and Dumb Man") and Harry ("an Old Raree-show-man") to Yorkshire Nan ("Prince George's Cap Woman") and Daniel Defoe ("a Political Writer and Novelist"). In Fair+… Read More

London: H.R.Young and T.H.Whitely, 1819-20. First Edition. A marvelous portrait gallery of scoundrels, eccentrics, convicts, thieves, beggars, strongmen, tightrope walkers, debauchées, giants, dwarves, prize fighters, spies, traitors, prostitutes, idiots, showmen, writers, paupers, and other remarkable persons who lived between 1688 and 1760. It is one of a number of similar works issued by printseller James Caulfield, whose customers in prosperous times included Earl Spencer, Charles Towneley, James Bindley, and other prominent collectors. "[Caulfield's] knowledge of English history and biography was minute and extensive, while his acquaintance with engraved British portraits was unequalled by any person of his time. His liberality in imparting his information, and even the mysterious secrets of the trade, was viewed with great jealousy by his rivals. The numerous works written and edited by him usually attain a high standard of excellence." (DNB). 4 Volumes. 8vo. pp. xii, 171; vi, 235; iv, 292;… Read More