Greene, Robert | Probing the Elizabethan underworld

Greene, Robert

Theeves falling out: True Men Come by Their Goods, or, the Bel-man Wanted a Clapper. London: Printed for Henry and Moses Bell, 1637

4to (181 x 133 mm). Woodcut illustration on title-page, text in black letter, woodcut initials, printer's ornaments; bottom margin of F3 dampstained, lacks final blank F4. Full crushed reddish brown morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, gilt-ruled turn-ins, spine lettered gilt.

First published in 1592 as A disputation, betweene a hee conny-catcher, and a shee conny-catcher. It was one of the series of pamphlets on the Elizabethan underworld that Greene (1558–1592) composed towards the end of his life.

REFERENCE:

ESTC S103405; STC 12238

PROVENANCE:

Sion Coillege Library (stamp on title-page verso) (Sotheby's London, 20 July 1989, lot 28, sold to Bernard Quaritch)