(London Underground) | Four titles exploring cheats, frauds, and tricksters

(London Underground)

A group of four title

Lot includes: (Barrington, George). The Frauds of London Displaying the Numerous and Daring Cheats and Robberies Practiced upon the Stranger and the Unwary … London: William Cole, [N.d., but before 1829]. 12mo (170 x 98 mm). Hand-colored folding frontispiece; splits to folds of frontispiece repaired on verso, browning and scattered spotting. Modern half calf and marbled paper covered boards, spine gilt lettered, front wrapper bound in. — King, Richard. The Cheats of London Exposed … London: J. Cook, [N.d., but circa 1780]. 8vo (164 x 95 mm). Engraved frontispiece, two engraved plates; some foxing and soiling, top margin trimmed close with a few page numbers shaved. Early marbled paper wrappers; some chips with loss, splits to folds. Provenance: David Laing Philips (bookplate to front wrapper). — King, Richard, Esq. The New Cheats of London Exposed … London: Alex Hogg, [N.d., but circa 1795]. 8vo (177 x 105 mm). Engraved frontispiece; no plates present, browning, scattered spotting. Early marbled paper wrappers; some chips, folds fragile. Provenance: David Laing Philips (bookplate to front wrapper). — (Thomson, John, attributed to). The Tricks of the Town: Or, Ways and Means for Getting Money. London: J. Roberts, 1732. 8vo (188 x 109 mm). Woodcut headpiece and initial; browning and spotting. Modern marbled paper wrappers. ESTC T51724. 

Group lots not subject to return. 

Metropolitan villainy  

"In a great metropolis, like London, where trade and commerce have arrived at such an astonishing height, and where, from the extensive transactions in the funds, and the opulence of the people, the interchange of property is so expanded, it ceases to be a matter of wonder that forgeries and frauds should prevail to a very great degree …" (Barrington, p. 3).