Caulfield, James | First edition of Caulfield's "rogues' gallery"

Caulfield, James

Portraits, Memoirs, and Characters of Remarkable Persons, from the Reign of Edward the Third, to the Revolution. Collected from the Most Authentic Accounts Extant. London: J. Caulfield ... and Isaac Herbert, 1794-95

2 vols., 8vo (255 x 165 mm). Titles, a profusion of plates, woodcut tailpieces; volume two with repair to title, first plate partially separated, foxing to both volumes affecting plates, some offsetting from plates onto text. In vellum, boards doubly ruled in blue, spines with two compartments, compartments dyed blue with gilt decoration, first compartments with title in gilt, second compartments with volume number in gilt, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers; rubbed, some stains to boards.

First edition. A colorful Who's Who of sorts, or "rogues' gallery," which includes biographical portraits of a notorious bookseller, incompetent criminals, James Poro and his parasitic twin, and Bampfylde Moore Carew, a cross-dressing conman and spurious clairvoyant (just to name a few). Handsomely bound in vellum. Scarce: while later editions are frequently seen, first editions are uncommon. 

PROVENANCE:

Car. C. James ... J. Hawkes (bookplate to verso of flyleaf)