(Walton, Hannah) | A swindler and scam artist in petticoats

(Walton, Hannah)

A Narrative of the Exploits and Deceptions of Hannah Walton  … The Manchester Female Impostor. Manchester: J. Pratt and Liverpool: E. Wilmer, [1826/27]

12mo (178 x 102 mm). Woodcut portrait of Walton on title-page. Rebound in reddish brown morocco, smooth gilt-ruled spine, brown morocco lettering-piece; spine lightly sunned. 

Assumed first and only edition. Hannah Walton, a 23-year-old woman described as agreeable in her countenance ("which is almost a principal requisite in persons of her profession"), had craftily managed to hoodwink several local people out of money, silver spoons, fine clothing, etc. When finally caught and convicted, she was sentenced to be transported for a period of seven years.