Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$122.96 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Original boards have usual wear, scuffs for age. Front hinge has had repair work and is partially coming away from spine. Content is clean and has light toning. United Presbyterian College library label on paste doown. 203pp.
Seller: BoundlessBookstore, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Price: US$134.49 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: First edition of the author and magistrate's most important social tract. 1/2 leather rebound. Light wear to boards. Content mainly clean with some light toning. No DJ.
Seller: BoundlessBookstore, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Price: US$200.00 + shipping
Description: xv, 127 [1] pp. 8vo, disbound. Clean.
Seller: Jeffrey H. Marks, Rare Books, ABAA, Rochester, NY, U.S.A.
Fielding, Henry. An Enquiry Into the Causes of the Late Increase of Robbers, &c.. , 1751.
Price: US$250.00 + shipping
Description: London, 1751. 2nd ed. 12mo. Fielding on Crime and the Evils of Gin Fielding, Henry [1707-1754]. An Enquiry Into the Causes of the Late Increase of Robbers, &c. With Some Proposals for Remedying this Growing Evil. In Which the Present Reigning Vices are Impartially Exposed; And the Laws that Relate to the Provision for the Poor, And to the Punishment of Felons are Largely and Freely Examined. By Henry Fielding, Esq; Barrister at Law, and One of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, And for the City and Liberty of Westminster. London: Printed for A. Millar, 1751. xxxii, 203, [1] pp. With a half-title. 12mo (6-1/4" x 3-3/4"). Later patterned cloth, gilt title to spine, edges rouged, endpapers renewed. Light rubbing to boards and extremities, some fading to spine, corners bumped, hinges cracked, rear board just starting at foot but secure, faint soiling and dampstaining to rear pastedown. Light toning to interior, light foxing in a few places, small faint dampstain to lower right corner of first and last quarter of text block, text affected in places without loss to legibility, slight crack in text block between pp. 116-117, all leaves secure. $250. * Second edition, published the same year as the first. This tract by the great writer draws attention to the social evils of the time, gin consumption among the poor especially. An influential piece, it inspired a bill to restrict gin production and Hogarth's famous engraving, "Gin Lane." The advertisement on the last page, possibly written by Sir John Fielding, is headed "To the Public." It advertises a domestic employment agency that offers servants free of "the rude Behaviour and Insolence of Servants of all Kinds" that has "become a general complaint." As mentioned above, two editions were published in 1751 by Millar. There is also an imprint of the first edition published in Dublin in 1751 by M. Faulkner. English Short-Title Catalogue T89871.
Seller: The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd., ABAA ILAB, Clark, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$365.05 + shipping
Description: pp xxxii + 203 Contemporary boards - later spine. Internally very good with very slight browning, small label with symbol (in ink), and small stamp (possibly same symbol), on inside cover. Binding firm. Moderate wear to boards. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall
Seller: LONGLAND BOOKS, Totteridge, LDN, United Kingdom
Price: US$417.56 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: xv 127pp + 1 advert page, attractive modern speckled calf by Riviere, two red spine labels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, some sections browned, 8vo (12.5x21cm), [Cross III 320, Kress 5113]
Seller: Flora Books, Mears Ashby, United Kingdom
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 12mo. xxxii, 203pp., [1]. Full brown calf binding with raised bands and red leather title label on spine. Right front flyleaf removed otherwise book in very good condition. Half title page is present. Very light edge wear to boards and head of spine. Armorial bookplate of Wm. Constable, Esq. F.R.S. & F.A.S. on front paste down. A newer bookplate of Donald L. Stone on rear paste down. Old small paper label bottom of spine.
Seller: Americana Books, ABAA, Stone Mt, GA, U.S.A.
Fielding, Henry. An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers, &c.. , 1751.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Description: London, 1751. 1st ed. Fielding's Proposals to Reduce Crime Fielding, Henry [1707-1754]. An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers, &c. With Some Proposals For Remedying This Growing Evil. In Which The Present Reigning Vices Are Impartially Exposed; And The Laws That Relate To The Provision For The Poor, And To The Punishment Of Felons Are Largely And Freely Examined. London: Printed for A. Millar, 1751. xv, [1], [1]-127, [1] pp. Octavo (7-3/4" x 4-3/4"). Recent quarter morocco over cloth, gilt title to spine, endpapers renewed. Light toning to text, somewhat heavier in places, light foxing to a few leaves, light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. A handsome copy. $500. * First edition. This tract by the great writer draws attention to the social evils of the time, gin consumption among the poor especially. An influential piece, it inspired a bill to restrict gin production and Hogarth's famous engraving, "Gin Lane." The advertisement on the last page, possibly written by Sir John Fielding, is headed "To the Public." It advertises a domestic employment agency that offers servants free of "the rude Behaviour and Insolence of Servants of all Kinds" that has "become a general complaint." A second edition with minor revisions was published in 1751. There is also a Dublin imprint of the first edition issued in 1751 by M. Faulkner. English Short-Title Catalogue T89870.
Seller: The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd., ABAA ILAB, Clark, NJ, U.S.A.
Fielding, Henry. An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers, &c.. , 1751.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Description: London, 1751. 1st ed. "Proposals For Remedying This Growing Evil" Fielding, Henry [1707-1754]. An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers, &c. With Some Proposals For Remedying This Growing Evil. In Which The Present Reigning Vices Are Impartially Exposed; And The Laws That Relate To The Provision For The Poor, And To The Punishment Of Felons Are Largely And Freely Examined. London: Printed for A. Millar, 1751. xv, [1], [1]-127, [1] pp. Octavo (7-3/4" x 4-3/4"). Recent quarter morocco over cloth (by Sangorski and Sutcliffe), gilt title to spine, endpapers renewed. Moderate toning to interior, light foxing to a few leaves and rear of text, light soiling and a few tiny faint stains to title page, "II" in small early hand near its upper-outside corner, a small strip of paper trimmed from its top-edge. A handsome copy. $500. * First edition. This tract by the great writer draws attention to the social evils of the time, gin consumption among the poor especially. An influential piece, it inspired a bill to restrict gin production and Hogarth's famous engraving, "Gin Lane." The advertisement on the last page, possibly written by Sir John Fielding, is headed "To the Public." It advertises a domestic employment agency that offers servants free of "the rude Behaviour and Insolence of Servants of all Kinds" that has "become a general complaint." A second edition with minor revisions was published in 1751. There is also a Dublin imprint of the first edition issued in 1751 by M. Faulkner. English Short-Title Catalogue T89870.
Seller: The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd., ABAA ILAB, Clark, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Description: Second edition. xxxii, 203, [1] pp. 12mo. Second edition with revisions of Fielding's most important social tract, written as chief magistrate, "the most remarkable of his social tracts - a work as important for what it reveals about his temperament and character as for the remedies it prescribes for the disorders of the commonwealth" (Battestin, pp. 513-4). Fielding advocates reforms to the penal code that would curb the social ills - drunkenness, gambling, prostitution, theft - that plagued mid-18th century England. The social order can only be maintained by instilling fear in the general population, and punishment should be harsh and swift. Executions, instead of being public spectacles, should arouse fear and terror and should be solemnly conducted in secret. Cross III, p. 320. Provenance: William Frith (ex dono inscription on title); Louis & Anne Marie Davidson (bookplate) Contemporary calf. Rebacked, corners worn
Seller: James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$500.00 + shipping
Description: Second edition. xxxii, 228 pp. 12mo. Second edition with revisions of Fielding's most important social tract, written as chief magistrate, "the most remarkable of his social tracts - a work as important for what it reveals about his temperament and character as for the remedies it prescribes for the disorders of the commonwealth" (Battestin, pp. 513-4). Fielding advocates reforms to the penal code that would curb the social ills - drunkenness, gambling, prostitution, theft - that plagued mid-18th century England. The social order can only be maintained by instilling fear in the general population, and punishment should be harsh and swift. Executions, instead of being public spectacles, should arouse fear and terror and should be solemnly conducted in secret. Cross III, p. 320 Contemporary calf. Rebacked, corners worn; half-title darkened and with contemporary ownership signature, loss to title page top right not affecting text
Seller: James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$563.58 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: in which the present reigning vices are impartially exposed, and the laws that relate to the provision for the poor, and to the punishment of felons are largely and freely examined, library buckram, 'duplicate' in manuscript at base of title-page, scattered underlining in red to 10 leaves, initial and final leaves dust-soiled, a nice copy; first edition; 128 pages.
Seller: Tiger books, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Price: US$1138.95 + shipping
Description: 8vo. pp. xv, 127, [1]. A fine copy in modern half calf. First Edition. One of several works dealing with social vices and legal questions written by the novelist and magistrate. The work is dedicated to Lord Hardwicke, then lord chancellor, and includes discussion of robbery, drunkenness, gaming, poor laws, the punishment of receivers of stolen goods, vagabonds and vagrancy laws, apprehending felons, difficulties attending prosecutions, the trial and conviction of felons, &c. The great concern over excessive gin-drinking, mirrored in Hogarth's 'Gin Lane', led to the passage of the restrictive Gin Act later that year. Goldsmiths' 8657. Kress 5112. NCBEL II 930. Sweet & Maxwell I.362.31.
Seller: D & E LAKE LTD. (ABAC/ILAB), Toronto, ON, Canada
Price: US$1216.82 + shipping
Description: 8vo., 8 X 4.5 Inches pp. xv + 127 + [1]. Bound in original full calf gilt, spine in compartments with raised bands and gilt lettering upper board hinges cracked bout sound, with the heraldic crest of the Dukes of Bedford on the boards and with a small shelf number ticket from Woburn Abbey on the front paste-down endpaper. While principle judge at Bow Street Police Court, Henry Fielding formed a group of "thief-takers" which laid the foundations for the Metropolitan Police force also known during his time as the "Bow Street runners". Having focused on the working classes in his analysis of the Commonwealth, Fielding urged parliament to address the issues leading to street gangs and highwaymen. He proposed reforms to the "expensive Diversions" that he believed exacerbated criminal activity, such as gaming houses and gin shops. The enduring impact of Fielding's work was evident in criminal legislation introduced in 1751-2. Overlooking the upper classes in his inquiries, he was of the view that those with luxury were above the law, erroneously noting instead the correlation between low income and joblessness with criminal behaviour. These themes and areas of concern were also evident in "Amelia" his final novel published in December 1751. This remains his most influential piece of political economy. There were two editions of this work both dated 1751. This is the first of the two issues with 127pp instead of 203pp.
Seller: Marrins Bookshop, Folkestone, KENT, United Kingdom
Price: US$1216.82 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: An uncommonly bright copy of this tract by Henry Fielding regarding the growing crime rates in the 1750s. Written by Henry Fielding, a noted jurist and magistrate. This work was published the same year he presided over the trial of notorious criminal James Field.Regarded as Fielding's most important social tract. Fielding was principle judge of the Bow Street Police Court and drafted several bills to reorganise and reform the constabulary. He also authorised frequent and successful raids against street gangs, highwaymen and gaming houses. He also formed the 'thief-takers' who later became known as the 'Bow Street Runners'.With errata to the final leaf recto and a note to the public to the verso.ESTC reference no: T89870.Fielding talks of provisions for the poor, punishments of felons, fewer pardons, private executions amony many other aspects of law enforcement. His concern for the excessive gin drinking led to the passing of the 1751 Gin Act which was an order to reduce the consumption of spirits. In recent marbled boards. Externally, fine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are extremely bright. Occasional light spots to pages. Fine
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom