Mr. Gay's London: With Extracts from the Proceedings At the Sessions of the Peace, and Oyer and Terminer For the City of London and County of Middlesex in the Years 1732 and 1733 by A. P. Herbert

Mr. Gay's London: With Extracts from the Proceedings At the Sessions of the Peace, and Oyer and Terminer For the City of London and County of Middlesex in the Years 1732 and 1733 by A. P. Herbert lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.

Ernest Benn, 1949, Hardback in dust wrapper.

2nd impression. [First Edition: 1948] Illustrated by way of: Frontispiece; Black & White Plates; Illustrated endpapers and blanks;

From the cover: "Fresh light on the London of The Beggar's Opera is thrown by the Proceedings of the London Sessions of 1732 and 1733, of which Sir Alan Herbert came across an original copy that forms the subject of this colourful book. All the ingredients of Mr. Gay's opera are there — the highwaymen, the informers, the pickpockets, the hussies, the same humorous and fascinating flavour.

In the light of these pages, A. P. H. writes, Mr. Gay's story becomes terribly real and true… and realising for the first time the material he had to hand, one gives him credit for understatement and artistic restraint.

In taking us behind the scenes of Mr. Gay's London, and in making the most of their humour and pathos, Sir Alan commends his book to any who are inclined to doubt whether we have made any real progress within the last two centuries."

Good — in Poor Dust Wrapper. Edges of the dust wrapper frayed, now protected and sealed in mylar. Gently bruised at the head, tail and corners of the binding. Previous owners' inscription to the first blank. Pages lightly age-tanned.

Red boards with Black titling to the Spine. 136 pages. 8¾" x 5¾".

This book will be eventually reach my delightful website...(added to my Social History category.) but get 60% off buying from this very blog blog... Buy it now for just £2.60 + P&P! Of course, if you don't like this one there are plenty more available here!