Skillman's New-York Police Reports. Illustrated with Engravings. Written in 1828-1829

New York: Ludwig & Tolefree, 1830. First Edition. Half morocco. Marbled paper pastedown on boards. Near Fine. Early police lore, with colorful dialogue laced with the criminals' argot. New York City didn't even have a municipal police department until 1845, 15 years later, so this is a sort of pre-history, or shall we say, crime from a more "innocent" time. This copy is also rather luxuriantly bound, with straight-grained red morocco and a gilt stamped image of New York City's insignia on front board morocco by spine, and title and decoration in gilt on spine -- bound by Taffin. 8vo. 23 by 14.5 cm. 151 pp. Frontis plate wood engraving, followed by (truncated) five other wood engravings. The report is a collection of anecdotes shared with levity, capturing the sauciness, brazenness and cheekiness of the crimimal. A foretaste of the Police Gazette, also something not yet a thing. Occasional foxing and soiling, but overall clean. The binding has signs of wear but nonetheless remains lustrous. An unusually lovely copy of this most unusual book. (Inventory #: 20355)