Description

Click here to see our other books! The Life of John Metcalf, Commonly Called Blind Jack of Knaresbrough, With Many Entertaining Anecdotes of His Exploits in Hunting, Card-Playing, &c, Some Particulars Relating to the Expedition Against the Rebels in 1745, in Which he Bore a Personal Share; and Also, a Succinct Account of His Various Contracts for Making Roads, Erecting Bridges, and Other Undertakings, in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Cheshire; Which, for a Series of Years, Have Brought Him into Public Notice, as a Most Extraordinary Character Anonymous 1809 Edward Baines : Leeds 7" by 4" [3], iv, [1], vi-vii, [1], ix, [1], 11-140pp SUMMARY An uncommon fourth edition of this touching first hand account of the life of John Metcalf, the father of the modern road, illustrated with a frontispiece, and rebound in a nice quarter calf binding. Illustrated,Leather Binding,Rebound Overall Condition: Very Good This book weighs 0.5 KG when packed UK Postage: £ 3.99 US Postage: £ 15.99 EU Postage : £ 13.99 European Postage: £ 14.99 Asia Postage: £ 18.99 Worldwide Postage: £ 19.99 DESCRIPTION The fourth edition of this work. An uncommon early edition of this work. Illustrated with a frontispiece. Collated, complete. Collated from Jisc from a copy held at the York Minster. A biography on the life of John Metcalf, who was also known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough or Blind Jack Metcalf. Metcalf was the first professional road builder during the Industrial Revolution. He was blind from the age of six, when he lost his sight after a smallpox infection. Despite his sight loss, he was accomplished in many fields, including diving, swimming, cary playing, and playing the fiddler. During the Industrial Revolution he build about one-hundred and eighty miles of turnpike road, mostly in the north of England. This prolificity earned his the reputation as being one of the fathers of the modern road. Written anonymously, though the biography was documented by his own account, just before he died. CONDITION Rebound in a quarter morocco binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, smart. Light bumping to the head and tail of the spine. A small amount of rubbing to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are age-toned with some spots. Frontispiece is repaired, with an additional leaf adhered to the reverse, repairing a long closed tear. Prior owner's ink inscription to the tail of page 140, 'William ... Barton'. Overall Condition: Very Good GLOSSARY OF TERMS Overall Condition (Dustwrapper condition rating is shown after that for the book itself, where a dustwrapper is present) Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear Very Good Indeed - Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy Very Good - Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy Good - Meaning not very good. Some more serious faults as will be described in the condition report under 'condition' Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair Fair - As with good only above but with other faults leaving a compromised copy even after repair Poor - Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete. We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them attractive none the less. Major defects will be described. GUARANTEE We offer a full money back guarantee on our descriptions. Please ask for details and conditions. We prefer PAYPAL. If you pay via PAYPAL we will post the item off the same or the next working day with the postage you have selected. Please note we cannot accept USD cheques