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Rare Books 27
SOCIETY FOR “PREVENTING AND PUNISHING OF FELONIES”
29. [DURHAM.] Rules and orders, for the
conduct and government of, and to be
observed by, the members of the Society
established in Gateshead, for the preventing
and punishing of felonies against their person
and property in the county of Durham.
Newcastle, printed by D. Akenhead, on the Sandhill.
[c.1790.] Broadside. Large folio (32.5 x 42cm) text
printed in two columns framed by typographic border, a
few contemporary annotations, some negligible dusting
and foxing, old folds, very good.
This rare late-eighteenth century broadside lists the
rules of the “Society established in Gateshead, for the
preventing and punishing of felonies against their
person and property in the county of Durham”. The
regulations are printed under twenty headings.
Members had to be resident in Durham and by paying
a subscription became entitled to the support of
the society in the event that they had property stolen
or were robbed. The funds of the society were used
for “payment of charges attending advertising,
searching for goods stolen … and in prosecuting
felons to conviction”. Committee meetings were
held in the treasurer “Mr. Methuen’s Long Room”.
Of particular interest is rule XVIII: “that the stealing
of game cocks game hens or chickens … is by no
means worthy of the consideration or deserving of
the least attention of this association …”
Not traced in ESTC. £450
LONDON “ARTIST IN FIRE WORKS”
30. [FIREWORKS.] J. Stratford, late Squire
and Stratford, artist in fire works, no. 24,
Union Court, Holborn. Opposite St.
Andrew’s church, London.
[London.] Burton, printer, 7, Fleet Market. [c.1820.]
Printed single sheet price list and invoice. Folio (21 x
32.5cm) completed in manuscript, old folds, very good.
This rare early nineteenth century printed price list
and invoice for the London “artist in fire works” J.
Stratford lists fifty eight different products. Among
the various fireworks are “sky rockets”, “air balloons
iluminated”, “water rockets”, “brilliant star with two
mutations”, “caprice wheel”, “Roman candles”,
“Chinese trees of silver flowers, with reports” and
“gold flower pots”. A “box for packing” could also be
purchased and all fireworks are advertised “with
printed directions for exhibiting”.
£250