[Barrington, George] | Irish pickpocket and early Australian pioneer

[Barrington, George]
The Genuine Life and Trial of George Barrington, from his birth, in June, 1775 [sic], to the time of his conviction at the Old-Bailey, in September, 1790, for robbing Henry Hare Townsend … London: Printed for, and Sold by W. Clements, and J. Sadler, 1791

8vo (178 x 114 mm). Woodcut frontispiece depicting the robbery; some toning and discoloration, B3 and F3 shaved along fore-edge, some scattered staining. Modern blue holland wrappers, housed in a sturdy card folding-case.

Barrington (1755–1804) was an Irish-born pickpocket, popular London socialite, and author. His escapades, arrests, and trials were widely chronicled in the London press of his day. Having been twice sentenced to hard labor, was ultimately transported to Australia where he died in 1804. Scarce: ESTC records only 3 copies in New Zealand and Australian libraries while Worldcat locates six in U.S. institutions. No copies have sold at auction in recent memory.

REFERENCE:
ESTC T217710

PROVENANCE:
Henry [?Slin]zaker (inscription on F4v dated 1795)

Condition Report:
Condition as described in catalogue entry.

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