Fine Books & Manuscripts

[NEW YORK CITY–CRIME] MACKEEVER, Samuel A. (1848–?). Glimpses of Gotham and City Characters. New York: National Police Gazette Office/[Richard K. Fox], [1880]. 8vo. 72pp. 2 full-page illustrated publisher’s advs. for “Footlight Favorites”. SECOND EDITION with “new illustrations”. 8 full-page woodcut plates, title vignette portrait of author. Publisher’s light pink pictorial wraps. (spine with few panel losses at ends, small void to lower wrapper corner near backstrip, covers dust soiled or toned with few stains to rear, closed tear to lower front wrapper near spine, corners creased, marginal fingering throughout; generally clean interior). RARE. Prior to our sale of the third edition in 2019, there have been no other copies located at auction for the past 70 years and none listed in any dealer catalogues. A rare look into New York City’s early hedonistic night life, particularly its siren women, who are depicted as prostitutes, pickpockets, and otherwise ill-intentioned charmers.