Life of John Metcalf, Commonly Called Blind Jack of Knaresborough, with Many Entertaining Anecdotes of His Exploits in Hunting, Card-playing, andc. Some Particulars Relative to the Expedition Against the Rebels in 1745 and also a Succinct Account of his Various Contracts for Making Roads, Erecting Bridges, and Other Undertakings, in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Cheshire.

vi, 156pp. It what is likely a slightly later, early 19th century binding. Half leather over marbled boards, raised bands and red title label to spine. (Corners a little rounded, rubbed on spine joints and corners.) Gutter cracked between front endpapers. Previous owner’s name on verso of first page and on title page. Pages slightly toned, with finger marks on early pages. Some sporadic staining and spotting. Small holes in p 5. 12mo. Memoirs of English eccentric John Metcalf (1717-1810), blinded by smallpox as a child but lived an unusually active life riding, swimming, gambling, music, and long-distance walking. An innovative road-builder, he also raised troops against the 1745 Jacobite rebellion and was present at the battles of Falkirk and Culloden. ESTC T92160. 1st edition not in Boyne, who notes only the second and subsequent editions (Boyne, A Yorkshire Library, p. 246). Scarce.