An original Autograph Letter Signed Jos: Ady, Accountant, informing his unsuspecting correspondent that Ady is able to inform you of something he believes considerably to your advantage on receipt of twenty shillings for his trouble by Post Office order or otherwise on a promise of one fourth part when recovered.
by ADY, Joseph
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
7 York Steet, Charlotte Street [London], undated, c.1850. 7 x 7 inches, in worn condition, laid down. A remarkable surviving manuscript record of Victorian low life. Joseph Ady (17701852) was a notorious English impostor. His career is recorded by De Quincey in an essay on Secret Societies. Ady was at one time a hatter in London, but failing in that business he hit upon the device of raising funds by means of circular letters. He would look up the lists of unclaimed inheritances, dividends, and bequests, and then write, without stamping his letters, to any people of those names that he could find, offering to produce something to their advantage on payment of 20/-. In numerous instances he evaded the law and baffled the magistrates and post-office authorities.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Julian Browning Rare Books & Manuscripts (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 17370
- Title
- An original Autograph Letter Signed ‘Jos: Ady, Accountant’, informing his unsuspecting correspondent that Ady “is able to inform you of something he believes considerably to your advantage on receipt of twenty shillings for his trouble by Post Office order or otherwise on a promise of one fourth part when recovered.”
- Author
- ADY, Joseph
- Book Condition
- Used
- Place of Publication
- 7 York Steet, Charlotte Street [London], undated, c.1850
Terms of Sale
Julian Browning Rare Books & Manuscripts
Guarantee. All items are sent on approval and may be returned immediately if unacceptable for any reason. All letters and documents are guaranteed genuine and as described.
About the Seller
Julian Browning Rare Books & Manuscripts
Biblio member since 2006
London
About Julian Browning Rare Books & Manuscripts
We present an on-line Catalogue of over 1350 Books, Autographs, Autograph Letters & Historical Manuscripts for sale. We specialise in historical manuscripts 1450-1950 in all fields.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Device
- Especially for older books, a printer's device refers to an identifying mark, also sometimes called a printer's mark, on the...