A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis, Patrick Colquhoun — 2nd Edition

£250.00

A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis, Patrick Colquhoun — 2nd Edition

Name: A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis, Patrick Colquhoun — 2nd Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5922
Price: 250.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, C. Dilly, 1796

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xviii, [6], 473, [15].

Condition Report: Fair. While the internal text block remains remarkably crisp, clean, and tight for a late eighteenth-century volume, the exterior binding has suffered from significant wear and amateur restoration. The period half-calf over marbled boards exhibits heavy rubbing, bumped corners, and substantial edge-wear. Crucially, clear adhesive tape has been applied along the entire length of the spine and outer joints in a crude attempt to reinforce the hinges. Internally, the pages are notably bright with only faint scattered toning, successfully retaining the half-title and the requisite folding table opposite page 250, alongside an early ink ownership signature to the title page.

Catalogue Note: This Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged, was published anonymously 'By a Magistrate' shortly after the true first edition. Complete with the folding 'Summary View of the Prisoners' table and the half-title (ESTC T133506), the volume features an early ink inscription to the title page ('W Singleton, Landguard'), likely referring to Landguard Fort in Suffolk, an appropriate contemporary provenance for a work on policing and national security.

Patrick Colquhoun's groundbreaking treatise laid the ideological groundwork for modern policing, exposing the staggering scale of theft and fraud along the River Thames and directly leading to the establishment of the Thames River Police.

Early printings are scarce on the open market, particularly with the folding table intact.

Patrick Colquhoun's highly influential treatise offers a fascinating, granular look at crime in late Georgian London. Writing as a sitting magistrate, Colquhoun exposes the widespread theft, fraud, and vice plaguing the city's docks and streets, arguing passionately for a preventative, centralised police force rather than relying solely on harsh, reactionary punishments. His pioneering statistical approach and practical proposals fundamentally shifted public opinion, making this a cornerstone text in the history of criminal justice and the development of the modern British police.

Book Condition: Fair

Book Authors: Patrick Colquhoun

Book Publisher: C. Dilly

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Politics & Law

Book edition: Second Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 512

Book Publication Year: 1796

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Half-Leather)

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.