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Herbert Asbury – The Gangs of New York – First Edition 1928
£975.00
First edition, first printing of ’The Gangs of New York’. Published by Alfred Knopf in New York, 1928. This is a very good copy. The quarter-buckram and paper boards are finely illustrated. The paper is toned and worn at the edges and corners and the buckram creased and bumped at the tips with one small chip. The text blocks are also markedly clean and are rough-cut. There are slight spots internally though they are mostly clean and are wholly free from previous owners ink. Overall, this is a very good copy.
The book details the rise and fall of 19th century gangs in New York City, prior to the domination of the Italian-American Mafia during Prohibition in the 1920s. Focusing on the saloon halls, gambling dens, and winding alleys of the Bowery and the Five Points district of Lower Manhattan, the book evokes the destitution and violence of a turbulent era, when colorfully named criminals like “Dandy” Johnny Dolan, William Poole (also known as Bill the Butcher), and Hell-Cat Maggie lurked in the shadows, and infamous gangs including the Plug Uglies, Dead Rabbits, and Bowery Boys ruled the streets. It includes a rogues’ gallery of prostitutes, pimps, poisoners, pickpockets, murderers, and thieves.
The book contains detailed accounts of the New York City draft riots in 1863. It also elaborates on numerous other criminal influences of the time, including river pirates and the corrupt political establishment such as Tammany Hall. Basis for the Martin Scorcese motion picture.
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- Description
Description
First edition, first printing of ’The Gangs of New York’. Published by Alfred Knopf in New York, 1928. This is a very good copy. The quarter-buckram and paper boards are finely illustrated. The paper is toned and worn at the edges and corners and the buckram creased and bumped at the tips with one small chip. The text blocks are also markedly clean and are rough-cut. There are slight spots internally though they are mostly clean and are wholly free from previous owners ink. Overall, this is a very good copy.
The book details the rise and fall of 19th century gangs in New York City, prior to the domination of the Italian-American Mafia during Prohibition in the 1920s. Focusing on the saloon halls, gambling dens, and winding alleys of the Bowery and the Five Points district of Lower Manhattan, the book evokes the destitution and violence of a turbulent era, when colorfully named criminals like “Dandy” Johnny Dolan, William Poole (also known as Bill the Butcher), and Hell-Cat Maggie lurked in the shadows, and infamous gangs including the Plug Uglies, Dead Rabbits, and Bowery Boys ruled the streets. It includes a rogues’ gallery of prostitutes, pimps, poisoners, pickpockets, murderers, and thieves.
The book contains detailed accounts of the New York City draft riots in 1863. It also elaborates on numerous other criminal influences of the time, including river pirates and the corrupt political establishment such as Tammany Hall. Basis for the Martin Scorcese motion picture.
