- The Life of John Metcalf, Commonly Called Blind Jack of Knaresbrough, with Many Entertaining Anecdotes of His Exploits in Hunting, Card-Playing, &C, Some Particulars Relating to the Expedition Against the Rebels in 1745, in Which He Bore a Personal Share; and Also, a Succinct Account of His Various Contracts for Making Roads, Erecting Bridges, and Other Undertakings, in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Cheshire; Which, for a Series of Years, Have Brought Him Into Public Notice, As a Most Extraordinary Character

Leeds, Edward Baines, 1809. Leather. An uncommon fourth edition of this touching first hand account of the life of John Metcalf, the father of the modern road, illustrated with a frontispiece, and rebound in a nice quarter calf binding. The fourth edition of this work. An uncommon early edition of this work. Illustrated with a frontispiece. Collated, complete. Collated from Jisc from a copy held at the York Minster. A biography on the life of John Metcalf, who was also known as Blind Jack of Knaresborough or Blind Jack Metcalf. Metcalf was the first professional road builder during the Industrial Revolution. He was blind from the age of six, when he lost his sight after a smallpox infection. Despite his sight loss, he was accomplished in many fields, including diving, swimming, cary playing, and playing the fiddler. During the Industrial Revolution he build about one-hundred and eighty miles of turnpike road, mostly in the north of England. This prolificity earned his the reputation as being one of the fathers of the modern road. Written anonymously, though the biography was documented by his own account, just before he died. Rebound in a quarter morocco binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, smart. Light bumping to the head and tail of the spine. A small amount of rubbing to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are age-toned with some spots. Frontispiece is repaired, with an additional leaf adhered to the reverse, repairing a long closed tear. Prior owner's ink inscription to the tail of page 140, 'William .. Barton&apos. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

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