Mogg’s New Hackney Coach Fares c. 1810

Edward MOGG (publisher). Mogg’s New Hackney Coach Fares; calculated from, & accompanied by, an entirely new and correct admeasurement and arrangement of the several distances contained in the work; to which is added, an abstract of the laws, and a summary of the rates of watermen. London: published by Edward Mogg, [undated but c.1810]. 12mo (5 3/8 x 3 ¼ inches; 137 x 83mm). Pp. [i-ii; 1-] 248. Title with wood-engraved vignette of a Hackney coach. (Some light soiling, light surface damage to the final page). Contemporary sheep, gilt roll-tool borders to covers, the upper cover lettered in gilt ‘Mogg’s / New / Hackney Coach / Fares’ (somewhat crudely rebacked, rubbed, inner hinges repaired, free endpapers lacking). Provenance: M. Grosvenor (inscription, dated 4^th November 181?).

Now rare – this is probably because most copies of this work were in constant use: a recipe for a short life. The abstract of the laws governing cabs in London is particularly interesting: size of horses; number of passengers; abusive language; extortion; returning from the country; obligation to go; etc. and ending with 'Coachmen not to leave their Coaches unattended' with a penalty of 5 pounds (the equivalent of over $500 today). OCLC 940223092; and 316439321.