Fielding (Henry). A Clear State of the Case of Elizabeth Canning, who hath sworn that she was robbed and almost starved to death by a Gang of Gipsies and other Villains in January last, for which one Mary Squires now lies under Sentence of Death, 1st edition, London: A. Millar, 1753, initial five leaves with closed tear at gutter (title repaired to verso), final leaf detached and with few edge tears, some browning, disbound 8vo, contained in purpose-made book box with red morocco spine, together with a 2nd edition of the same title, contained in matching book box, Ibid., An Enquiry into the causes of the late Increase of Robbers, &c. with some Proposals for Remedying this Growing Evil..., London: A. Millar, 1751, small worm hole to initial leaves, puncture holes at gutter where previously sewn, modern marbled boards, 8vo, Southcott (Joanna), The Strange Effects of Faith; with Remarkable Prophecies, made in 1792, &c. of things which are to come: also, some account of my life, 4th edition, London: printed by W. Marchant, 1816, underscoring and occasional marginalia, modern cloth-backed boards, 8vo, Ibid., Letters, and Communications of Joanna Southcott, The Prophetess of Exeter: lately written to Jane Townley, Stourbridge: Printed by J. Heming, 1804, modern cloth-backed marbled boards, 8vo, Birkbeck (Morris), Letters from Illinois, London: Taylor & Hessey, 1818, six advert leaves at rear, original boards with modern reback, 8vo, plus other 18th & 19th century pamphlets etc.Qty: (18)NOTESOne of the many publications relating to the Canning case. Elizabeth Canning, a girl of eighteen, disappeared in January 1752, reappearing in a half-starved, diseased state a month later. She claimed to have been imprisoned by a gypsy, Mary Squires, and related her tale to the novelist Henry Fielding in his position as a Bow Street magistrate. Squires was tried at the Old Bailey and sentenced to death but the Lord Mayor, Sir Crisp Gascoyne, was suspicious and made investigations which resulted in Squires being proved innocent and pardoned. At this point many pamphlets appeared and London was divided between "Canningites" and "Egyptians". Canning was tried for perjury in 1754 and transported to America but never disclosed the full story of her disappearance.
