METCALF, John. The Life of John Metcalf, Commonly Called Blind Jack of Knaresborough. With Many Entertaining Anecdotes of his Exploits in Hunting, Card-Playing, &c. Some Particulars relative to the Expedition against the Rebels in 1745… And also a Succinct Account of his various Contracts for Making Roads, Erecting Bridges, and Other Undertakings in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and Cheshire. York: E. and R. Peck, 1795. First edition, 12mo (165 x 95mm.) Engraved portrait frontispiece by J.R. Smith. (Marginal loss to frontispiece affecting image, some loss to B6 text affected, tear to G1, browning and spotting throughout, lacking blanks.) Contemporary half calf (worn). Note: the extra-ordinary autobiography of John Metcalf who was rendered blind by smallpox at the age of six but who went on to become an expert horseman, soldier, cock-fighter, card-player and musician, as well as building over 180 miles of road. – And to include a lead plaque of John Metcalf (2).