LONDON.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

The London Hackney Cab Fares and Distances: First edition, scarce. Fares for horse-drawn cabs in 19th-century London could be highly unpredictable, and inexperienced visitors were often exploited. In 1853, the London Hackney Carriage Act increased regulations over the industry and tasked the Commissioner of the Police with enforcing them. This handbook was published to educate potential customers on the new regulations.Cab fares were stipulated at sixpence per mile within a four-mile radius from Charing Cross Road. Beyond this, fares were a shilling per mile. This is illustrated with a large folding map at the front of the handbook. Other regulations covered speed and quality of vehicle. We have traced copies at just five institutions in the UK and two in North America.

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