[Rarebooks] FS: "Fake" Jewelry Business -from our new FALL catalog

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

>From our new FALL catalog
<http://www.joslinhall.com/catalog_287.htm>

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mussey, Henry R. THE "FAKE" INSTALLMENT BUSINESS. New York; The University
Settlement Society: 1903.

"Being an outline of its development, an account of the revival of
imprisonment for debt and of the other outrages practiced by dealers under
cover of the law, together with suggestions for the destruction of the
'fake' trade".

A study of the so-called "fake" trade -a trade which, according to the
author, flourished exclusively in New York's East Side Italian immigrant
community. Poor immigrants were sold "gewgaws" and jewelry at
"outrageously inflated" prices, often 10 to 20 times what the objects were
worth, and signed a draconian contract for installment payments. The
corrupt dealer then arranged for them to miss a payment and would
immediately demand full payment of the balance. If the immigrant could not
borrow enough from friends to pay, a corrupt policeman would arrest him,
at which point he would either pay up or be sent to what amounted to
debtors prison until his friends and family finally settled the bill.

The author also includes proposed legislation to correct this scam. This
study was reprinted in 1936, and neither printing is common.

Softcover. 5.5"x9", 45 [1] pages; a poor copy, ex-institutional,
completely disbound with the pages and front cover all loose, and rear
cover missing. In addition the paper is very brittle and the pages and
cover are chipping. For all this, a very scarce item in any condition.
[06884] $125.00


Browse the entire catalog on the web-
<http://www.joslinhall.com/catalog_287.htm>



JOSLIN HALL RARE BOOKS, ABAA
Fine books of the 16th-20th centuries
on the decorative and fine arts & design

Post Office Box 239
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 USA
telephone (413) 247-5080

--> Subscribe to our free email News List and get
special discounts and offers on selected books!
<http://joslinhall.com/mailman/listinfo/jhrbnews_joslinhall.com>

--> See our new "SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER" catalog
<http://www.joslinhall.com/catalog_284.htm>

--> See our new "FIRE & ICE" catalog
<http://www.joslinhall.com/catalog_282.htm>

--> Stay up to date daily with our
Bookselling blog
<http://foggygates.blogspot.com/>

--> Our full-service website features
86 separate subject categories, and has
full search capabilities.
<http://www.joslinhall.com>

 ~~

TERMS:
All payments must be in U.S. funds and negotiable through a U.S. bank; We
accept checks, money orders, American Express, Visa and Mastercard. Books
may be reserved pending payment; Institutions may be billed; Standard
courtesies to institutions and the trade; Postage charges are $5.00 for
the first book, and $2.00 for each additional book. Shipments outside the
U.S. will be billed at cost. We accept returns if we are notified within
ten days of your receipt of the books-please ask for full instructions and
terms. Massachusetts residents must add 5% state sales tax.

As members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America we are
committed to upholding high professional standards and making sure your
bookbuying experience is enjoyable.