London: Printed for J. Cooke, [1774?]

Stagecoach robbery was very much a late eighteenth and early nineteenth century crime. It may seem surprising that a stagecoach of several people could be robbed in broad daylight, but highwaymen exploited the fact that even the Great North Road ran through lonely places such as Finchley Common, and that the coachmen were unarmed. Highwaymen’s reputation for daring was based on their willingness to risk a lightning attack even apparently against the odds. Elsewhere the Newgate calendar describes a highwayman who when a woman refused to part with her ring, settled for a kiss instead – the episode shown here stands in grim contrast.

7250.d.199, facing p. 65