The Gangs of New York; An Informal History of the Underworld (1928) | By Herbert Asbury | Garden City Publishing, Early Edition

A compelling early edition of The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld by Herbert Asbury, published in 1928 by Garden City Publishing Company.

First issued in 1927, Asbury’s now-classic account chronicles the violent, colorful, and often astonishing criminal underworld of 19th-century New York City — from the Five Points and the Bowery to river pirates and political corruption. Written in a vivid narrative style rather than academic prose, the work blends journalism, folklore, and documented history into one of the most influential studies of urban crime in America.

This edition is bound in its original tan cloth with black stamped spine decoration featuring a stylized lamppost design and title panel. A clean, handsome example of a book that has remained culturally significant — later inspiring Martin Scorsese’s film adaptation decades later.

Illustrated throughout with black-and-white plates and reproductions of period imagery, including depictions of notorious figures and gang scenes.

A cornerstone work for collectors of:

• New York City history
• American crime history
• Prohibition-era and underworld studies
• Early 20th-century Americana
• Urban sociology and journalism

Condition: Good + to Very Good antique condition. Original cloth binding remains sound/tight with light shelf wear and mild edge rubbing.Pages clean.400pp.

Size: 5 1/2” x 8 1/4”

A historically important and highly readable account of New York’s underworld, increasingly sought after in early editions.