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Green’s Dictionary of Slang

boldface adj.

brazen, impudent; used as a term of address and n., a shameless individual.

1593		T. Churchyard Churchyard’s Challenge 226: Beare rule stood stiffe, and kept his betters out, / Boldface thrust in, throw thickest prease and throng,.
1599		H. Porter Two Angry Women of Abington G3: Well bold-face, but I meane to make yee stay.
1647		L. Andrewes Of Episcopacy 29: Nor am I such a boldface, as to pass sentence upon those Lights of the Antient Church,.
1650		R. Heath Clarastella 42: Boldface I wonder at thy impudence, / That dar’st affirm things so against all sence: / For shame be n’t impudent and foolish too! / And think all men are fooles ’cause you are so!
1670		S. Patrick A third part of the friendly debate 83: [T]here being two things which this Boldface affirms [...] he will say neither of them for any good, but looks on them as dangerous Positions.
1695		M. Misson A new voyage to Italy 43: Hark ye, Mr. Turnkey, whither so fast, you boldface you?
1709		Cibber Rival Fools I i: Why how now, Boldface! Is that your Manners to interrupt a Gentleman when he’s private.
1741		‘Conny Keyber’ Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews 13: Why how now Saucy Chops, Boldface, says he.
1785		Hist. of Peter and Betteries frontispiece: A Fierce and Dangerous Combat with Betteries Boldface his Wife.

In phrases

play boldface (v.) (also play brassface)

(W.I./UK black) to pretend to be braver or more confident than one is; to put on a bold face to mask one’s guilt.

1952		S. Selvon ‘Calypsonian’ in Bim V 17 in Selvon (1989) 146: The best way is to play brassface [...] and walk out cool. [Ibid.] 152: All you have to do is play boldface, and you could commit murder and get away free.
1956		S. Selvon Lonely Londoners 29: It all well and good to play boldface in a small place like Trinidad, but when he landin London it would be different.