CHIPPENDALE, Thomas (1718-1779). The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director. London: printed for the Author, 1754.

CHIPPENDALE, Thomas (1718-1779). The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director. London: printed for the Author, 1754.

First edition of Chippendale’s famous and hugely influential furniture design book. The Director was the most ambitious and successful pattern book issued by a craftsman and was the first of its kind – earlier collections of furniture designs having been small-scale and intended for the trade. This first edition was an immediate success and was followed by a second edition followed in 1755 and a third in 1762. Rothschild 614.

Folio (451 x 285mm). Half-title, title in red and black, engraved dedication to the Earl of Northumberland, 161 full-page engraved plates (some faint spotting and browning, repaired tear into image in plate LXXXIV, 2 small marginal wormholes from plate CXXXIV to CLX). Contemporary reversed calf (neatly rebacked to style, slightly scuffed in a few places). Provenance: Frederick du Cane Godman (bookplate).

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