PEACHAM, Henry.
The Compleat Gentleman: fashioning him absolute in the most necessary and commendable qualities, concerning mind, or body, that may be required in a person of honor. To which is added the gentlemans exercise or, an exquisite practise, as well for drawing all manner of beats, as for making colours, to be used in painting, limming, &c.
London, Printed by E. Tyler, for Richard Thrale, at the signe of the Cross-Keys at St Pauls Gate, 1661.
The work offers guidance drawn from an array of classical and contemporary sources on the proper manner of speaking and writing, to the education, and pastimes such as poetry, music, and fishing expected of an English gentleman.
It was compiled by the educator and writer Henry Peacham (1578-c.1644) following a tour of continental Europe which he undertook between 1612 and 1615. 'The Complete Gentleman (1622), which Peacham finished after his return to London, is probably his best-known work, and it occupies a significant place in the history of courtesy literature. Its immediate inspiration was Peacham's conviction, arising from his continental tour, that the education of young English gentlemen was markedly inferior to that afforded to European gentry. By now the courtesy book was being addressed to an audience less markedly aristocratic, and although The Complete Gentleman was for the use of William Howard it is clear that Peacham sought popular appeal' (ODNB).
4to (19 x 15.5 cm); additional engraved title trimmed to borders and laid-down to front free endpaper verso, numerous woodcut illustrations, letterpress title with paper repair to top corner, A4 with small hole affecting a few letters and repaired closed title, occasional MS notes in pen to margins, final leaf with cancelled MS notes laid-down to rear free endpaper, slightly browned with occasional spotting, old bookseller's ticket to front pastedown, later endpapers; contemporary calf, rebacked, corners repaired, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece to spine, edges slightly rubbed; [10], 304, [8], 305-455, [1]pp.
Stock code 121382
DELIVERY & RETURNS
We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Please note that all items must be returned in their original condition, including all tags and packaging. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
The Compleat Gentleman:
XENOPHON; FIELDING, Sarah (translator).
Xenophon's Memoirs of Socrates.
1762.
A handsomely bound first edition of Sarah Fielding's translation of Xenophon's Memoirs of Socrates.
£1,250.00
WOTTON, William; BENTLEY, Richard.
Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning...
1697.
The second edition, much expanded of William Wotton's Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning, bound with Richard Bentley's Dissertation for the first time
£750.00
TYRTAEUS; MOOR, James (editor).
Spartan Lessons;
1759.
The first Foulis Press edition of Tyrtaeus' panegyric on martial spirit, Spartan Lessons, edited by the classicist James Moor
£1,500.00
CICERO; [DAVID, Henry (translator)].
Thoughts of Cicero,
1750.
The first trilingual edition in English, French, and Latin of this collection of Cicero's thoughts on religion, law and philosophy
£450.00
