About this Item
A (well-protected) 1st edition biography of Richard Nash of Bath, the celebrated 18th century dandy also known as "Beau Nash" by Oliver Goldsmith. About Nash - Nash was born in Goat Street, Swansea in 1674. In 1704, he became Master of Ceremonies at the rising spa town of Bath, a position he retained until he died. He lived in a house on Saw Close (now at the main entrance to the Theatre Royal), and kept a string of mistresses. He played a leading role in making Bath the most fashionable resort in 18th-century England. His position was unofficial, but nevertheless he had extensive influence in the city until early 1761. He would meet new arrivals to Bath and judge whether they were suitable to join the select "Company' of 500 to 600 people who had pre-booked tables, match ladies with appropriate dancing partners at each ball, pay the musicians at such events, broker marriages, escort unaccompanied wives and regulate gambling (by restraining compulsive gamblers or warning players against risky games or cardsharps). He was notable for encouraging a new informality in manners, breaking down the rigid barriers which had previously divided the nobility from the middle-class patrons of Bath, and even from the gentry. About the Work - The publisher, Newberry, commissioned this work of Oliver Goldsmith, so moved Newberry at the passing of Nash. It was originally unattributed. Provenance - Duncan Davidson (1733 15 August 1799) was a Scottish merchant and Member of Parliament. He was the second son of William Davidson, of Davidston in the Black Isle, and his wife Jean. His elder brother Henry purchased Tulloch Castle from their maternal grandfather, Kenneth Bayne of Knockbain, in 1762; Duncan succeeded to the estate on his brother's death in 1781. Physical Attributes - Doubly protected, both by a folding wallet-style cloth and board wrap, and then within a 1/4 leather (with title and author in gilt on spine, with five raised cords) slip case. Book measures approx. 20 x 12.5 x 2.5 cm, octavo. Calf. Boards ruled in gilt. Pages - frontis, title, vi, 234, advertisements - iv. Condition - See pictures. Edges a little rubbed, bottom board corners turned in, joints/hinges repaired (skillfully). Flyleaf ghosted from turn-ins (oiled). Numerous bookseller marks on flyleaf and pastedown. "Duncan Davidson" on title page. Frontis start of ghosting on title page. Occasional spot (singular). Good margins. Maybe light toning on occasion. Chip at upper right corner of 163 and 165. 225 and 227 just dog-eared. Turn-in markings, from oiling the binding, extends into rear advertisement pages. Rear flyleaf, collation note (complete). Slipcase has wear.
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