The Book of Trades or, Library of the Useful Arts

A delightfully illustrated guide to various arts and trades, for younger readers. Complete in three mixed volumes and with 67 copper plates representing each trade. Mixed edition set, complete in three volumes or parts. Volume I is the third edition dated 1806, Volume II is the fourth edition dated 1811, and Volume III is an undated new edition, circa dated 1816 from contemporary ink inscription.Illustrated with copper plates.Volume I and II are uniformly bound in quarter morocco with marbled paper boards (lacking front endpapers) and Volume III is bound in quarter calf with blue paper boards, with contemporary endpapers and half title.Volume I illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and twenty-two engraved plates; Volume II illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and twenty-three engraved plates; Volume III illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and nineteen engraved plates. Collated, complete.A charming series of descriptions of a variety of arts, trades and industries, intended for children's educational use. Covered here are the tools and processes behind hairdressing, shoe making, printing, bookbinding, glass blowing, basket making and much more.Advertisements to the verso of Vol III half title. Volume I and II are uniformly bound in quarter morocco with marbled paper boards and Volume III is bound in quarter calf with blue paper boards. Externally, smart, with really only light rubbing to the boards of Vol I and II. Volume III has fading to the spine and marks to the boards. Internally, Vol II title starting to work loose at tail, otherwise firmly bound. Pages with light toning and offsetting, with occasional scattered spots and a few small stains. Contemporary ownership inscriptions to the front free endpapers, Vol II frontispiece verso and head of title page. Vol I p. 29 small hole with loss to a few letters. Archival repair to Vol III p. 89. Good. …