The Complete English Tradesman, in Familiar Letters: Directing Him in All the Several Parts and Progressions of Trade

Daniel Defoe

Published by Charles Rivington, London, 1727

About this Item

The scarce second edition of Daniel Defoe's work of practical business advice and moral guidance for the emerging middle-class tradesman of early eighteenth-century England. The scarce second edition of this work, and the first to include the separately paginated Supplement on borrowing money, discounting bills, bookkeeping and maintaining duplicate ledgers in Case of Fire.An anonymously authored work by Daniel Defoe, who was himself formerly a tradesman, in which he addresses topics such as shopkeeping, credit and debt, accounting, reputation, and the importance of industry and honesty.Defoe examines the cultural and moral dimensions of commerce, suggesting that good business practices are linked with personal virtue. He criticises extravagance, laziness, and overreliance on credit, and instead praises thrift, diligence, and modesty.ESTC T071959A-2A8, B-K8, L4. Collated, complete.With the inscription of C. C. Hassall to the front free endpaper, and of Smith to the title page head.Endpapers renewed.Defoe emphasises the social value and respectability of the trading classes, arguing that the tradesman is a cornerstone of the nation's prosperity. In a full calf binding. Front board detached but present. Endpapers renewed. Significant rubbing and losses of calf to front board perimeters, with small loss of leather to back strip head and tail. Paint mark to back strip. Rear board tenderly held by one board only. Front free endpaper and title page detached but loosely inserted. Inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Inscription to title page head. Title page age toned to perimeters. Small light tide marks to tails of title page to page 38. Small closed tears to tail of leaf following title page. Small closed tear to tail of Supplement leaf B. Pages bright, with the odd spot. Two small holes to leaf G. Half of leaf H8 lacking. Fair.

Seller Inventory # 959F25

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Complete English Tradesman, in Familiar Letters: Directing Him in All the Several Parts and Progressions of Trade
• Publisher: Charles Rivington, London
• Publication Date: 1727
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: None
• Condition: Fair
• Book Type: book