Gentlemans Calling, First Edition (5 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1662 [1671]. 8vo (150 x 93mm). Three-quarter calf over marbled paper boards, spine stamped with title in gilt; (frontispiece trimmed and laid-in, edges trimmed close, somewhat browned; covers and front and back pages loose but present, corners bumped, rubbed). [xxiv] 176pp., [4]. Double-page engraved frontispiece and title, with allegorical figures Nobility and Religion and scenes in architectural frames, dated 1660, the date of the First Edition. Two additional engraved plates of prophets Jeremiah and Zedekiah. Preface initialed by Hum. H. (Humphrey Henchman, 1592-1675, Bishop of London). Bookseller's ticket to front pastedown "Sold by Robert Ogle/ Bookseller & StationeryEdinburgh"; Inscribed "Edw. Olmsted" to front-free endpaper in 18th-century hand. Bookseller's ticket John Penington & SonPhiladelphia, to front-free endpaper. This perennially popular handbook, originally published in 1660, ran through 12 editions by 1671 (the present edition) and a further ten editions were issued by 1696. Although the book is anonymous, it has been speculated for many years that one of the authors is Richard Allestree, a Royalist clergyman. Allestree was a canon of Christ Church whose loyalty was rewarded during the Restoration with the placement position of Chaplain to the King. In his lifetime, he was also credited with authorship of the influential "The Whole Duty of Man" (London: Garthwait, 1658) and "The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety." The popular 17th-century guidebook, "The Gentleman's Calling" declared that elite men should find a calling in life. The author dispensed various advice on all parts of learning; the modern and learned languages, rhetoric, philosophy, mathematics, history, antiquity, morality and divinity. This insightful treatise discusses various attributes of men, namely those "advantages" of education, wealth, time, authority, reputation and appropriate conduct. The work was variously attributed to Lady Dorothy Pakington (d.1679), Richard Sterne (c.1596-1683), and Allestree's biographer, Bishop John Fell (1625-1686). Includes a section titled "Private Devotions" (pp. 167-176) with separate title with imprint London, 1663. Early edition of this manual for proper gentlemanly conduct and self-improvement. A good copy, complete with engraved extra title-page. Wing A1112A.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. FULL OLD BROWN CALF FIRST EDITION GOOD.

Hard Cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Hardback, full-calf, rebacked with gilt title and bands to spine. New end-papers. 16.5cm x 10.5cm. [28], 175pp, [1]. Double engraved title page and 2 additional engraved portraits. 1st edition 1660. Early previous owner's details to title page and later owner's name to front blank. A little wear to extremities. Scarce. (dr5).

Condition: Scarce. First. p.p. 165 plus 2 pages of ads. Fine contemporary crimson morocco with gilt central panels and elaborate tooling. Raised bands and gilt compartments. Many characteristic features of Irish 17th century bindings. Tiny loss of top spine.

First edition. First edition. Engraved title vignette of a burning ship and 4 engraved plates. [20], 452, [24], 166 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Wing A-1097. Provenance: P. Goring (name dated 1669 on front free endpaper); Henry B. Wheatley (bookplate) Contemporary English black goatskin, tooled in gilt with a triple fillet outer border enclosing a double fillet border and a floral roll tool, floral hand tools at corners, spine in six compartments elaborately gilt, gilt edges (some restoration to joints) Engraved title vignette of a burning ship and 4 engraved plates. [20], 452, [24], 166 pp. 1 vols. 8vo.