The Polite Repository, or Pocket Companion: Containing an Almanack, the Births Marriages, &c. of the Sovereign Princes of Europe. Lists of both Houses of Parliament, Officers of State Navy and Army, the Baronets of England, and various other articles of Useful Information: Ornamented with Elegant Engravings, and ruled Pages for Occurrences &c. &c.

None Stated

Published by W. Peacock 1791-1804, London, 1791

About this Item

A collection of sought after early copies of 'Peacock's Polite Repository', adorned with engravings from the original landscape drawings of Humphry Repton. Three very scarce early examples of this pocket diary issued by W. Peacock. Full limp morocco wallets, two of which are fastened with straps, with 1791 fastened with a working metal clasp. Containing useful information concerning the births and marriages of European royalty, members of the Houses of Commons and Lords, officers of state, navy and army, English Baronets, bankers name and addresses, and more. With calendar sections of the present copies filled with charming contemporary entries in pen and pencil. Each month is embellished with a landscape engraving from the original drawings of Humphry Repton, considered the last great designer of the classic phase of the English landscape garden. These drawings were engraved by John Peltro (1760 1808) and it is possible that Repton was dissatisfied with the quality of his successor"s work since he seems to have stopped providing drawings soon after Peltro"s death in August 1808. Repton himself calculated that 26,250 reproductions of his work appeared in Peacock"s. Collated, lacking frontispieces to 1791 and 1795. The print run of these pocket companions was of 7,000 copies annually, produced c1790-1870s. Full limp morocco wallets, two of which are fastened with straps, with 1791 fastened with a working metal clasp.Externally, generally smart, with marks and light rubbing to the extremities. One side of the strap to 1795 has come away. Contemporary dates inscribed to the rears of 1791 and 1795. Slight rusting to 1791 metal clasp. 1805 text block disbound from the wallet, with rear endpaper come away to rear paste down. Other two volumes are firmly bound. Pages are generally bright, with contemporary entries in ink and pencil to the calendar sections and endpapers, to be expected. Ink impression to p. 5 of 1795. Bookseller's label to front paste down of 1791. Good Only.

Seller Inventory # 1012Y3

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Polite Repository, or Pocket Companion: Containing an Almanack, the Births Marriages, &c. of the Sovereign Princes of Europe. Lists of both Houses of Parliament, Officers of State Navy and Army, the Baronets of England, and various other articles of Useful Information: Ornamented with Elegant Engravings, and ruled Pages for Occurrences &c. &c.
• Publisher: W. Peacock 1791-1804, London
• Publication Date: 1791
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: Humphry Repton; John Peltro
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Good Only
• Book Type: book