Etiquette for Gentlemen, or short rules and reflections for conduct in society. By a Gentleman.
Philadelphia, [PA]: Lindsay and Blakiston, [likely 1846; no later than 1853].
Duodecimo (13 x 9 cm.), 224 pages. Chromolithograph second title page: Chesterfieldian Library: Etiquette for Gentleman, signed in the print, "T. Sinclair, Lith., Phila." Date estimate from date of companion publication, and firm name of the lithographer (starting 1853, Sinclair operated as "Thomas Sinclair & Co.". Stated second edition (see page 5). An etiquette manual, issued amidst a flood of such publications. The manual covers the standard subjects: presentations, salutations, letter writing, visits, dinners, dances, servants, travelling (sic), and more. Also includes an interesting section on "Americanisms". On class in America, the author states "we think that there is far more exclusiveness in this country, than there is in that even of England – far more than there is in France..." and "we know from observation, that there are among the respectable, in any city of the United States, at least ten distinct ranks." And there is of course geographical diversity. He states, "the test of standing in Boston, is literary eminence; in New York, wealth; and in Philadelphia, purity of blood" (from the preface). The color frontispiece is notable. "Thomas Sinclair, born in the Orkney Islands... was one of the premier Philadelphia lithographers of the 19th-century, particularly in the field of chromolithography" (librarycompany.org). ~ Blind-decorated brown cloth boards, gilt-titled spine. The chromo second title has an abrasion and stain from removal of old adhesive tape repair (with some small loss to the print). Very pale early ownership inscription and separate ink note to free front endpaper; early ink prices to endpapers; generally very good. Ex-libris "Vermont Historical Society" (with discard indication), and noted that it came to them as part of the library of Ralph W. Putnam (see page 3). [OCLC records twenty-four copies under various listings due to variation in dating this title].
Price: $300.00