The Necessary Qualifications of a Man of Fashion
London: Thomas M'Lean, Repository of Wit and Humour, 1823. First Edition. Oblong folio, 10 x 13 3/4 inches (250 x 345 mm); 12 hand-coloured engraved plates on watermarked 1824 paper, titles at top of plates with engraved descriptive letterpress at foot, tissue guards, light scattered spotting, contemporary half polished calf, marbled boards and endpapers, gilt rules and gilt title on red morocco label to spine, upper cover expertly reattached, extremities somewhat rubbed, original upper wrapper bound in.
[Tooley 204; Abbey Life 286; Bobins 642;Colas 937 (but erroneously assumed to be the second part of Egerton's 'Fashionable Bores']
Provenance : The Library of Norman Bobins.
Rare first edition.
The text and caricatures outline 12 essential traits for the ideal beau:
1 Negligence
2 Assurance
3 Confidence
4 Impudence
5 Intemperance
7 Unfeelingness
8 Forgetfulness
9 Selfishness
10 Intrigue
11 Eccentricity
12 Inconsistency
In short, the exact opposite of the desirable traits in a gentleman. Ruthlessly mocking the obnoxious manners of a certain type of young swell, the artist encourages drunkenness ("become a four bottle man . . . a walking wine cellar"), gambling, forcing one's attentions on young ladies, and attempting to seduce the wives of one's friends, all while being rude, vicious, and without empathy. Artist Daniel Thomas Egerton (1797-1842) was primarily known for his landscapes and illustrated travel books, and was an original member of the Society of British Artists. Egerton certainly knew something about cads and clearly possessed some of the "Qualifications" listed here, as he ran off to Mexico with the teenaged daughter of a fellow painter. The unfortunate couple was murdered in Mexico City, supposedly by a "robber," but one who neglected to take with him large amounts of money and jewelry.
Condition: Very good+.
Item number: 1644
Price: $5,000.00
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