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ID #SA1233280
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£110
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1755 the Gentleman Instructed in a Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)
For sale by Harrington Antiques
for sale €129     $140
£110
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2021
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1755 the Gentleman Instructed in a Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)

18th century
Description

'The Gentleman Instructed In The Conduct Of A Virtuous and Happy Life...', origianlly published anonymously but later attributed to William Darrell. Published in two volumes in 1755. Library plate for Henry Tomkinson (1741-1822) of Dorfold Hall, Cheshire.

Both volumes are fully bound in calf leather. Hostoric binding repairs evident to both volumes. Five raised bands and gilt stamped decoration to the spines. The front board and flyleaf of Volume I is partially detached, remaining affixed to the bottom.

Library plate to the front pastedown of both volumes and written ink inscription of 'Henry Tomkinson, 1760' to both volumes. Some spotting and browning to the preliminary pages but generally the pages remain in a very good clean condition throughout.

SYNOPSIS

Written to guide the young nobleman in moral philosophy, Christian duty and personal conduct - with 'a word to the ladies'.

Part I focuses on laying down foundational religious and moral principles, steering the young reader away from vice, atheism, and libertine habits, while emphasising conscience.

Part II examines worldly distractions, pleasures, and temptations that derail a gentleman from a meaningful life, contrasting transient earthly vanities with eternal spiritual welfare.

Part III explores how inner virtue, justice, and devotion lead to true peace of mind and enduring happiness rather than superficial status or wealth

Dimensions:-

Height: 17cm

Width: 11cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Physical Dimensions
Height
17cm (6.69")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Declaration

Harrington Antiques has dated these Georgian Leather Bound Books to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1233280
Dealers Internal Reference
8020e
Dealers Notes

PAYMENT

We accept payment via debit card, credit card, Paypal, bank transfer or cheque. We also offer a 'Pay In 3' payment service through our website.

RETURNS

We are sure that you will be delighted with your purchase. Nonetheless, to ensure you have complete peace of mind, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.

The purchased item may be returned, in its original condition, within 14 days from receipt. Return carriage costs are the responsibility of the buyer. For larger pieces requiring a specialist courier service, we will arrange your return for you with the cost being deducted from the refund (this cost will never exceed the original charge paid).

We ask that a trackable signature method of shipping is used for the return of smaller items as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in transit.

Should you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Description
'The Gentleman Instructed In The Conduct Of A Virtuous and Happy Life...', origianlly published anonymously but later attributed to William Darrell. Published in two volumes in 1755. Library plate for Henry Tomkinson (1741-1822) of Dorfold Hall, Cheshire.
fig 1. A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.
fig 1. 1755 the Gentleman Instructed in a Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)

Both volumes are fully bound in calf leather. Hostoric binding repairs evident to both volumes. Five raised bands and gilt stamped decoration to the spines. The front board and flyleaf of Volume I is partially detached, remaining affixed to the bottom.

“
Library plate to the front pastedown of both volumes and written ink inscription of 'Henry Tomkinson, 1760' to both volumes.
Harrington Antiques

Some spotting and browning to the preliminary pages but generally the pages remain in a very good clean condition throughout.

fig 2. A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.
fig 2. 1755 the Gentleman Instructed in a Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)

SYNOPSIS

Written to guide the young nobleman in moral philosophy, Christian duty and personal conduct - with 'a word to the ladies'.

Part I focuses on laying down foundational religious and moral principles, steering the young reader away from vice, atheism, and libertine habits, while emphasising conscience.

fig 3. A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.
fig 3. 1755 the Gentleman Instructed in a Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)

Part II examines worldly distractions, pleasures, and temptations that derail a gentleman from a meaningful life, contrasting transient earthly vanities with eternal spiritual welfare.

Part III explores how inner virtue, justice, and devotion lead to true peace of mind and enduring happiness rather than superficial status or wealth

Dimensions:-

Height: 17cm

Width: 11cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Height
17cm (6.69")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated these Georgian Leather Bound Books to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1233280
Dealers Internal Ref
8020e
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2021

Antiques & decorative interior pieces.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Harrington Antiques Profile Page

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A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.
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Archive I A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.

1755 the Gentleman Instructed in a Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)

Archive II A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View II
Archive III A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View III
Archive IV A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View IV
Archive V A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View V
Archive VI A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View VI
Archive VII A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View VII
Archive VIII A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View VIII
Archive IX A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View IX
Archive X A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View X
Archive XI A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View XI
Archive XII A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View XII
Archive XIII A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View XIII
Archive XIV A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07552 767190
Location
Devon
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2021
Items For Sale 72
Items Sold 849
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2021
For Sale
72
Sold
849
A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.
1755 The Gentleman Instructed In A Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell (Two Book Set)
Ref: SA1233280
A two-volume set of 18th-century leather-bound books featuring gilt-tooled spine details and raised bands standing vertically.
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectAntiquarian Books
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialLeather, Calfskin, Gold Leaf, Paper
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsRaised bands, Gilt tooling, Star motifs, Lettering panels
  • SizeH 17 cm (7 in) x W 11 cm (4 in)

This two-volume set of 1750s antiquarian books comprises The Gentleman Instructed In A Virtuous and Happy Life by William Darrell. The pieces are fully bound in warm brown calfskin leather with gold leaf lettering panels, five raised bands, and gilt-tooled star motifs along the spines. Historic binding repairs, surface wear, and cracking to the leather are visible on the spines, alongside a partially detached front board and flyleaf on volume one. Each volume measures 17 cm high by 11 cm wide. These books suit placement on a bookshelf in a traditional gentleman's library, study, or living room. Collectors of Georgian literature or historical moral philosophy position them upright on open shelving or within glass-fronted cabinets to display the spine tooling and bindings. Readers engage with the text to explore 18th-century moral philosophy, Christian duty, and personal conduct as originally written for young noblemen.

Books printed during the 18th century often feature full calfskin or morocco leather bindings, raised spine bands created by sewing cords, and intricate hand-stamped gold leaf tooling along the spine.

Georgian books were typically bound using folded paper signatures hand-sewn onto linen cords. The cords were laced into thick binders boards, covered with tanned animal hides, and decorated with heated metal stamps using gold leaf.

Authentic volumes display laid paper with visible chain lines or watermarks, hand-set typography, red or marbled page edges, natural leather oxidisation, and dated title pages displaying Roman or Arabic numerals.

Leather-bound volumes are used to add warmth and texture to interior spaces, arranged vertically or stacked horizontally on bookshelves, console tables, sideboards, and desk displays.

Antique books should be kept in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and extreme heat. They should be stored upright with support from neighbouring books or bookends to maintain structural integrity.
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