CHIPPENDALE, Thomas (1718-1779). The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director. London: printed for the

CHIPPENDALE, Thomas (1718-1779). The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director. London: printed for the Author, 1754. First edition of Chippendale’s famous and hugely influential furniture design book. The Director was the most ambitious and successful pattern book issued by a craftsman and was the frst of its kind – earlier collections of furniture designs having been small-scale and intended for the trade. This frst edition was an immediate success and was followed by a second edition followed in 1755 and a third in 1762. Rothschild 614. Folio (451 x 285mm). Half-title, title in red and black, engraved dedication to the Earl of Northumberland, 161 full-page engraved plates (some faint spotting and browning, repaired tear into image in plate LXXXIV, 2 small marginal wormholes from plate CXXXIV to CLX). Contemporary reversed calf (neatly rebacked to style, slightly scufed in a few places). Provenance: Frederick du Cane Godman (bookplate).