The Polite Lady; or, A Course Of Female Education: in a Series Of Letters, from A Mother To Her Daughter
Philadelphia: Mathew Carey, 1798. First American edition. Leather_bound. First American Edition, so stated on the title page. 12mo. on original calf with red spine label lettered in gilt. (2), half title, title, dedication, advertisment, contents, 271 pp. + 4 pp. publisher's adverts. A BINDING COPY, both boards present but worn, front board loose, rear board detached. 3/4" loss to the head of the spine, occasional foxing to the text, more so to the first several leaves, small 1805 ownership signature top corner of the title page. A collection of letters (..."originally written for private instruction of a daughter...to form the character of a young lady..." between the mother "Portia" and the daughter, "Sophia". There are 40 letters in all, the subjects of which range from 'obedience to governess", reading, writing, cyphering, dancing, drawing, music, learning French, geography, sewing, cleanliness, friendship, conversation, dress, diverions, beauty, charity, modesty (true, false, prudery, coquetry), pride, anger, religion, etc. The book was originally published in London in 1760 and appeared in American imprint for the first time in this edition. This item is sold AS IS. Fair. Item #E21932
Price: $150.00