first edition
1891 · London
by [Etiquette - Napkin Folding; Anonymous]
London: Newton and Eskell, 59 & 60, Chancery Lane, 1891. Quarto in stiff, paper-covered boards (28 x 21.7 cm.), 103, [3] pages. Illustrated. Publisher's advertisements. Title from cover. FIRST & ONLY EDITION. An instructional work on Victorian napkin folding, with facing text and illustrations for forty-nine individual designs including the Fleur-de-Lis, the Tottie, the Dart Heel, the Yacht, Sugar Tongs, the Cinderella, the Prince of Wales' Feathers, and the Opera Glasses. The introduction insists that when entertaining, "the whole table may be spoiled by the napkins and their folding." Proper napkin folding "...requires practice, deftness, delicate fingering, and clean hands..." Internally sound and clean, but for a bit of light foxing. Printed paper-covered boards, over dark green, pebbled cloth. Some light wear to edges; general soil to the boards. Near very good. Small, early ownership ink stamp to front paste-down, "Claude Folley, Stweard". Rare. [OCLC locates one copy (BL)].
(Inventory #: 9371)