Title: The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director: Being a Large Collection of the Most Elegant and Useful Designs of Household Furniture...
Author: Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779).
Publisher: Printed by J. Haberkorn for the author and others.
Publication date: 1755.
Edition: Second edition (1st edition issued in 1754).
Description: Fo. Title printed in red and black, engraved dedication, 4pp. list of subscribers, 161 copper-engraved plates (including plate 25 [bis]). Contemporary mottled calf hardcover, gilt, tan morocco lettering-piece gilt, bound and stamp-signed by Riviere.

Measures: 17.5 x 11.75 x 1.75 inches (439 x 278 mm).

Provenance: S. Hafford (18th-century signature on title page); Granville George Leveson-Gowe, second Earl Granville (1815-1891), Leader of the House of Lords (armorial bookplate, note of his sale 10/3/92); Thomas George Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook (1826-1904), Viceroy of India (armorial bookplate), Fred Krehbiel (1941-2021), former CEO of Molex.

Notes: Second edition of Chippendale's breakthrough furniture design book. The Director was the most extensive pattern book to be created by a craftsperson and the first to have a wider audience outside tradesmen. The immense popularity of the 1754 first edition and subsequent reissues increased commissions for Chippendale's firm and cemented his position as one of the most premier 18th-century cabinetmakers. ESTC T14876.