The Upholsterer's and Cabinet-Maker's Repository: Containing Seventy-Six Plates

Unusual re-issue of the engraved and hand-coloured furniture plates originally published in Ackermann's Repository of Arts from 1809 to 1822.

Complete with all 76 plates, several signed by George Smith, later Upholsterer and Furniture Draughtsman to Queen Victoria.

Many delightful illustrations of Regency furniture and interiors including curtains, draperies, beds, chairs, sofas, ottomans, bookshelves, cabinets, sideboards, ladies' work tables for sewing and embroidery, upright pianos, wheelchairs, transforming furniture, in both classical and Gothic styles.

A treasure trove of luxurious furniture manufactured for the aristocracy, drawn by various artists from actual pieces - some of which occasionally turn up for auction. Includes the cradle of Napoleon II, Pitt's cabinet globe writing table, Benjamin Crosby's revolving moveable bookcase, a "metamorphic" writing and backgammon table, George Wilkinson and Robert Wornum's upright patent piano-forte, William Pocock's reclining chair, stylish chairs by Thomas Morgan and Joseph Sanders, Merlin's mechanical chair (wheelchair), campaign beds inspired by the Duke of Wellington, etc.

Only two copies located in libraries, the Philadelphia Museum and the Smithsonian.

The plates in quarto size with larger margins than the original octavo issue in the Repository of Arts. Pages watermarked from 1827 to 1830, and previous owner's signature "Russell Smith 1836" on front endpaper.

Faded leather spine with gilt lines, original boards, corners rubbed and fraying, stained paper title label on front cover, title page and 76 plates in mostly very good condition with bright handcolour, a few with spotting or offsetting, binding fragile.