The Book of Trades, or Library of the Useful Arts

3 vol., mixed editions, 58 copper plate engraved plates (including frontispieces), occasional spotting, ownership inscription to front free endpapers, later red morocco backed contemporary marbled boards, Vol 3 spine repaired, rubbed, 12mo, London, B. and R. Crosby; R. Phillips; Tabart and co., 1806-1811

A popular Victorian children’s book describing different potential jobs. Each of the jobs is accompanied by a fairly robust description of their duties, as well as a general expectation of pay for the young reader looking for a career. Some of the trades in this set of three volumes – for example, the tallow chandler and the wire-drawer – are charmingly archaic, while others – such as the brewer, or the watch-maker – remain remarkably unchanged. The trades concerned with book production, including bookbinder, type founder, and copper plate-printer, are of particular interest.