«Merge Record #»«Title» - Susanne Schulz-Falster

Two volumes, 8vo, pp. [iv], vi, [10]-240; xvi, 263; paper slightly browned; contemporary full
marbled sheep, spine gilt, with matching gilt-lettered labels; labels and head of spine chipped, some
light staining; still an attractive set from a noble library, with blind-stamped heraldic book plate.
First pirated edition, in fact a straight reprint of the second edition of Knigge's wellknown
and highly influential compendium of manners and social conduct. A typical
representative of the Enlightenment, Knigge reconciles the aristocratic tradition of the
courtesy book such as Il Cortegiano with the value system of the developing middle
classes. He places great emphasis on marital and family life, and stresses the value of the
individual independent of rank or background.
Kayser III, 369; Knigge 25.003.
One of the Earliest Guides to London
49.
KUECHELBECKER, Johann Basilius.Der nach Engelland reisende curieuse Passagier,
oder kurtze Beschreibung der Stadt London und derer umliegenden Oerter,
denenjenigen, so dahin zu reisen gedencken, zum besten ans Licht gegeben. Hannover,
Nicolaus Förster und Sohn, 1726. $3900
8vo, pp. [xxxii], 306, [14] index, with one woodcut diagram in the text; occasional light
browning, due to paper quality; contemporary full sheep, spine decoratively gilt in
compartments; a very good copy.
First edition, uncommon, of this charming guide to the sights of London and its
surroundings, particularly designed for German students on the 'Grand Tour'.
Kuechelbecker stresses the benefit of travel when undertaken in the right spirit, well
planned and well prepared. Endless sojourns in restaurants and bars will not enhance the
educational effect of a tour, whereas the occasional visit to the opera or the theatre is
perfectly admissible.
He begins with some general information on London and England in general, with travel
information, comments on the dress sense of the English, meal times (no lunch before 3
pm) and the high price of clothing, before concentrating on the history of London, its
population and its main sights. In addition to the well-known attractions of the Tower of
London, Monument, Houses of Parliament, St Paul's and Westminster Abbey, he
includes detailed information on parks and gardens, coffee houses, banks and clubs. A
whole chapter is devoted to libraries, among them the Royal Library at Westminster
Palace, the Library of the Royal Society, Lambeth Palace amongst others, followed by
those of Oxford and Cambridge, with information on their founding history, holdings
and library buildings. He comments on the large number of bookshops and book
auctions, where whole libraries are put up for sale. Kuechelbecker gives detailed
information on the economy, the organisation of guilds, and practical economic life in
London - a special chapter is even devoted to suitable souvenirs to take home. His
insights into daily life in London make this a charming and very interesting guide to early
eighteenth century social history.
With the Hanoverians on the English throne, this guide proved popular and a second
edition was published in 1736.