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Creator:
Collings, Samuel
Title(s):

Principles of politeness.

Published/Created:
[London] : [S.W. Fores], [1791?]
Physical Description:
1 print : stipple engraving ; semi-circle, sheet 31 x 52 cm
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Folio A 2018 7k
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
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Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Related Content:
View catalog record and digital images for the Lewis Walpole Library's copy of Chesterfield's principles of politeness
Classification:
Prints
Notes:
Title from head of recto.
Printed on a semi-circular sheet of light green paper.
Catalogue of the collection of fans and fan-leaves presented to the Trustees of the British Museum by the Lady Charlotte Schreiber, 112 unmounted
Guest, C. Fans and fan leaves, collected and described by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, English 86
Unmounted fan sheet satirizing writings on politeness, manners, and social conduct by Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773). The popular writings appeared in various forms and various titles (beginning in 1774), including Principles of politeness, Lord Chesterfield's maxims, Lord Chesterfield's Advice to his son, and Letters to his son.
The recto of the sheet includes stipple-engraved images in three bands: 10 scenes in the upper band, five scenes in the middle, and 12 heads (with fashionable hats and hair) at bottom. The images show men and women in polite society, with humorous mishaps. For example, a scene captioned "L'entrée" depicts a man tripping over his cane and dropping his hat; "How to touch the inner feelings" depicts a man stepping on a cat's tail; "L'art de plaire dans la conversation" shows a young man crying out as he is bitten by a dog, while a young woman gives a reproachful glance.
The verso of the sheet includes text, in parallel columns of French and German, describing each scene. The fan may have been intended for women of high society, to show off at balls and similar social occasions.
The images used in the fan appear to be derived from Chesterfield's principles of politeness, a panoramic print (on four sheets) published by S.W. Fores on January 1, 1791. See: Lewis Walpole Library 791.01.01.01++ (link provided herewith).
Subject Terms:
Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of, 1694-1773. Letters to his son.
Conduct of life.
Courtesy.
Etiquette.
Form/Genre:
Stipple engravings -- 1791.
Fans (Accessories)
Satires (Visual works)
Contributors:
Fores, S. W., publisher.
Collings, Samuel. Chesterfield's principles of politeness.
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