The Compleat Gentleman: Fashioning Him absolute in the most Necessary and Commendable Qualities, concerning Mind, or Body, that may be required in a Person of Honor. To which is added the Gentlemans Exercise or, An exquisite practise, as well for drawing all manner of Beasts, as for making Colours, to be used in Painting, Limming, &c. - Henry Peacham, Thomas Blount 1661 - Printed by E. Tyler, London - Third impression " A superior example of one of the most important of all English courtesy books, with additional copper-engraved title page, 85 woodcut illustrations and ornamental headpieces.

The work for which Peacham (1576?-1643) will always be remembered. It was written for William Howard, Lord Arundel's youngest son, a boy of eight, to whom it is dedicated. The lad had not been Peacham's pupil; but they had met at Norwich, while the boy was a pupil of the bishop there. The book was suggested to him by M. de Ligny of Artois, who called Peacham's attention to the defective equipment of English youths in the matter of accomplishments. It is an interesting endeavour to encourage young men to devote themselves at once to the arts and athletic exercises.

A valuable survey is incidentally given of contemporary English efforts in science, art, and literature. A second impression, ‘much inlarged,’ appeared in 1626, and again in 1627, with an attractive chapter on fishing among other additions. This third edition of 1661, contained additional notes on blazonry by Thomas Blount (1618-1679); from this volume Dr. Johnson drew all the heraldic definitions in his dictionary’ [DNB].
  Provenance: Owner’s inscription of a G. Blount (apparently father and son) to title page and following page. We find no link to G. Blount and Thomas Blount who contributed the notes on Blazonry in this edition. Later item 292, in Catalogue 54, of an unknown American book dealer, the full and detailed description of which is included.

References: Wing P943. Pforzheimer Library,
English Literature, 1475-1700, 787. Heltzel, Courtesy books in the Newberry Library, 1104-05. Brunet IV, 460. Graesse V, 180. Lowndes III, 1808.

Octavo (binding size 15.3x19.1cm), pp. [2] [4 (engraved title and title page)] [4 (dedication)] [4 (to the reader)] 304 [1 (title page)] [1] [2 (dedication)] [3 (to the reader)] [1] 305-455 [1] [2].
  Finely bound in a contemporary style in recent tan sheepskin, spine lettered in gilt.   Condition: Very good to near fine, occasional light foxing, one or two stains, but generally clean throughout, spine with gentle sunning.   Ref: 111711   Price: HK$ 9,000